WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic U.S. lawmakers are asking the Department of Health and Human Services for explanations following allegations that immigrant teenagers were handcuffed and beaten in federal custody.
Seventy-seven House members signed a letter Tuesday from Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia demanding answers about allegations of abuses reported by The Associated Press and other news organizations.
Sworn statements from six Latino teens described incidents from 2015 to 2018 under the Obama and Trump administrations at the Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Center in Virginia.
The center says allegations that minors were handcuffed, shackled and beaten by guards are unfounded.
The Trump administration says it takes its responsibility to care for immigrant teens seriously, but officials have refused to discuss specifics.
Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam has ordered an investigation into the facility in his state.
