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A Closer Look at OIDO infographic

Image: A Closer Look at OIDO infographic
A Closer Look at OIDOOIDO is an independent office within DHS and is dedicated to promoting and supporting safe, and humane conditions for people in DHS custody. We’re proud to be an independent, objective, and credible resource for everyone impacted by immigration detention. OIDO’s mission is clear.OIDO conducts inspections and case manager operation in ICE and CBP facilities nationwide, provide recommendations for facilities and services, assist with complaints about potential violations of detention standards or misconduct of DHS personnel, and propose solutions to improve conditions for immigration detainees. Every day, we help bring about positive change in America’s immigration detention system. In 2022, we fielded many complaints and requests from immigration detainees regarding health, safety, mental health, living conditions, and other issues. Every day, OIDO works with facility staff to help address detainees’ complaints, concerns, and needs, such as a need for blankets, toothbrushes, fresh water, and other essentials; improvements in food quality; sound quality and privacy in videoconference areas; and access to legal libraries and medical personnel as needed and more. We’re accessible to all concerned. OIDO personnel field requests from immigration detainees and their loved ones; friends, family, and community members not in custody; and legal counsel and/or immigration detainees’ representatives. We speak their language. OIDO can help connect detainees with translation and interpreter services for specific languages and dialects, helping detainees better understand and navigate their time in custody. In 2022, OIDO assisted with languages such as Spanish, Russian, Turkish, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese Mandarin, Haitian Creole, Wolof, Arabic, Somali, Armenian, Gujarati, French, and Farsi. OIDO professionals work toward individualized solutions, facility-level improvements, and broader systemwide change. Our experts work in a variety of fields, including medicine, mental health, psychology, social work, pharmacology, detention conditions, and environmental health and safety. In 2022, OIDO staff completed hundreds of facilities visits across the United States, including inspections and visit with detainees. We published our inspection findings in seven reports. We’re working towards results. As of 2022, OIDO addressed more than 6,000 cases brought by immigration detainees.  (DHS Graphic by Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO)/Released)