Sherburne County Jail Investigates Assaults Against Immigrant

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A series of alleged sexual assaults against an 18-year-old high schooler being held for immigration authorities in the Sherburne County jail highlights an emerging problem of sexual abuse of immigration detainees across the country.

The jail houses 85 immigration detainees for the federal government. Many haven't been charged with crimes but are comingled with prisoners serving time. Since the attack, the jail has separated immigration detainees from other prisoners.

Besides the criminal case, Sherburne County is also investigating whether the jail staff's actions or inactions contributed to the offense. It's prompted by a new federal law designed to stem sexual abuse of immigrant detainees.

The American Civil Liberties Union found nearly 200 allegations that detainees were abused in detention facilities nationwide from 2007 to 2011.