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US Drugging Foreigners for Deportation

More than 'last resort,' practice violates international standards

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted May 14, 2008 1:40 PM CDT

(Newser) – The US government injects hundreds of illegal immigrants with dangerous psychotropic drugs to keep them sedated while being deported, the Washington Post reports. The so-called "pre-flight cocktail" often leaves detainees so incapacitated they need a wheelchair to get onto the plane. Used far more often than the "last resort" it's advertised as, the practice violates some international human-rights codes.

The Post found one instance in which an Ecuadoran man was held down and drugged while an officer stood above him and taunted, "Nighty-night." Detainees often receive booster doses throughout the flight, and can be disoriented for weeks following their arrival in their home countries.

Alma Pena holds a sign as she participates in a May Day march and rally in downtown Los Angeles to call for immigration reform Thursday, May 1, 2008, in Los Angeles.
Alma Pena holds a sign as she participates in a May Day march and rally in downtown Los Angeles to call for immigration reform Thursday, May 1, 2008, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
The US government injects illegal immigrants being deported with dangerous psychotropic drugs without their permission.
The US government injects illegal immigrants being deported with dangerous psychotropic drugs without their permission.   ((c) yanivba)
Kevin Prada, 12, an American citizen whose Peruvian father Wilbert Prada was deported by ICE last year participates in a May Day rally in downtown Los Angeles Thursday, May 1, 2008.
Kevin Prada, 12, an American citizen whose Peruvian father Wilbert Prada was deported by ICE last year participates in a May Day rally in downtown Los Angeles Thursday, May 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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