The Washington Post this week is publishing a series of explosive investigative articles highlighting the systematic failure of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to provide the staffing and resources needed to properly care for immigrants in its custody.

The articles profile many of the deaths and illnesses that have resulted from this neglect and link to numerous internal ICE documents and correspondence that show even jail staff are panicked about the low quality of care they are providing detainees.

Not only have these articles, and last week's New York Times story, blown the top off the major problems with health conditions in immigrant detention, but they also have provided an opportunity for members of Congress to move some legislation for positive reform. In addition to the House Detainee Basic Medical Care Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren last week, two more bills are expected to be introduced soon. We'll update on those once they are introduced.

Meanwhile, read part one and part two in The Washington Post's four-part series. You can also watch parts of last night's related 60 Minutes story. And read more about the U.S. immigrant detention system at NIJC's Know the Truth page.