Women detained at an immigrant holding facility in southern Texas allege workers there have sexually abused them , including by removing them from their cells at night for sex as well as fondling them in front of others , lawyers wrote in a letter to federal officials this week . Some guards or other workers at the Karnes County Residential Center also asked sexual favors of female detainees in exchange for money or promises of assistance -- including help with their immigration cases or shelter if they are released -- the lawyers allege in the letter . The allegations were detailed in a Tuesday letter from several immigrant advocacy groups to officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security , which had hired one of America 's for-profit prison operators to run the facility . `` We call for an immediate investigation into these serious allegations of sexual abuse and the immediate protection of all women and children forced to reside in the facility , '' the letter , sent by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund ( MALDEF ) on behalf of all the advocacy groups , reads . Company denies claims , says center is 'family-friendly ' Geo Group Inc. , the company that runs the facility , told CNN it strongly refutes the allegations . `` The Karnes County Residential Center provides a safe , clean , and family-friendly environment for mothers and children awaiting required processing by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency , '' the Geo Group 's vice president of corporate relations , Pablo Paez , said . `` The center provides high quality care , and our company strongly denies any allegations to the contrary . '' ICE told CNN it could n't discuss specifics about this case . But it said it `` has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of sexual abuse or assault and our facilities are maintained in accordance with applicable laws and policies . '' `` Accusations of alleged unlawful conduct are investigated thoroughly and if substantiated , appropriate action is taken , '' the agency said in a written statement . The center is one of many in the country that hold undocumented immigrants -- many apprehended as they crossed into the United States -- as they await hearings on whether they will be deported . ICE detained 440,557 people across the nation in fiscal 2013 . The Karnes County facility can hold up to 532 detainees , and transitioned this summer from a center that housed adults to one that holds adults and children . The sexual abuse is alleged to have happened since August , the lawyers ' letter says . Wall Street bets on prison growth from border crisis . `` Numerous '' women made the allegations to lawyers representing them , and at least three center employees committed the abuse , the letter said . The letter came five days after one of the advocacy groups made other allegations about the center 's treatment of women and children . In a September 25 letter , the immigration clinic at the University of Texas School of Law asked federal immigration officials to investigate numerous complaints from detainees , including that children did n't have access to a variety of nutritious snacks between meals , that messages from attorneys were n't getting to their clients in a timely manner , and that -- although they had access to a nurse -- no doctor was on staff to handle significant medical issues such as respiratory infections and chronic illnesses . Geo Group said it refutes those allegations , as well , and that ICE personnel are at the site to ensure compliance with the agency 's family residential standards . Immigrants or refugees ? A difference with political consequences . 'Removing female detainees from their cells ' for sex . MALDEF 's letter from Tuesday accuses facility workers of `` removing female detainees from their cells late in the evening and during early morning hours for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts in various parts of the facility . '' Also , workers called detainees `` their 'novias , ' or 'girlfriends , ' `` and requested `` sexual favors from female detainees in exchange for money , promises of assistance with their pending immigration cases , and shelter when and if the women are released , '' the advocates alleged . Workers also kissed , fondled and groped detainees in front of other detainees , including children , the advocates alleged . The women reported the allegations to center personnel , but `` to date , no action has been taken to stop or prevent this abuse , '' the letter reads . The advocates further argue that the center `` provides an environment that facilitates the abuse , '' in part by having a guard roster that is predominantly male , and by allowing the guards 24-hour access to the detainees ' rooms . The letter warns the alleged harassment and `` unsafe environment '' likely violates several federal laws and regulations , and asks for a response detailing what ICE and the center will do to address the matter .
Facility staff removed female detainees from their rooms for sex at night , lawyers allege . Lawyers : Workers asked detainees for sexual favors in exchange for money , help . Advocacy groups call for investigation of Texas detention facility . Facility operator denies allegations ; ICE says such claims are fully investigated .