US migrant detentions soar despite Biden’s campaign promise

President vowed end to prolonged' detention but number of detainees has more than doubled since end of February

Alexander Martinez says he fled from homophobia, government persecution and the notorious MS-13 gang in El Salvador only to run into abuse and harassment in America's immigration detention system.

Since crossing the US-Mexico border unlawfully in April, the 28-year-old has bounced between six different facilities in three states. He said he contracted Covid-19, faced racist taunts and abuse from guards and was harassed by fellow detainees for being gay.