Detention Watch Network

Campaigns

• Tell Congress: Cut funding to ICE and CBP

  The Trump Administration is seeking billions of dollars for the southern border wall, border technology, and more agents. Each of these asks is unacceptable. The wall is a hateful symbol of exclusion, and coupled with increased technology, will further militarize and surveil border communities. CBP agents and officers are at the front lines of Trump’s aggressive family separation policy and operate with little to no accountability for the abuses and terror that they inflict upon those arriving to our border and those that live in border communities. ICE detains hundreds of thousands of immigrants behind bars every year. This oppressive, inhumane and deadly system of detention continues to grow bigger, less transparent and less accountable. ICE continues to overspend their appropriated funds while counting on bailouts from Congress. All the while they are expanding detention and becoming increasingly secretive about their work. Hunger strikes, reports of physical and sexual abuse, and retaliation against those that speak out highlight the worsening conditions and opposition to treating immigrants with dignity. CBP and ICE have shown that more funding leads to more harm. Increasing funding to either of these agencies is unworthy of discussion. We demand that you stop the growth of the harmful detention and deportation machine and support significant cuts to ICE and CBP.

  333 of 400 Signatures

  Created by Mary Small
• Orange County Board of Supervisors: say NO to more ICE beds at Theo Lacy Facility and end the con...

  Repeatedly, horror stories about conditions for immigrants detained at Theo Lacy Facility have been exposed through stakeholder inspections and complaints submitted to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties by brave, directly-impacted persons, with detailed accountsof physical abuse, threats, retaliation and gravely inadequate medical care. A recent inspection by DHS’ own Office of Inspector General found showers full of “trash, mildew, and mold” and that the facility was serving “slimy, foul-smelling lunch meat” that appeared to be spoiled. Despite retaliation, conditions inside the facility are so dire that immigrants detained at Theo Lacy have gone on hunger strike twice in the last year and a half. The Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) has continuously proven to be unfit to detain anyone; no one should have to suffer under these conditions. It is unconscionable that either ICE or OCSD are even considering an expansion when serious life-threatening problems are wide-spread and continue unaddressed inside the facility. Because of these horrific conditions, and the continued risk of detention and deportation for our families and community members, we demand that Orange County Board of Supervisors say NO to an increase to ICE bed spaces and terminate the contract with ICE at Theo Lacy Facility.

  502 of 600 Signatures

  Created by Mary Small
• #DefundHate NJ

  In his 2018 proposed budget, Trump has requested A LOT more money to fund the detention and deportation of immigrants, including: • funds to hire new ICE and Border Patrol agents to terrorize our communities, • more local police to focus on immigration enforcement, • a massive increase in immigrant detention—the equivalent of locking up the entire population of New Orleans over the course of a year, • $1.6 billion to build a southern border wall, and • further border militarization including aircraft and surveillance technology At the same time, the administration is seeking drastic cuts to vital housing, education, nutrition, and health care programs that help communities grow and thrive together. Trump has also already made the decision to take away DACA, putting at risk hundreds of thousands more to detention and deportation. Congress is taking action on this budget right now. The bill which recently passed the House of Representatives gives Trump almost all of what he asked for, even though ICE and CBP have put the detention and deportation machine on steroids, regularly lie, hide information from the American public, and retaliate against anyone who speaks out. It's now up to the Senate to make sure that Trump does not get the resources to launch his hate-fueled attacks on immigrants. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker is a leading voice in the Senate and advocate for progressive immigration, criminal justice, and education reform. We believe he is in the position to be a progressive champion in opposing the immigration enforcement budget and to influence how much taxpayer money will end up going towards Trump’s anti-immigration agenda. We are asking you to sign this petition in order to tell Senator Booker that his constituents in the state of New Jersey want: 1) For Senator Booker to publicly call for significant cuts to the detention and deportation machine. 2) For Senator Booker to be a voice within the Senate for divesting from the detention and deportation machine and investing in healthcare, education, and housing programs and other vital programs.

  41 of 100 Signatures

  Created by Mary Small