20,000 signatures reached
To: Acting ICE Director Matthew T. Albence
#FreeThemAll
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we call on you to immediately
release everyone in immigration detention. Jails, prisons and detention
centers are sites where people are acutely vulnerable to health
complications and the impact of outbreaks. Depriving people of their
freedom during this national health crisis dramatically increases the risk
of deaths in detention.
release everyone in immigration detention. Jails, prisons and detention
centers are sites where people are acutely vulnerable to health
complications and the impact of outbreaks. Depriving people of their
freedom during this national health crisis dramatically increases the risk
of deaths in detention.
Why is this important?
No one needs to be in ICE detention as they await their case to work through the courts. Forcing people to remain there during the coronavirus pandemic is cruel and inhumane. Along with ICE’s already horrific record of medical neglect and denying basic necessities for maintaining health and sanitation, people locked up in immigration detention are extremely vulnerable to the spread of infectious disease because they are unable to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves like social distancing and sanitizing regularly.
There have already been 10 reported deaths in ICE custody in the last six months alone, and multiple ICE officers and people detained have tested positive for COVID-19. Acting Director of ICE Matthew Albence must act now, before it is too late and the virus spreads like wildfire through detention centers. The answer is clear: release people now.
There have already been 10 reported deaths in ICE custody in the last six months alone, and multiple ICE officers and people detained have tested positive for COVID-19. Acting Director of ICE Matthew Albence must act now, before it is too late and the virus spreads like wildfire through detention centers. The answer is clear: release people now.