RAICES, Doctors for America, Brooklyn Defender Services and The New York Immigrant Family Unity Project to Host Livestream Today on Detention Conditions During Coronavirus Crisis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18th, 2020
Contact: Lucia Allain media@raicestexas.org (646) 488-5919
Jessica Ortiz 832-299-8958
RAICES, Doctors for America, Brooklyn Defender Services and The New York Immigrant Family Unity Project to Host Livestream Today on Detention Conditions During Coronavirus Crisis
Immigration Experts Demand an Immediate Release of Immigrants in Detention and a Stop to Immigration Enforcement
San Antonio, TX - Immigration experts and advocates are demanding an immediate release of immigrants who are currently in detention due to the extreme danger they face amids the Coronavirus pandemic. RAICES, Brooklyn Defenders, The New York Immigrant Family Unity Project and Doctors for America are hosting a Facebook Livestream today at 2PM CST/ 3pm EST to inform the public about the current situation we have seen inside detention centers in Texas and New York.
“RAICES attorneys are extremely concerned for the health and well being of our clients held at Karnes and Pearsall Detention Centers in Texas right now. At Karnes, there are families with children, and those at Pearsall are trans women with HIV. We are working with at least six children with symptoms of cold, cough and flu with several families complaining of inadequate testing and/or treatment. We are currently aware of 4 pregnant women and 14 babies under two years old detained there,” said Erika Andiola, Chief Advocacy Officer at RAICES.
“We know that on any given day, immigrants in detention are mistreated and that their access to medical attention is abysmal. And now, it's even worse. Our clients are being denied soap, hand-sanitizer, and even basic information as to the existence of this pandemic and how to avoid contagion. Brooklyn Defender Services has joined the advocacy community in New York State to ask that ICE release our clients under safe conditions, but they've refused. That's why we're asking the federal courts to step in. COVID-19 knows no borders or prison walls and it's in our country and our client's interest to ensure that everyone is allowed to protect themselves and keep safe during this time,” said Gabriela Domenzain, Senior Immigration Advisor at Brooklyn Defender Services.
It is clear that the most vulnerable are at risk and that an outbreak inside of detention centers is bound to happen. Despite the fact that precautions to prevent the spread of this virus in public areas have been recommended, we continuously see negligence from DHS and ICE towards our detained brothers and sisters, their families and their jail staff. We are demanding the release of all adults and children from detention and a moratorium on immigration enforcement.
As a response to this crisis, on March 14, RAICES sent a letter to ICE asking for the immediate release of all detained immigrants. We are being ignored. The United States so far refused to parole or release immigrants in detention, and has refused to delay immigrantion court proceedings for those in detention. So we will continue to fight alongside them to ensure they are free, healthy and with their families.
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RAICES’ mission is to defend the rights of immigrants and refugees, empower individuals, families and communities, and advocate for liberty and justice.
