Our latest press releases on important news and events relating to immigration detention in the United States
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Washington, DC – Today, 383 organizations sent a letter to President Biden demanding an official policy terminating family detention amid reports the administration is considering reviving the widely condemned practice.
Nationwide — When the COVID-19 pandemic began, immigrant rights advocates raised the alarm over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) putting the lives of people in detention at even more risk. As the federal government declares this public health emergency over, calls are intensifying for the Biden administration to address an array of cruel immigration detention practices and policies. Local communities across the country are proposing state legislation that would end ICE facility contracts as a step toward shutting down detention centers entirely.
San Diego, California —The Free Them All San Diego Coalition, the Mami Chelo Foundation, and Detention Watch Network are demanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immediately investigate and release findings related to the death of Cristian Dumitrascu, a 50-year-old man from Romania. Mr. Dumitrascu died on March 5 while detained at the San Diego ICE Otay Mesa Detention Center. Immigrant justice advocates are demanding the facility shut down and that ICE release everyone detained in the wake of this tragedy.
Washington, DC - In response to New York Times reporting that the Biden administration is considering reviving the practice of family detention, Setareh Ghandehari, Advocacy Director of Detention Watch Network issued the following statement:
Washington, DC - Today, over 170 organizations sent a letter to the Biden administration demanding an end to all Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention contracts expiring in 2023.
Jena, Louisiana — Today, news broke of a hunger strike at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center with an estimated 300 people kicking off the strike by refusing their breakfast on Monday and demanding their release from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility run by the second-largest private prison corporation, The GEO Group (GEO Group).
Washington, DC – Yesterday, President Biden announced several new restrictive immigration policies that further undermine the asylum process, expand inhumane Title 42 expulsions, and increase the use of expedited removal. In response, Setareh Ghandehari, Advocacy Director of Detention Watch Network, issued the following statement:
Marysville, California — Today, the Yuba Liberation Coalition and Detention Watch Network celebrate the news that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will cut the contract for the Yuba County Jail (Yuba) in California.
Berks County, Pennsylvania — Today, the Shut Down Berks Coalition and Detention Watch Network are celebrating the news that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will cut the contract for the Berks County Detention Center (Berks) in Pennsylvania on January 31, 2023.
Washington, DC — Today, 114 immigrant and human rights groups delivered a letter to the White House urging the Biden administration to immediately close Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers, prevent the development of new detention sites or expansion of existing ones, and cut funding for immigration detention from Congress.
