Pressroom

Our latest press releases on important news and events relating to immigration detention in the United States

For media inquiries contact: media@detentionwatchnetwork.org

First Death in Immigration Detention in Fiscal Year 2018

December 5, 2017

Denver, CO — Immigrant rights organizations, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Colorado, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) and Detention Watch Network (DWN) are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kamyar Samimi. Samimi, 64, died on Saturday while in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Aurora Detention Center. This tragedy marks the first death to occur in ICE immigrant detention in fiscal year 2018.

Detention Watch Network, the National Immigrant Justice Center, and United We Dream Oppose Kirstjen Nielsen’s Confirmation as Secretary of Homeland Security

December 4, 2017

In a dangerous abdication of its responsibility to good governance, the Senate appears poised to confirm Kirstjen Nielsen as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Ms. Nielsen, who has been a powerful right hand to White House Chief of Staff and former DHS Secretary John Kelly, bears direct responsibility for the abusive and harmful practices emanating from DHS under the Trump administration.

Immigrants’ rights advocates call on Congress to defund hate

November 21, 2017

WASHINGTON — Today, the Senate made public the details of the 2018 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, including funding to expand President Trump’s persecution of immigrants. In response, Detention Watch Network Policy Director Mary Small issued the following statement:

National Lawsuit Seeks to Expose Secrecy of Immigration Raids

November 14, 2017

Click here to read the lawsuit

Washington D.C. — Organizations around the country are highlighting local ICE enforcement tactics and filing a federal lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for refusing to release information regarding Operation Mega, the recent announcement of what was supposed to be the “largest raid in U.S. history.”

Advocates across the country are demanding ICE be held accountable for deaths in immigrant detention

October 30, 2017

Washington, DC — For the second year in a row, Detention Watch Network (DWN) and immigrant rights advocates nationwide are marking the Latin American holiday, Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, with national actions. DWN members will host at least 15 vigils and actions from DC to Los Angeles starting Saturday, October 28 and concluding on November 6.

Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Government Transparency Against Private Prison Corporations

October 10, 2017

Today, the Supreme Court denied a petition by private prison corporations seeking to block the release of government documents about their immigration detention practices. In a case brought by the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and Detention Watch Network (DWN), under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a federal district court ruled in July 2016, that the government must release details of its contracts with private prison corporations.

Immigrant rights group rejects Trump’s Immigration Principles

October 9, 2017

Washington, DC — Executive Director of Detention Watch Network, Silky Shah responds to Trump’s ‘immigration principles’:

“In yet another attack on immigrants, Trump’s nativist ‘immigration principles’ are dangerously draconian. If implemented they would jeopardize the lives of hundreds of thousands of families and further erode democratic values.

We reject Trump's plan to use DACA recipients as bait to pull Congress into a negotiation built on a nativist and white supremacist agenda.

Trump’s egregious ‘immigration principles’ calls for:

Representatives Smith and Jayapal Introduce Legislation to Reform Deeply Flawed Immigration Detention System

October 3, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, legislation to reform the systemic problems in our immigration detention system.

Immigrant Rights Group denounces ICE retaliation against sanctuary cities with sweeping nationwide raid

September 29, 2017

Washington, DC — Detention Watch Network denounces Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) operation ‘Safe City’ that targeted sanctuary cities with nationwide raids impacting nearly 500 individuals, their families and their communities.

The following is a statement by Danny Cendejas, Organizing Director of Detention Watch Network:

Trump Plans Massive Raids on Immigrant Communities Starting Mid-September

September 7, 2017

Washington, DC — Detention Watch Network (DWN), the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), National Immigration Law Center, United We Dream (UWD) and the Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) condemn Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) plan to conduct a nationwide immigration enforcement operation from mid- to late-September.

Pages