People are uniting to protect immigrant family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors by calling to shut down existing detention centers and blocking ICE proposals to build new ones as part of the Communities Not Cages campaign.
The Communities Not Cages campaign amplifies the longstanding local organizing of Detention Watch Network (DWN) members, advocates, and allies across the country, while building a nationally coordinated strategy to stop the expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention, shut down facilities and ultimately abolish the detention system in its entirety.
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If you want to unite for the rights of immigrants, the Communities Not Cages Campaign is a great place to start. ICE’s detention centers are everywhere, which makes federal policy a local issue in communities nationwide. At Detention Watch Network, we can connect you with community organizing already happening in your area.
Want to connect or have questions? Contact program@detentionwatchnetwork.org
How to Support the Campaign
- Spread the word. Follow Detention Watch Network on social media (Bluesky, Instagram) and use #CommunitiesNotCages to join the conversation.
- Join a local campaign. Are you nearby one of these facilities and want to learn more about local organizing? Email program@detentionwatchnetwork.org and we will connect you to local campaigns leading shut down efforts.
Read the #FirstTen to #CommunitiesNotCages Report
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First Ten to Communities Not CagesDetention Watch Network’s 2021 “First Ten to Communities Not Cages” effort provided the Biden the administration with a roadmap of where to immediately begin facility shutdowns. The “First Ten to Communities Not Cages” report details the history of abuse at each of the 10 detention centers and the communities uniting together to shut them down.
Learn More about the Campaign
Local Campaign Highlight: Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice’s #ShutDownAdelanto Campaign
Learn more at Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice
ICE Immigration Detention Expansion Map
This map depicts the massive expansion of the immigration detention system detailing: the expansion of existing facilities, new facility construction, facilities opened in 2018 and Bureau of Prisons facilities. See the map key for more information on the top left hand corner.
Campaign Materials and Art
- Campaign Explainer
- Communications Toolkit
Messaging, factors that affect your media coverage, interviewing 101 and influencing your targets via op-eds and LTEs