Groups Call for Closure of Detention Centers for Undocumented Immigrants Citing Human Rights Violations
Numerous organizations advocating for immigrant rights and family members of undocumented immigrants held in the United States are urging President Joe Biden’s Administration to shut down all detention centers for undocumented immigrants. These groups deem the centers to be dehumanizing, immoral, and dangerous.
During a press conference in Coral Gables, Florida, Democratic Congresswoman Dotie Joseph expressed her concerns about the perception of detention centers. She noted that these facilities unfairly equate undocumented immigrants with war criminals, despite the fact that they are not criminals at all.
This call to action against the detention centers, which are managed by private corporations but fall under the responsibility of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE), aims not only to demand closure but also to seek a reduction in funds allocated to federal immigration agencies. As part of this campaign, a protest took place in front of the White House, featuring a puppet representing President Biden, symbolizing discontent with his immigration policies and alleged broken promises.
In Florida, various organizations highlighted the harsh conditions faced by undocumented immigrants, particularly at the Baker County Detention Center in the northern part of the state. The center has been marred by instances of abuse and mistreatment, including medical negligence, sexual assault, violence by guards and sheriffs, and even instances of forced sterilizations and racism. César Flores, a legal assistant at Americans for Immigrant Justice (AIJ), stated that civil groups are exploring legal actions against the center.
Congresswoman Joseph firmly believes that these detention centers are comparable to prisons for undocumented immigrants. She stressed that not only have forced sterilizations taken place, but anyone who reports the dire conditions faced by detainees becomes a target of retaliation. She emphasized that regardless of their origin, all human beings deserve to be treated with dignity. She also reminded everyone that undocumented immigrants are primarily asylum seekers fleeing instability and life-threatening risks in their home countries.
The organizers of the national campaign highlighted the alarming number of deaths that have occurred in ICE custody during President Biden’s term. This includes the tragic case of eight-year-old Anadith Danay Reyes-Alvarez, who lost her life on May 17.
The demand for the closure of these detention centers and the exposure of human rights violations shed light on the need for comprehensive immigration reform. Advocacy groups are striving to ensure that undocumented immigrants are treated fairly, with respect for their rights and dignity. By pushing for reform and an end to the mistreatment and abuses experienced by detainees, they aspire to create a more just and compassionate immigration system within the United States.
