Immigration detention centers amid the pandemic

The US detention centers belong to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE). This is the entity in charge of protecting the borders by preventing illegal immigration, reviewing merchandise entering the US, and regulating cases of immigrants detained in its facilities.

Due to the massive outbreak of Coronavirus in the US, hundreds of immigrant rights advocates have warned about the risk present in detention centers as they could become hotbeds of the virus.

As of today, more than 1,800 positive cases of Coronavirus have been officially reported in immigration detention centers around the country.

It is important to clarify that this figure does not include ICE workers who have also tested positive in the COVID-19 exam.

Why are these centers epicenters of the virus?

Over the past few months, there have been hundreds of testimonies from detained immigrants denouncing the conditions in which they live in ICE centers.

Immigrants argue that:

• ICE employees are not following the mandatory hygiene protocols established by the government and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• There is not enough space to have the required social distance to avoid a massive outbreak of Coronavirus.
• There is no access to soap, hand sanitizer, protective masks and gloves.
• Bathrooms are not always in adequate hygiene conditions.
• Immigrant rights advocates have attempted to make donations to protect detainees, but senior ICE officials have not received the donations.
• There are not enough medical personnel to help during possible health emergencies.
• ICE employees are also unprotected and do not know the hygiene protocols.

This is why communities of immigrant rights advocates have made several protests in front of detention centers around the country calling for the release of immigrants who pose no threat to society.

Group of activists calls for the release of immigrants in Chicago

The Immigration Detention Center in South Chicago, Illinois has reported that more than half of the detainees are infected with Coronavirus.

This is a giant threat to many of the immigrants residing there, as some of them have underlying diseases that make them more susceptible to contagion from the virus.

Dozens of activists have filed various legal complaints calling for the release of detainees with vulnerable health, arguing that they pose no threat to society and that ICE can perfectly monitor them outside of immigration detention centers.

In addition to that, they claim that immigration services are delayed and detainees must now wait longer than normal, further compounding the situation and risk.

Activists demand the release of:

• People with underlying health problems.
• Pregnant women.
• People with respiratory problems such as asthma, sleep apnea, inter alia.
• People over 50 years old.

Court rule in favor of immigrants

The immigrant cases presented in the state of Illinois have been reviewed by several judges in the country and immigrants have been released during the health crisis.

That is very hopeful news for thousands of immigrants residing at ICE facilities and waiting their turn to file their immigration request.

For specific cases, please click here. 

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