Increase in the number of immigrants infected with COVID-19

Immigration detention centers are a major threat for the massive spread of Coronavirus.

The number of infected people at the facilities of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) increases every day.

Concern grows among the detained immigrant community and immigrant rights advocates. Thet demand government help to mitigate the impact of the pandemic in detention centers.

It is important to remember that the threat is not just for detained immigrants but also for ICE employees and their families.

Contagion figures

The current figures show the increase of infected people in ICE facilities.

• The current number is 77 for people infected within the ICE facilities. This figure does not show the results of the tests that have been carried out in the last days.
• The Otay Mesa detention center currently has the most amount of people infected, with a total of 19 people who tested positive for COVID-19.
• 7 federal ICE employees are infected at the Otay Mesa Detention Center as well.
• The Batavia Detention Center has 7 immigrants infected. This is the result of tests carried out in just one day. That means that the actual number must be higher now.

COVID-19 and minors

When the Coronavirus appeared in the world, it seemed that it was only affecting the elderly, however, recent evidence shows that anyone can be infected and even have symptoms.

According to the immigration policies implemented by Trump’s government, minors who arrive at the borders must be taken to juvenile detention centers and remain in charge of the US Government until they receive a response for their immigration cases.

Inside the juvenile immigration detention centers there are also cases of Coronavirus.

• Juvenile shelters located in Chicago have 37 immigrant children infected with COVID-19.
• The figures for the rest of the juvenile shelters have not been published yet.

This is a giant alarm for the US government because they must take care of minors while they receive a response for their cases.

Government actions

Trump’s administration has taken several emergency measures to protect immigrants and ICE employees.

• ICE officially announced that they will release all immigrants who are most vulnerable to contagion.
• The government suspended temporarily all the requests for asylum and refuge in the country to prevent overcrowded immigration detention centers.
• People who attempt to cross borders illegally are deported almost immediately.
• ICE ordered supplies of masks and disinfectant to protect detainees and employees.
• Face-to-face appointments from the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) are currently suspended.
• Almost 700 immigrants have been released from detention centers.

The government hopes that these measures will mitigate the impact of the coronavirus at all ICE facilities around the country.

In times of crisis the best we can do is help each other to overcome the current situation. It is important to have the correct guide for immigration process to avoid inconveniences.

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.