A judge had already ordered the visit of external specialists

Immigration detention centers are overseen by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is one of the main branches of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

These centers constantly receive immigrants who are detained trying to cross the borders of the US without prior authorization or who managed to cross the borders and are currently residing in the country without legal documentation.

Due to current immigration policies and restrictions implemented by the Trump administration, ICE facilities are overcrowded and do not always have adequate hygiene conditions.

Since the arrival of the global Coronavirus pandemic in the North American territory, these detention centers have attracted the attention of hundreds of activists and immigrant rights advocates, who assure that these facilities could easily become hotbeds for the virus, which actually happened.

One of the most concerning cases is the Farmville detention center, in Virginia, where more than 90% of immigrants tested positive for the COVID-19. In fact, according to official ICE figures, 339 people have been infected in this detention center since the arrival of the pandemic.

That is why, in August 2020, a judge intervened and ordered outside specialists to inspect the Farmville detention center and find possible causes for the current health emergency. With outside specialists, we refer to experts who do not belong to any federal entity and who, therefore, do not intend to protect and support the protocols implemented by border forces or the Trump administration.

External investigation results come to light

On Friday, September 4, 2020, the official report of one of the experts in charge of inspecting the sanitary conditions of ICE’s immigration detention center located in Farmville, Virginia was released.

Broadly speaking, expert Homer Venters assures that ICE does not follow strict protection, hygiene and health protocols. In fact, Venters states that federal employees do not periodically screen detainees for symptoms or traces of Coronavirus, which increases the risk of another massive outbreak.

In addition to that, he recommends that ICE release, even temporarily, immigrants who have underlying health conditions that make them more vulnerable to get the COVID-19 and possibly have severe complications that could be fatal.

The expert assures that inside ICE’s facilities there are “multiple and systematic deficiencies (…) that represent a significant health risk for high-risk patients.”

ICE has yet to respond to this official report presented to the judge in charge of the case, but it will surely have to send its officials to an upcoming hearing.

Illegal immigration is not the answer

We understand that some immigration processes are often lengthy. However, choosing the legal path will always bring positive repercussions as you will be able to work, support your family, apply for social benefits and avoid the constant worry of deportation or detention by ICE.

In addition to that, there are multiple options available for your immigration case, perhaps all you need is to have the constant accompaniment of experts, who can help you choose the process that suits your current immigration needs.

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.