The imminent risk present in immigration detention centers

The Trump administration’s immigration policies have led to mass detention of undocumented immigrants currently residing in the US or who attempt to cross the country’s borders without legal authorization.

Over the past couple of years, immigration detention centers have become substantially overcrowded due to restrictions implemented by the Trump administration and delays in the country’s immigration processes.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in charge of detention centers. Its duties include, but are not limited to:

• Protect borders from illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
• Supervise merchandise entering the US.
• Oversee immigration detention centers around the country.

The current problem is that since immigration detention centers are overcrowded, the massive outbreak of Coronavirus is alarming and the number of immigrants infected is increasing exponentially.

Our Blog section keeps you up to date with the US immigration news.

Immigrant rights advocates warned about this risk

Since the global COVID-19 pandemic reached the US, hundreds of activists and immigrant rights advocates had warned about the risk in ICE detention centers.

They tirelessly called on border forces and the Trump administration to implement safety and hygiene protocols as soon as possible to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in ICE facilities.

They argue that the risk is mainly because:

• Immigration detention centers usually house hundreds of people, increasing the risk of a massive Coronavirus outbreak due to lack of space to have the necessary social distancing.
• There are not enough care supplies such as protective masks, gloves, anti-fluid gowns, inter alia.
• There are not enough medical personnel to assist detained immigrants in the event of a massive health emergency.
• Detainees do not bathe daily and do not always have access to toilets in adequate hygiene conditions.

Therefore, ICE received the warning before the first case of Coronavirus was known among detained immigrants.

The number of deaths from COVID-19 increases in detention centers

Official figures show that there are already 19 people who have passed away under the supervision of ICE in immigration detention centers during the health crisis.

In addition to that, there are several detention centers around the country where more than half of detainees have tested positive for the Coronavirus.

In fact, in one of our most recent articles, we talked about how the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had to step in and send a team of 10 specialists to mitigate the impact of the global pandemic in one of ICE’s detention centers.

The situation is quite alarming for people who are under the supervision of ICE, not only because of the risk to their health, but because they will possibly face deportation proceedings.

Do you need help with a deportation case? Contact Motion Law Immigration and follow experts’ advice.

Avoid risky situations

Illegal immigration may be a path that seems “easy”, but in reality, it brings multiple negative repercussions such as a deportation case, a temporary ban to the US, legal proceedings and detention in ICE centers.

Therefore, the best alternative will always be to follow legal advice of specialists, who can guide you correctly towards the success of your immigration application.

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.