Thread by @CAPimmigration

📣NEW: In order to save lives & flatten the curve of #COVID19, federal immigration officials should follow local law enforcement leaders adopting smart criminal justice policies to preserve public health.
americanprogress.org/?p=481865

Federal immigration officials should:
▶️Issue a formal statement prohibiting certain enforcement actions
▶️Reduce immigration arrests & focus exclusively on significant threats to public safety
▶️Release vulnerable & low-risk detainees from custody

In recent weeks, local jurisdictions have taken important steps to prevent the spread of the #Coronavirus in prisons and jails.

In Cuyahoga County, Ohio law enforcement officials have adopted several policies to decrease the local jail population.

https://twitter.com/TomJawetz/status/1239623536144191489?s=20

Police departments in LA county have reduced the number of people arrested each day, choosing to issue citations rather than booking individuals into the jail system.
buzzfeednews.com/article/salvad…

The San Francisco district attorney and public defender are both working to release from custody pretrial detainees who might be at heightened risk of health complications due to #Coronavirus.
theappeal.org/coronavirus-sa…

31 prosecutors across the country signed a statement with similar policies they will pursue to reduce current jail populations & incarcerate fewer people moving forward. Full letter⬇️⬇️
fairandjustprosecution.org/wp-content/upl…

In light of persistent health care & sanitation concerns at immigration detention facilities, the @ACLU and @NWIRP recently sued to secure the release of their detained clients with complex medical needs.
aclu.org/press-releases…

Federal immigration officials must implement significant changes not only to protect the lives of detained individuals as well as facility staff, their families, and their communities, but also to help fight community spread of #COVID19.