#Thread: The news of forced hysterectomies at a private ICE prison in GA has shocked the nation.
Even more shocking, however, is how routine medical abuse is at these immigrant prisons, including those run by private prison companies where transparency is beyond zero.
In CA, the vast majority of people in ICE custody are jailed at private prisons. @AGBecerra MUST investigate these facilities to hold GEO & CoreCivic accountable.
Through our free detention hotline, we have been documenting instances of medical abuse & neglect. This is just some of what we've heard from people detained at private, California ICE prisons since the #COVID19 pandemic has started:
Adelanto: "I have an eye issue that started in detention, because of the chemicals. A doctor prescribed me eye drops. But the problem is the medical department in here refuses to give me the eye drops. I need my eyes to read. Right now they are watering so much that I can't."
Otay: "I was recently in solitary confinement for 14 days because I tested positive for #COVID19. During this time I had trouble breathing & didn't receive any requested medical attention. I didn't see a doctor during the 14 day period. They only gave me hot water to drink."
Imperial: "Because of COVID 19 we have to use chemicals to clean. They are too strong and we are spraying a lot during the day. I and some more people have an allergy already. We have pimples on our chest and our skin is itching. Sometimes it's hard to breathe."
Adelanto: "Medical appointments and follow ups are not being honored. A lot of information is being suppressed. What is presented to the outside world does not reflect life inside Adelanto. They have taken measures that are just for show."
Imperial: "I haven't been tested for #COVID19. I have chest pain....the solution that has been in use here to attack the Coronavirus is really strong. My chest hurts, my face is swelling really bad. It's really hard to breathe inside here."
Adelanto: "I suffer from asthma and have to use inhalers daily. I also suffer from chronic headaches, my vision is blurry. I was given Tylenol and a shot for the headaches. I was denied requests to see doctor."
Adelanto: "The chemical they are spraying causes a terrible reaction on our skin. When we ask for medical assistance they just give us some cream to put over it. The spray also hurts our airways. When I blow my nose, blood comes out."
And this is only what has been reported to us. There countless stories of neglect & abuse that must be investigated. It’s become patently clear that ICE cannot keep people safe. We must #FreeThemAll to save lives.
📢Now is the time to end New York’s complicity with immigrant detention! 🧵 thread + 📝 statement from 75+ groups on why we need to pass the #DignityNotDetention Act:
COVID-19 exacerbated the dangers of ICE detention, which has *always* been inhumane. 2020 was the deadliest year in detention since ‘05, with 21 deaths - and over 10K COVID cases. #DignityNotDetention
People in ICE detention in New York state have reported lack of PPE & hygienic materials, and the use of solitary confinement as “quarantine” - total lack of basic public health. #DignityNotDetention
1. #DignityNotDetention prohibits NY State government from entering into immigration detention contracts & prohibits them from receiving any payments related to immigration detention.
2. #DignityNotDetention prohibits New York state from renewing any existing immigration detention contracts.
BREAKING: Freedom for Immigrants and 9 partner orgs submitted a civil rights complaint against the Glades County Detention Center in Florida. Link to the full CRCL in comments. freedomforimmigrants.org/news/shut-down…
With 25 testimonies, it details atrocities happening inside Glades, including: ICE’s failures to follow court orders to release individuals; retaliation for protests and public reporting; use of toxic chemical spray in enclosed spaces; hospitalizations, deaths, and disappearances
The complaint demands ICE terminate its contract with Glades County and immediately release all people detained at the facility.
Our National Detention Hotline received a disturbing call from a Black immigrant in an ICE prison who had experienced physical abuse at the hands of the guards.
Hotline volunteers acted quickly to file a civil rights complaint on his behalf.
In an interview, our Director of Visitation Advocacy Strategies, Sofia Casini, highlighted the connection between the abuse of Black immigrants in ICE prison with abuse at the hands of law enforcement.
Casini stated, "Our nation just went through a year of examining the ways people in authority harm Black people while claiming, 'I was at risk. This person was a threat' — people who are Black and unarmed and at their mercy."
The complaint was submitted on behalf of 3 Cameroonian asylum seekers at Winn Correctional Center who were physically assaulted, choked, beaten and handcuffed in attempts to force their signatures.
One of the men has tested positive for COVID and another has been exposed to COVID. All 3 face life-threatening consequences if deported to Cameroon. #FreeThemAll#BlackLivesMatter
This morning, we @ Freedom for Immigrants and @DetentionWatch Network delivered a letter to @POTUS on behalf of 217 groups demanding President Biden address COVID-19 inside immigration detention by releasing everyone within the first 100 days #FreeThemAll
Our organization has documented at least
199 instances of retaliation at 49 detention facilities since the onset of the pandemic, underscoring the systemic nature of this abuse. You can follow our up-to-date COVID-19 reporting at freedomforimmigrants.org/covid19
Throughout the pandemic, the average length of detention has increased–meaning that people are trapped in prolonged detention in these lethal conditions. As a result, FY 2020 was the deadliest year in ICE detention since 2005, with 21 reported deaths, eight due to
COVID.