Thread by @DetentionWatch

Today, we’re launching the “First Ten to Communities Not Cages” campaign, demanding the shut down of 10 immigration detention centers during the first year of the Biden administration.

Learn more about the campaign: detentionwatchnetwork.org/take-action/co… #FirstTen #CommunitiesNotCages 1/15

Biden has yet to address ICE’s detention system.

2020 was the deadliest fiscal yr in ICE custody since 2005. W/ detention #'s currently at their lowest in 20 yrs, #FirstTen to #CommunitiesNotCages underscores the urgent need to close detention centers & release people now. 2/15

#FirstTen is the next phase of DWN’s national #CommunitiesNotCages campaign to shut down ICE detention centers, stop the expansion and construction of new facilities & ultimately abolish the detention system in its entirety.

Visit our action toolkit: bit.ly/FirstTenCNC 3/15

The #FirstTen facilities are emblematic of how the immigration detention system as a whole is inherently abusive, unjust and fatally flawed beyond repair.

ICE’s detention system does not need to exist. #CommunitiesNotCages 4/15

The #CommunitiesNotCages campaign works with local community organizations to end detention and build a better future for all.

People navigating their immigration case should be able to do so with their families and loved ones, not behind bars.

Learn about the #FirstTen👇 5/15

Facility #1: Adelanto Detention Center in Adelanto, CA

ICE has circumvented local efforts to shut down the facility despite evidence from California’s Department of Justice and DHS’s Office of Inspector General decrying conditions inside. #CommunitiesNotCages #FirstTen 6/15

Facility #2: Berks Family Detention Center in Leesport, PA

In 2014, a guard at the facility pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 19-year-old mother and asylum applicant. #CommunitiesNotCages #FirstTen 7/15

Facility #3: Dilley Family Detention Center in Dilley, TX

In the last two years, one child tragically died after leaving the facility and a guard was accused of physically assaulting a 5-year-old. #CommunitiesNotCages #FirstTen 8/15

Facility #4: Etowah Detention Center in Gadsden, AL

People detained at the facility have no access to outdoor recreation, prolonged or indefinite detention regularly occurs and the local sheriff has suspended the visitation project. #CommunitiesNotCages #FirstTen 9/15

Facility #5: Farmville Detention Center in Farmville, VA

A COVID-19 outbreak last year resulted in 93 percent of people detained testing positive, the largest outbreak in the detention system to-date. #CommunitiesNotCages #FirstTen 10/15

Facility #6: T. Don Hutto Detention Center in Taylor, TX

ICE circumvented local efforts to shut down the facility despite a history of abuse including multiple sexual assaults by guards & forced labor allegations currently in litigation. #CommunitiesNotCages #FirstTen 11/15

Facility #7: Irwin Detention Center in Ocilla, GA

In 2020, a whistleblower and women detained at the facility exposed gynecological procedures happening without informed consent. #CommunitiesNotCages #FirstTen 12/15

Facility #8: Karnes Family Detention Center in Karnes City, TX

Numerous studies have shown the psychologically damaging effects of family detention.
#CommunitiesNotCages #FirstTen 13/15

Facility #9: Mesa Verde Detention Center in Bakersfield, CA

In response to ICE’s mishandling of COVID-19, up to 200 people at Mesa Verde launched a hunger strike in April 2020 with a petition titled, ”Detention into Death Sentence.” #CommunitiesNotCages #FirstTen 14/15

Facility #10: Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral, NM

Throughout the pandemic, Otero has been one of the ICE facilities with the most confirmed positive COVID-19 cases. #CommunitiesNotCages #FirstTen 15/15