Thread by @NIJC

Today we released a new policy brief updating our research on @ICEgov’s immigrant detention contracting and inspection system and calling on the Biden administration to #CutTheContracts as a critical step to #EndDetention

Read it at immigrantjustice.org/policybrief/cu…

The policy brief highlights the #FirstTen detention centers @DetentionWatch is calling on the Biden admin to shut down as part of the #CommunitiesNotCages campaign:

The South Texas Family Residential Center (Dilley), Karnes County Residential Center & Hutto Detention Center, all in TX; the Berks Family Detention Center in PA; Etowah in AL; Irwin in GA; Otero in NM; ICA-Farmville in VA; and Adelanto and Mesa Verde in CA

We also talk about the corruption occurring across the ICE detention contracting system, including the ways ICE and private prison companies exploit “pass-through” contracts with local government’s to sidestep procurement laws #CutTheContracts

This system is deadly & costly: 19 people died in immigration detention in FY20. Meanwhile, @USGAO found last May that U.S. taxpayers were paying ~$20.5 million/mo in empty bed space because of @ICEgov’s corrupt and wasteful contracting practices

The corruption doesn’t just stop at the #FirstTen. There are hundreds of detention centers with ongoing contracts and horrifying inspection reports all over the country--there may even be one in your community!
freedomforimmigrants.org/map

NIJC’s Transparency Project has been using the Freedom of Information Act to request as many contracts and inspection reports as we can, with documents pertaining to over 100 facilities.
immigrantjustice.org/transparency/d…

Many of these inspection reports have been annotated to highlight violations, everything from substandard medical care to dirty facilities. Find out if there’s a detention center in your community, & get involved in the fight to #CutTheContracts.
documentcloud.org/app?q=organiza…