Act Now to End For-Profit Detention

From Amnesty International USA (http://www.amnestyusa.org):

We have a MAJOR opportunity to pressure newly confirmed Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to free the thousands of people and families unjustly held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention:

Just a few weeks ago, President Biden ordered the Department of Justice to stop using private prisons — but that order DOES NOT apply to the Department of Homeland Security, which still uses privately run facilities to detain asylum-seekers and immigrants.

It’s clear that the administration understands the neglectful, harsh, and dangerous conditions in facilities run by private prison companies. Now, it’s time to ensure that people in ICE custody are not held in privately run or owned facilities.

Send an urgent petition to Sec. Mayorkas now at https://act.amnestyusa.org/page/76798/action/1!

The vast majority of asylum-seekers and immigrants under ICE custody are held in immigration detention facilities owned or managed by private prison corporations. These companies care about one thing only — making money. The for-profit detention facilities have a well documented record of harsh conditions, negligent care, and a lack of accountability.

And no matter who runs the facility, no one should be unjustly detained. Instead of detention, the norm should be that asylum-seekers and immigrants are allowed to live in the community, supported by sponsors, community-based services, and case management programs. These are proven, compassionate alternatives that are humane, support dignity, and facilitate compliance. They also save considerable government resources.

The Biden administration has already signaled that it understands private prisons shouldn’t be used for government incarceration — now, it’s time to ensure they extend that policy to asylum-seekers and immigrants in ICE custody held in privately run facilities, too.

New administrations are often the most willing to take action in their first 100 days — which is why we’re demanding Sec. Mayorkas end the use of for-profit immigration detention facilities. Join us now »

If enough of us speak out now, we CAN win — Secretary Mayorkas is 23 days into his role, and President Biden is turning to Mayorkas and the Department of Homeland Security for their leadership.

But we need to make noise — and quickly. Each day that passes, thousands of people are held in violation of their human rights, and at severe risk of COVID-19 and other dangerous complications.