From Amnesty International USA (http://www.amnestyusa.org):
Yesterday, we received a very good news: three-year-old Josué and his mother Teresa were released from Berks County Detention Center after spending over 600 days in detention. Josué is only three, and has spent half his life in Berks County Detention Center, learning to walk and talk while there.
“[Josué] was dancing and shouting, ‘I’m free! I’m free!”
-Teresa, Josué’s Mother Teresa & Josué have suffered severe physical and sexual abuse in their home countries, and the same is true for Antonio, Carlos, Michael and their mothers Marlene, Lorena and Maribel*. These families have spent over 600 days in detention, and we fear for their mental and physical health.
Michael is a child from Central America who was threatened with death if he did not join a gang. After his friends were killed for refusing to join gangs, he fled Central America with his mother to seek asylum in the USA.
Many of the residents of Berks County Detention Center are seeking asylum from extreme violence in their home countries. They only want to live their lives in safety and peace. It is inhumane for the United States government to hold these families for months on end with no timeline for release.
Take action now and urge ICE to release these families from detention.
We are thrilled that Josué and his mother are released, and we need your help to give hope to the other families that continue to be stuck in limbo at Berks County Detention Center. Help us stop them from reaching 700 days in detention now.
*Names have been changed for privacy.
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