The worrying situation of immigration detention centers

In one of our most recent articles, we talk about the order that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) received from a federal judge to test people detained in an immigrant center.

ICE is the branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in charge of overseeing immigration detention centers around the country and ensuring the protection of the US borders.

Due to current immigration policies, ICE has detained large numbers of undocumented immigrants in recent years. They are normally taken to detention centers, where they must wait for their deportation proceedings to be completed.

As a result, these centers are currently overcrowded and the massive outbreak of Coronavirus has generated anguish among immigrant rights advocates and activist organizations.

For instance, one of the most concerning cases is the immigration detention center based in Bakersfield, where it was confirmed on Friday that almost half of the detainees tested positive for the Coronavirus. This happened after the federal judge’s order to conduct the tests in this facility.

The results were so alarming to the judge in charge of the case, Vince Chhabria, that he ordered a new round of Coronavirus testing.

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Judge orders Coronavirus tests again

Judge Chhabria ordered a new round of Coronavirus testing for all detainees and employees of the Mesa Verde immigration detention center.

In fact, the judge stated: “I’m ordering that it be done immediately, and nobody stop working until they’re completed.”

The judge also openly argued that the massive Coronavirus outbreak within ICE facilities could have been prevented if the agency had reacted effectively and on time, but that on the contrary, the agency displayed “deliberate indifference”.

In addition to that, the judge declared that the third-party contractor managing the center also has the responsibility to care for and protect the health of both detainees and ICE’s employees.

The judge ordered that ICE must continue to test for Coronavirus weekly and continuously report the results obtained to the court.

Other than that, the federal agency must demonstrate that it is implementing new hygiene and protection protocols to prevent another massive outbreak within its facilities. Also, ICE must endeavor to keep infected people in isolation, in order to protect the rest of detained immigrants and employees.

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Protect your family’s future

ICE immigration detention centers house people who tried to cross the borders of the US without prior authorization and were detained, as well as people who managed to cross the borders and are currently residing in the country without legal documentation.

The reality is that migrating unlawfully does not have any positive repercussions. In addition to that, the US offers multiple options for you and your family to migrate legally.

Therefore, the most viable solution, especially in these times of crisis, is for you to have the help of experienced attorneys, who can guide you towards the success of your immigration application.

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.