A federal judge recently demanded ICE release children from their family jails immediately, writing that they are “on fire” with COVID-19. While the federal judge originally ordered the release of children from these jails by July 17, she only has jurisdiction over the children in these jails — not their parents or caretakers. The deadline to reunite families has been extended to July 27th. It’s up to all of us to speak out to demand the release of these children and their families, and support organizations providing critical legal services to try to free the families. These legal service providers on the frontlines are vital because ICE may use this court order to attempt to tear children away from their parents again, as they did only a few weeks ago.
As of July 3, 2020 there were 87 kids in Dilley living with their parents in the three U.S. family detention facilities (in Texas and Pennsylvania). Two out of three of these facilities have reported COVID-19 outbreaks, so it’s urgent we act fast to get these families safely released, together.
Here are three organizations providing critical services to free these families. Please donate to them today:
ALDEA - Aldea - The People’s Justice Center provides quality pro bono legal and social services to vulnerable detained and free immigrant populations throughout Pennsylvania, and offers universal pro bono representation to every family detained by ICE in the state. Aldea also participates in important and impactful litigation nationwide to protect immigrant children and their families. ALDEA is working to free the families currently in ICE detention.
Proyecto Dilley - Proyecto Dilley provides free legal services to asylum-seeking mothers and children who are detained at the largest ICE detention facility in the country, the South Texas Family Residential Center. Proyecto Dilley represents every family that is detained in Dilley, Texas and is fighting to keep families together and safe from COVID-19.
Haitian Bridge Alliance, Inc. (HBA) also known as “The BRIDGE” is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that advocates for fair and humane immigration policies and provide migrants and immigrants with humanitarian, legal, social services, with a particular focus on black migrants, the Haitian community, women & girls, LGBTQA+ individuals, survivors of torture and other human rights abuses. HBA provides direct services including but not limited Rapid response Humanitarian assistance to Black immigrants and asylum seekers from the Caribbean and Africa and other assistance at the U.S.-Mexico border, in U.S. detention, and during U.S. immigration proceedings. We focus on Direct services, organizing and advocacy. We work to elevate the issues that Black migrants are facing to build more solidarity and collective movement toward policy change.
Groups on the ground are fighting to make sure the judge’s order is followed and that families can remain safe and together. Donate today to organizations providing critical legal services to children and families in detention. Help them #FreeTheFamilies.