Coalition calls on Biden to stop ‘inhumane’ immigration practices

Advocacy groups point out that despite campaign promises, Biden administration has seen increase in enforcement, detention, and surveillance

WASHINGTON – More than 80 advocacy groups have joined together to organize protests in eight states and the nation’s capital, Washington, calling on the Biden administration to close all federal immigration detention facilities.

They are also demanding the release of detained immigrants and a halt to deportations.

This initiative, under the banners “Defund Hate” and “Communities Not Cages,” is a response to President Joe Biden’s earlier campaign promise to create a humane and just immigration system. 

The coalition pointed out that despite campaign promises, the Biden administration has seen an increase in enforcement, detention, and surveillance.

By July 2023, over 90% of detained immigrants were being held in facilities run by private prison companies, which are making billions in profits.

In addition, at least 11 people died in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during Biden’s tenure.

The tragic death of 8-year-old Anadith Tanay Reyes Álvarez in CBP custody was cited as an example of the failure of the system.

Advocates, including Guerline Jozef of the Haitian Bridge Alliance and Jovanny Hernandez of the Southern Border Communities Coalition, stressed the U.S. responsibility to uphold its democratic values and protect immigrants’ rights.

They criticized the current treatment of immigrants and the extensive funding of detention centers.

Luba Cortes of Make the Road New York argued that immigrants should have the opportunity to handle their cases with dignity outside of detention centers and called on President Biden and Congress to redirect funding to improve communities rather than punish immigrants.