Pressroom

Our latest press releases on important news and events relating to immigration detention in the United States

For media inquiries contact: media@detentionwatchnetwork.org

HAPPENING NOW: U.S. Activists Arrested Protesting President Biden’s Violent Funding Request to Congress

October 31, 2023

Washington, DC – Right now, at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, seven activists representing progressive causes across the United States, including immigrant rights groups, are being arrested for demanding an immediate ceasefire and that members of Congress vehemently reject the White House’s supplemental funding request. With red paint on their hands, activists chanted “from Palestine to Mexico, all the walls have got to go!”

White House Doubles Down on Militarization and Incarceration with New Supplemental Funding Request

October 23, 2023

Washington, DC — On Friday, the White House made a supplemental funding request of $105 billion, including a $13.6 billion in border supplemental, doubling down on a policy of hyper militarization and incarceration that makes our communities less safe. Most of the funding is designated for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and while it provides some crucial humanitarian aid, a majority of the remainder of the request is for military resources through the Department of Defense (DOD).

Biden’s ICE Detention System Proves Deadly, Again

October 11, 2023

United States - Yesterday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that a 32-year-old man named Julio Cesar Chirino Peralta died in its custody. ICE had detained Mr. Peralta at the Port Isabel Detention Center in Los Fresnos, Texas, for less than a month before the day of his death on October 8. Mr. Peralta is the 12th person who has died in ICE custody during the Biden administration's first term.

The number of people in detention is at the highest level under the Biden administration at over 35K

September 27, 2023

Washington, DC – This week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released its latest data on the number of people in its custody, which reported 35,589 people are currently in ICE detention, an eight percent increase from 32,743 people that was reported on August 31.

In response to the alarming growth of people in ICE detention, Silky Shah, Executive Director of Detention Watch Network issued the following statement:

Community Presses for Permanent Closure of Prison As Operations at Farmville ICE Detention Center Extend Until September 30th

September 25, 2023

Farmville, Virginia - On September 15th, while protesters demanded the closure of ICA-Farmville in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., local town officials signed a two-week contract extension behind closed doors to continue detaining people in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center until September 30th.

Actions Across 15+ Cities Demand President Biden Shut Down Detention Centers, Release All People in Immigration Detention, and End Deportations!

September 15, 2023

Washington, DC — Today, advocates gathered in 15+ cities, including in Washington, DC as part of a national day of action demanding the Biden administration shut down all detention centers, release all people in detention, and end deportations. Partners in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region used this opportunity to call on President Biden to shut down the ICA operated Farmville detention center, one of two remaining detention centers in Virginia, whose contract was set to expire on the same day.

Activists Turn Up Pressure on President Biden Following Court Decision Betraying New Jersey Detention Ban

August 29, 2023

New Jersey - Today, U.S. Federal Judge Robert Kirsch granted a preliminary injunction against New Jersey’s immigration detention ban to private prison corporation CoreCivic. CoreCivic and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)'s contract would have originally ceased operations at the Elizabeth Detention Center on August 31, 2023, this Thursday. But following today's ruling in a case brought by CoreCivic earlier this year, the contract is now expected to extend for an additional 12 months.

One Month Until Expiration: Advocates Demand the Biden Administration End Contract of ICA-Farmville Detention Center in Virginia

August 15, 2023

Farmville, Virginia-  On September 15, 2023, a contract between Immigration Centers of America (ICA)-Farmville Detention Center and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will expire, and with four weeks left,  advocates are turning up the pressure on President Biden, Secretary Mayorkas, and ICE Executive Associate Director Staci Barrera to stop the renewal of the contract and shut down the facility for good.

DWN Statement in Solidarity with the Stop Cop City Movement

July 20, 2023

*En español más abajo*

Detention Watch Network offers this statement in solidarity with the Stop Cop City movement. As a coalition, we seek to abolish the inhumane and unnecessary immigration detention system. We understand that institutions of policing, military operations, jails, prisons, and detention facilities are interconnected, within the United States and globally. We will not tolerate attempts to expand any of these violent institutions and instead demand that we divest from these cruel systems and invest in the wellness of our communities.

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