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

This week in immigration detention – detention deaths, targeting children, and expanded detention capacity – including the first new detention center under this presidency in New Jersey

February 27, 2025

Washington, DC — This week, the Trump administration’s cruel, multi-layered immigration detention expansion plan moved full steam ahead with the news of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention contract approvals in Ohio, New Jersey, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. This comes the same week the administration launched a concerted effort to target unaccompanied children, and a week after the tragic death of Maksym Chernayak, 44, who died in ICE custody on February 20 in Florida.

Esta semana en la detención de inmigrantes– muertes bajo custodia, haciendo un blanco de niñes, la capacidad de detención expandida, incluyendo el primer centro de detención nuevo bajo esta presidencia en Nueva Jersey

February 27, 2025

Washington, DC — Esta semana, el plan cruel y multidimensional de la administración de
Trump para la expansión de la detención migratoria ha seguido adelante viento en popa con
noticias de aprobaciones de contratos del Servicio de Inmigración y Aduanas (ICE por sus siglas
en ingles) en Ohio, Nueva Jersey, Nevada, Oklahoma, y Mississisippi. Esto sucedió la misma
semana que la administración lanzó un esfuerzo dedicado a enfocarse en menores sin
acompañamiento, una semana después de la trágica muerte de Maksym Chernayak, 44, que

Three deaths in ICE custody in just over a month of Trump’s presidency marks the most deaths to occur in this fiscal year time period in five years

February 26, 2025

United States – This week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported the death of Maksym Chernayak, 44, who died in ICE custody on February 20 after being detained at the Krome Service and Processing Center in Florida. Chernakyak’s tragic passing marks the third reported death in ICE custody since Donald Trump assumed the presidency. Serawit Gezahegn Dejene, 45, died on January 29 in ICE custody after being detained at the Eloy Detention Center in Arizona, and Genry Ruiz Guillen, 29, died on January 23 after being detained at the Krome Service Processing Center.

Over 200 Civil & Human Rights Organizations Representing Millions of Americans Demand Congress Reject Funding for Abusive Detention Expansion

February 25, 2025

Washington, DC — This week, over 200 human rights organizations focused on advancing immigrant and racial justice, safeguarding democracy, and protecting our civil rights and liberties, sent a letter to Congress. In the letter, the organizations demanded Congress reject funding for the Trump Administration’s extreme and unprecedented multi-pronged expansion of the immigrant detention system. Trump’s plans would more than triple the size of immigration detention to detain over 120,000 people, including U.S. citizens and families.

Homan and Miller Beg U.S. Senate for Billions More in Taxpayer Dollars to Carry Out Mass Cruelty

February 20, 2025

Washington, DC — This week, both chambers of Congress are moving forward a budget process to supercharge President Trump’s agenda. Today the Senate will consider a budget resolution that will propel the reconciliation process forward with a bill that focuses on immigration and defense spending. At the same time, the House of Representatives is working toward its resolution that combines immigration, defense and taxes, among other things, into one resolution.

Notorious Alabama detention center to re-open three years after its celebrated closure

February 5, 2025

Washington, DC — This week at the National Sheriffs’ Association’s annual conference, Sheriff Jonathan Horton said the Etowah County Jail (Etowah) in Alabama will soon detain people in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. With a capacity of over 865 beds, Etowah has not detained people in ICE custody since ending its contract in March 2022 amidst longstanding criticism and well-documented abuse.

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