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

Immigrant Rights Leader Ravi Ragbir and Community Organizations File First Amendment Lawsuit Challenging the Targeting of Immigrant Rights ActivistsFederal Government Agrees to Stay Mr. Ragbir’s Deportation Temporarily 

February 9, 2018

New York, NY — Immigrant rights leader Ravi Ragbir, together with the New Sanctuary Coalition of New York City, CASA de Maryland, Detention Watch Network, the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, and the New York Immigration Coalition, filed suit (Ragbir v.

Third death in Georgia immigrant detention centers in less than a year

February 1, 2018

Atlanta, GA — Immigrant rights organizations, Georgia Detention Watch, Project South and Detention Watch Network demand an immediate investigation and public release of the findings into the death of Yulio Castro-Garrido. Castro-Garrido, 33, died on Tuesday while in the custody of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being detained at the Stewart Detention Center in Georgia.

DWN slams Trump’s SOTU address on immigration

January 31, 2018

Washington, DC — In response to Trump’s divisive State of the Union address, Detention Watch Network’s Organizing Director, Danny Cendejas issued the following statement:

“Despite his claims, Trump’s mission is the antithesis of righteous. He used the address as yet another depraved call for the administration’s anti-immigrant agenda to come to fruition at the expense of immigrant lives and healthy communities nationwide.

New government report finds widespread abuse at immigrant detention centers across the country

December 14, 2017

Washington, DC — A new report released today by the Office of Inspector General (OIG), Concerns about ICE Detainee Treatment and Care at Detention Facilities, supports longstanding concerns and documentation from immigrant rights advocates about egregious conditions, abusive treatment and abysmal mismanagement at immigrant detention centers across the country.

First Death in Immigration Detention in Fiscal Year 2018

December 5, 2017

Denver, CO — Immigrant rights organizations, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Colorado, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) and Detention Watch Network (DWN) are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kamyar Samimi. Samimi, 64, died on Saturday while in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Aurora Detention Center. This tragedy marks the first death to occur in ICE immigrant detention in fiscal year 2018.

Detention Watch Network, the National Immigrant Justice Center, and United We Dream Oppose Kirstjen Nielsen’s Confirmation as Secretary of Homeland Security

December 4, 2017

In a dangerous abdication of its responsibility to good governance, the Senate appears poised to confirm Kirstjen Nielsen as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Ms. Nielsen, who has been a powerful right hand to White House Chief of Staff and former DHS Secretary John Kelly, bears direct responsibility for the abusive and harmful practices emanating from DHS under the Trump administration.

National Lawsuit Seeks to Expose Secrecy of Immigration Raids

November 14, 2017

Click here to read the lawsuit

Washington D.C. — Organizations around the country are highlighting local ICE enforcement tactics and filing a federal lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for refusing to release information regarding Operation Mega, the recent announcement of what was supposed to be the “largest raid in U.S. history.”

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