The Immigration and Customs Enforcement office (ICE) was accused by immigrant advocates of transferring some 60 immigrants in her custody on Sunday, July 24without informing their relatives or lawyers, or specifying where they would be taken.
This was reported by the organization Envision Freedom, which warned that defenders received calls from immigrants inside the Orange County Correctional Center, a county jail in Goshen, New York, to accuse the transfer.
“The people who called alerted the defenders that the jail was conducting tests for COVID-19 and that ICE officials were preparing to transfer them to other detention centers.
They add that ICE’s decision was surprising, “seemingly overnight”to move about 60 people early on Monday.
“ICE has not notified family, friends or attorneys that their loved ones and clients have been transferred or where they will go”, it was denounced.
Advocates charge that these abrupt transfers alienate immigrants from their families and attorneys in New York, making their defense and protection more difficult.
“I am calling on behalf of those who are still in OCJ in Housing D1 to let the public know that we are being transferred without warning… We are all scared and angry, because they keep us in the dark as if our lives don’t matter. They are giving us 20 minutes to call our loved ones and lawyers, but nobody knows anything,” said one of the inmates who managed to make a call to file a complaint.
Tania Mattos, director of advocacy and policy for the Envision Freedom Fund, expressed concern about ICE’s actions, especially separating inmates from their families.
“Instead of facing the public outcry to free those inside Orange County, ICE cowardly chose to work in the shadow of its unchecked power and alienating New York immigrants from their support systems,” he lamented.
Cynthia Galaz, senior policy associate at Freedom for Immigrants, also joined the claim against the immigration agency.
“ICE has a history of completing massive transfers in an attempt to crush organizing within detention and spread fear in our communities,” he said. “People have the right to stay close to their loved ones, legal representation and support networks.
Several other civil organizations joined the claim, such as the Dignity No Detention coalition, which also includes groups such as Showing Up for Racial Justice – NYC Chapter, Queer Detainee Empowerment Project, New York State Youth Leadership Council, New York Lawyers For The Public Interest , Rochester Rapid Response Network, Center for Constitutional Rights, Democratic Socialists of America – New York Chapter, Catholic Charities, Survived and Punished New York, Freedom For Immigrants, and The Bronx Defenders.
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