10 Sep 2024
Letter to ICE: Release the Winners
"Dear Secretary Mayorkas, Director Lechleitner, and Executive Associate Director Bible: We, the undersigned immigrant and civil rights organizations, legal services organizations, and law firms write to highlight our concerns with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (“ICE”) practice of continuing to detain noncitizens after they win fear-based relief in their removal proceedings. This problem, which occurs across ICE Field Offices throughout the country, is contrary to ICE guidance, leads to the waste of taxpayer dollars, and prolongs the unnecessary and arbitrary detention of people who rightfully should be free. In Virginia and Pennsylvania alone, approximately 100 people have remained detained after winning fear-based relief in the last two years. ... We urge you to immediately release all immigrants in ICE detention who have been granted fear-based relief to prevent further human suffering and fulfill your stated commitment to dignity and humane treatment of detained noncitizens. ... "