NIJC and nearly 200 organizations nationwide urge U.S. Congressional leadership to support the Federal Immigrant and Release for Safety and Security (FIRST) Act, co-sponsored by Representative Jayapal and Senator Booker. Despite the urgent call by public health experts amidst the outbreak of COVID-19, the immigration enforcement machine continues without pause. The Department of Homeland Security’s continued immigration detention and enforcement activities endanger the lives of tens of thousands of immigrants in ICE custody and present significant broader public health risks as staff come and go from facilities. The act curtails DHS’ egregious actions by reducing detention levels and civil immigration enforcement activity to protect the health of immigrants & all of our communities.
Nayna Gupta is NIJC's associate director of policy.