Statement by: Somos Seattle, Yakima Immigrant Response Network, National Immigrant Justice Center, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network, Familia Trans Queer Liberation Movement, Santa Fe Dreamers Project, La Resistencia, Yakima Pride, Traction, Seattle Democratic Socialist of America Yakima, WA 1/28/2020: At around 9AM today in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody arrived at the Yakima Air Terminal on a flight chartered by ICE and then transported to the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC), in Tacoma.
Immigration detention has no place in Washington State, or anywhere else. We believe that immigrants belong with their families and communities. In addition, for Transgender immigrants detention means harrasment and violence at the hands of officers and others inside the detention center. The LGBTQ Immigrant & Refugee Coalition in Washington state and our national partners demand that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) come into compliance with the recently enacted 2020 Appropriations Act by immediately releasing all transgender people currently in ICE custody.
Earlier this week 90 organizations led by the Translatina Coalition and the National Immigrant Justice Center came together to demand that ICE release all transgender immigrants. The letter highlights recent language in the report accompanying the 2020 spending bill requiring ICE to come into compliance with its own 2015 guidance regarding the detention of transgender immigrants, which it has failed dismally to do. This congressional directive, therefore, obligates ICE to immediately release all transgender individuals currently in its custody.
Trans & Queer immigrant detainees and activists have documented the malicious and targeted abuses transgender migrants suffer in custody. Ranging from transphobic harassment to sexual assault to medical negligence and even death, ICE continues to target and detain transgender people while failing to meet even its own minimal standards of care as set by its 2015 directive.
How To Take Action
1) Donate to the Commissary and the Fair Fight Bond Fund #EndTransDetention Fundraising Campaign:
2) Mobilize folks on Saturday February 1st from 1:30PM - 3:30PM for the Shutdown Rally Outside NWDC (FB Event HERE) and/or Organize a solidarity day at the Detention Center (1623 E J St, Tacoma, WA 98421)
Learn more about the #ShutdownNWDC campaign and endorse as an organization or group here. Or, help us spread the word and get other groups to endorse!:
3) Integrate the Ban Private Prisons Bill (HB 2576 | SB 6442) or other campaign-related activities into your organizational efforts (eg lobby days, member meeting).
4) Sign & share this petition as an individual to demand that Tacoma City Council declare NWDC a chronic public nuisance and shut down the detention center once and for all:
5) Having a sponsor who is willing to provide housing and support for at least 6 months makes it more likely that an asylum seeker can be released on bond to fight their asylum case with greater access to legal support, medical care, and community. Could you be one of those sponsors? Fill out the sponsor interest form here:
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