John - I wanted to give you an update since my email last week. I reached out with an urgent ask to support the National Immigrant Justice Center's (NIJC) efforts to get people out of immigration jail amid the COVID-19 outbreak. There have since been more than 70 positive coronavirus cases confirmed in the detention system, and the virus continues to spread. People trapped inside immigration jails are particularly vulnerable, detained in close contact with others and with terrible medical care. The situation is getting worse, but our efforts are working and more people are getting released!

Many of you responded to the call to action and generously donated to free people from immigration jail so they can go home to their families. Last week, NIJC filed lawsuits on behalf of three people detained in Kankakee, Illinois, including a heart attack survivor who cares for his wife with significant medical needs, a father of three who is awaiting a decision on his green card application, and an 18-year-old who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Within days, a judge ordered that two of the three must be released.

Your donation now will help free more parents and loved ones from deadly detention as the coronavirus spreads in jails.

Thanks to the support of many of you, NIJC’s team continues to fiercely advocate, alongside members of Congress and medical experts, for the release of individuals from immigration jails as quickly as possible so they can be reunited with their families and communities. Since the coronavirus outbreak, NIJC has won the release of more than 13 people. But, many more remain unnecessarily locked up. Our work will not stop until we reunite them with their families.

Please give now to free more people from detention so they can reunite with their families and communities where they can be safe.

The past several weeks have been difficult for everyone. As your generosity helps others, please take care of yourself and your loved ones – especially during these challenging days.  

With gratitude,
Mary Meg McCarthy
Executive Director, National Immigrant Justice Center