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We need your immediate action, John.
Too many children and their parents — who came to the U.S. seeking safety from violence and persecution — were instead thrown behind bars in ICE detention. Now, in the midst of a global pandemic, they are exposed to a deadly virus and an increased risk of COVID-19 infection — while in crowded conditions with inadequate hygiene and negligent medical care.
Paola* and her one-year-old son, Jose*, are the faces of ICE’s cruelty and disregard for the health and wellbeing of children and parents during this pandemic.
They fled horrific abuse at the hands of Paola’s kidnapper and domestic abuser in Guatemala. While detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Donna tent facility in Texas, they slept on the floor with a mat and aluminum blanket — with air conditioning blasting in the tent.
Jose — a baby who has respiratory issues — quickly became very ill and tested positive for the flu. After he developed breathing problems in medical isolation in another CBP facility, he was sent to the hospital for five days and put on a machine to help him breathe. Now detained by ICE in the Dilley facility, Jose has deteriorated again — suffering a cough and restricted breathing.
URGENT: Add your name to tell ICE to free families — including Paola’s — in ICE detention and protect them during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Detained families face grave risks — including illness and even death — if exposed to COVID-19 in immigration detention facilities. Amnesty International teams have received credible and very disturbing accounts from people detained in dangerous conditions in ICE immigration detention facilities.
Paola and Jose — and other families in detention — must be immediately released! They have communities waiting to welcome them, and there is no reason not to release children — as young as one — with their parents... especially during a pandemic.
This is an outrage. Please add your name to help advocate for families like Paola’s. Take immediate action right now.
Thank you for your swift action today, and be well.
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