** Border Angels Weekly Newsletter
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** Border Angels Update
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We are now part of the National Bail Fund Network!!!

The National Bail Fund Network is made up of over sixty community bail and bond funds across the country.

The community bail and bond funds that are part of the Network are dedicated to being an organizing tool aimed at ending pretrial and immigration detention

Our Familias Reunidas Bond Program is listed in their directory!!

Check out their directory,
[link removed][UNIQID]#california
We continue to provide much needed support to Tijuana and Mexicali shelters.❤

Continuamos brindando muy necesario apoyo a los albergues de Tijuana y Mexicali.

Gracias Emily!

We are so grateful to have you as part of our Border Angels team!

At every event you have joined us, you have shown a maturity and kindness that we admire. At 11 years old, the compassion that you have for the work we do is amazing and makes us hopeful.

We thank you for all that you have done, we cannot wait to see what the future holds for you!

New bond release!!
We are excited to announce we have posted bond for another individual! He is now able to self-isolate and be free from the enormous COVID-19 threat at the Otay Mesa Detention Center.

We thank you for your continued contributions and urge you to help us spread the message! This pandemic becomes all the more life threatening when these individuals do not have the freedom or means to follow preventative methods and social distancing. We will not abandon our folks in detention, we recognize it is imperative to get as many of them out as possible!

We will not stop until we
#freethemALL ([link removed][UNIQID]) and #closethecamps ([link removed][UNIQID]) .


** Border Angels in the News
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"We had been lucky no one had died yet. But now, this is just the beginning." -Dulce Garcia, Executive Director of Border Angels.

With the devastating news of the first COVID-19 related death confirmed in the Otay Mesa Detention Center, Border Angels board member and immigration attorney Kirsten Zittlau and Dulce Garcia were able to comment on the injustice and fear that many face while being held in the OMDC.

Carlos Escobedo Mejia's death was 100% preventable.

#FreeThemAll ([link removed][UNIQID]) #CloseTheCamps ([link removed][UNIQID])

"Habíamos tenido suerte de que nadie hubiera muerto todavía. Pero ahora, esto es solo el comienzo."- Dulce Garcia, Directora Ejecutiva de Border Angels.

Con la devastadora noticia de la primera muerte relacionada con COVID-19 confirmada en el Centro de Detención de Otay Mesa, miembro de la mesa directiva de Border Angels y abogada de inmigración Kirsten Zittlau y Dulce García pudieron comentar sobre la injusticia y el miedo que muchos enfrentan mientras están detenidos en el Centro de Detención de Otay Mesa.

La muerte de Carlos Escobedo Mejia era 100% prevenible.
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Executive Director Dulce Garcia sent in a letter to the editor in response to the man who showed up to a Von's grocery store wearing a KKK hood.


Our immigrant community already feels the constant attacks by this administration and this incident is yet another painful reminder of why we cannot stay silent when we hear hate perpetuated so blatantly.

Take a look at the article that explains more of the story.

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** Exigen evacuar el centro de detenciones de Otay Mesa
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Tras la muerte de un inmigrante, familiares temen más contagios

Por Manuel Ocaño

"Tanto la ACLU como la directora ejecutiva de la organización Ángeles de la Frontera, Dulce García, temen que si el centro de detenciones no actúa pronto, así como los contagios se multiplicaron en abril y la primera semana se mayo, también se podrían multiplicar los fallecimientos de migrantes."

***


** They demand to evacuate the Otay Mesa detention center
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After the death of an immigrant, relatives fear more infections

By Manuel Ocaño

"Both the ACLU and the executive director of the Ángeles de la Frontera organization, Dulce García, fear that if the detention center does not act soon, as well as infections spread in April and the first week in May, deaths could also multiply of migrants."

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Border Angels has learned that Carlos Ernesto Escobar Mejia, a 57-year-old Salvadorian man, has died in ICE custody while imprisoned at the Otay Mesa Detention Center, operated by CoreCivic, a Private-For-Profit prison. Detainees at the CoreCivic operated Detention Center face life threatening conditions, as at least 200 ICE Detainees have tested positive for COVID-19. The Otay Mesa Detention Center has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the US.

Today's COVID related death is further evidence of ICE's inhumane treatment of immigrants in its care and custody. It's a universal principal that government sanctioned institutions have a legal and moral duty to protect the lives and wellbeing of all persons in their custody. But time and time again ICE refuses to honor it's legal and moral duties to those it detains.

The grotesque truth is that this death, like others, was 100% preventable. ICE has an abundance of alternatives to keeping immigrants in detention. Instead ICE has unjustly refused to accept bond payments in the past, proffered by Border Angels. All ICE had to do was accept the cash bond and release the detainee, pending final adjudication of their case.

ICE instead chooses to house hundreds of immigrants in close quarters - a veritable breeding grounds for COVID!

It is heartbreaking and devastating that this person’s last moments were in ICE custody.

“For weeks, ICE would not let us post bonds for people that were in quarantined units and made people who were eligible to be released wait in detention, sleeping in units with 100 other people, all in close proximity to each other. ICE created a death trap. While those that are medically vulnerable are starting to be released, it was only after legal action was taken and a judge ordered for ICE to release some people. It is infuriating that the government continues to turn a blind eye to people that are detained, people that are dying. There are hundreds of people in detention fearful of their lives. We are afraid that there will be more deaths. The time to act is now. Those detained must be released immediately,” said Dulce Garcia, Executive Director of Border Angels.

Join us in our continued fight to provide justice and due process for our immigrant sisters and brothers, donate to our Familias Reunidas Bond Fund.

***

Border Angels se enteró de que Carlos Ernesto Escobar Mejia, un salvadoreño de 57 años, murió bajo custodia de ICE mientras estaba encarcelado en el Centro de Detención de Otay Mesa. Este centro de detención es operado por CoreCivic, una prisión privada con fines de lucro. Los detenidos enfrentan condiciones que amenazan la vida, ya que al menos 200 detenidos han dado positivo por COVID-19. El centro de detención de Otay Mesa tiene el mayor número de casos de COVID-19 en los EE. UU.

La muerte de hoy es una prueba más del trato inhumano de ICE a los inmigrantes bajo su cuidado y custodia. Es un principio universal que las instituciones sancionadas por el gobierno tienen el deber legal y moral de proteger la vida y el bienestar de todas las personas bajo su custodia. Pero una y otra vez ICE se niega a honrar sus deberes legales y morales con aquellos que detiene.

Esta muerte es grotesca y, como otras, era 100% prevenible. ICE tiene muchas alternativas para mantener a los inmigrantes detenidos. Pero ICE se ha negado, injustamente, a aceptar pagos de bonos ofrecidos por Border Angels en el pasado. Todo lo que ICE tenía que hacer era aceptar el bono y liberar al detenido, a la espera de la adjudicación final de su caso.

En cambio, ICE elige alojar a cientos de inmigrantes en lugares cerrados, ¡un verdadero caldo de cultivo para COVID!

Es desgarrador y devastador que los últimos momentos de esta persona fueron bajo custodia de ICE.

“Durante semanas, ICE no nos permitió publicar bonos para personas que estaban en unidades en cuarentena e hizo que las personas que eran elegibles para ser liberadas esperaran detenidas, durmiendo en unidades con otras 100 personas, todas muy cerca unas de otras. ICE creó una trampa mortal. Si bien aquellos que son médicamente vulnerables están comenzando a ser liberados, pero fue solo después de que se tomaron medidas legales y que un juez ordenó que ICE liberara a algunas personas. Es irritante que el gobierno siga haciendo la vista gorda a las personas detenidas, las personas que están muriendo. Hay cientos de personas detenidas que temen por sus vidas. Tememos que haya más muertes. El momento de actuar es ahora. Los detenidos deben ser liberados de inmediato ", dijo Dulce García, Directora Ejecutiva de Border Angels.


** Immigrant Day
May 11, 2020
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Dulce Garcia will be leading one of the meetings at 11am!


For over 20 years, Immigrant Day of Action has honored immigrants as the driving force in California. On May 11th, join CIPC, community members and leaders, in Sacramento, for a full day of celebration and civic engagement as we gather to share our challenges and joys, our struggles and victories, and our collective vision for a better California for everyone.

This year, we will use digital tools to organize and reflect the strength of advocates, leaders, immigrant community members, and allies.

RSVP TO JOIN!
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** Familias Reunidas Bond Program
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GoFundMe Immigration Bond ([link removed][UNIQID])
Despite the growing challenges of this pandemic, Border Angels remains determined to protect and support the community we have pledged to serve. Even though we are currently unable to accept physical donations, we are always accepting monetary donations to support:

1. Our Shelter Aid Program❤️: Especially now that we are unable to receive these items, we need your help to provide funds for groceries, hygiene products, utility bills, rent, clothes, etc.!

2. Familias Reunidas Bond Program👨‍👩‍👧: Given the severity of this outbreak, we NEED to get as many people out of the Otay Mesa Detention Center as we can. With your help we can post bond for more individuals! (Link in highlights under Bond Program)

3. Water Drop Program
💧
: Even after having to postpone public water drops, our team is still constantly in the desert scouting and dropping the supplies necessary for survival. Their work never stops, because the need never stops.

Thank you for your continued support.🖤🦋
DONATE TO BORDER ANGELS ([link removed][UNIQID])

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Stay Informed &
Know Your Rights

San Diego detainee is first in ICE custody to die of COVID-19

By Kate Morrissey

"SAN DIEGO — Hospitalized and on a ventilator for a little over a week, a detainee from Otay Mesa Detention Center on Wednesday became the first in immigration custody nationwide to die of COVID-19.

Carlos Ernesto Escobar Mejia died around 2:15 a.m., according to his sister, Maribel Escobar. Her brother would have been 58 this month, Escobar said."

** [link removed][UNIQID] ([link removed][UNIQID])

Inside Otay Mesa Detention Center: ‘They will let us die in here’

By Leticia Sierra Navarro

As the number of confirmed positive Covid-19 cases inside the Otay Mesa Detention Center increases, it is crucial to help as many individuals as possible. Leticia Sierra Navarro, has been able to shed some light on the horrible and inhumane conditions that have been occurring in the detention center. She mentions women having to make masks from their own shirts and sanitary napkins! We have to free our brothers and sisters in detention as soon as possible! Read the article to see only a glimpse of what many are going through.

***

A medida que sigue aumentando el numero de casos positivos confirmados de Covid-19 dentro del Centro de Detención de Otay Mesa, es crucial poder ayudar a tantas personas como sea posible. Leticia Sierra Navarro, ha podido traer algo de luz sobre las horribles e inhumanas condiciones que han estado ocurriendo dentro de el centro de detención. Ella menciona que las mujeres tienen que hacer mascaras protectoras con sus propias camisas y toallas sanitarias! Tenemos que liberar a nuestras hermanas y hermanos detenidos lo más pronto posible! Lea el siguiente artículo para ver lo que muchos de los detenidos están pasando.

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Ahmaud Arbery Shooting in Georgia: Live Updates and Coverage

Gregory McMichael and Travis McMichael were arrested in connection with the killing of Mr. Arbery, which had led to protests and 2.23-mile runs in support of his family under the hashtag #IRunWithMaud.

By Richard Fausset, Rick Rojas, Sarah Mervosh

"Mr. Arbery, a 25-year-old black man, was killed after an encounter with the McMichaels, who are white. Mr. Arbery was killed in Satilla Shores, a quiet middle-class enclave about 15 minutes from downtown Brunswick and a short jog from Mr. Arbery’s neighborhood. A police report said the McMichaels had grabbed two guns and followed Mr. Arbery in a truck after he ran past them."

** [link removed][UNIQID] ([link removed][UNIQID])

Ahmaud Arbery was killed doing what he loved, and a south Georgia community demands justice

By Eliott C. Mclaughlin, Jason Morris and Angela Barajas


"Glynn County, Georgia (CNN) Though a prosecutor says he'll let a grand jury decide ** whether the man who killed Ahmaud Arbery ([link removed][UNIQID])
will face charges, many in this south Georgia community can't understand why no one's been arrested.
It's been more than 10 weeks since the shooting, and Arbery's supporters feel their outrage would've been louder had coronavirus restrictions not curtailed their protests."

** [link removed][UNIQID] ([link removed][UNIQID])

A Former Farmworker on American Hypocrisy

In the pandemic, “illegal” workers are now deemed “essential” by the federal government.

By Alfredo Corchado

" Today, hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Mexico and Central America are doing that work. By the Department of Agriculture’s estimates, ** about half the country’s field hands ([link removed][UNIQID])
— more than a million workers — are undocumented. Growers and labor contractors estimate that the real proportion is closer to 75 percent.

Suddenly, in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, these “illegal” workers have been deemed “essential” by the federal government."
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Local
San Diego Resources:
DACA, COVID-19

The Supreme Court of the United States did not issue a decision on DACA this week, adding more stress and uncertainty to our communities.

Check out these great mindfulness resources from United We Dream.
We're all in this together!

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Renewing your DACA is even more important now than ever before!

Consult with an attorney or nonprofit that is offering legal services to see if you are eligible to renew now!

National Immigration Legal Services Directory

Use the options below to search for immigration legal services providers by state, county, or detention facility.

Only nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services are included in this directory.

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Covid-19 Resources for Undocumented People /
Covid-19 Recursos para Personas Indocumentadas

** [link removed][UNIQID] ([link removed][UNIQID])

COVID-19: Assistance
Available to Undocumented Individuals

Financial Relief, Health Access and Guidance, Legal Rights, Free and Low Cost Services.

COVID-19: Assistencia
para Individuos Indocumentados

Ayuda Financiera, Acceso y Información para Cuidado de Salud, Derechos Legales, Servicios Gratuitos y De Bajo Costo.

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San Diego Food Bank – Food Programs Operating During the COVID-19 Crisis

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Domestic Violence Support and Resources:

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Corona Relief San Diego

SERVICE TO HELP THOSE IN NEED GET GROCERIES & MEDICINE DELIVERED.

** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Or call (619)-800-1892

Resources:
COVID-19 & DACA

UNITED STATES

Org: United We Dream
Financial support, DACA resources, mental health and well being.
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Small business loans
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Student Relief fund
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National Resources
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CALIFORNIA

Sacramento County
Org: NorCal Resist
Helps pay for groceries, rent assistance, street vendor emergency fund.
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Oakland
Org: OUR Fund
Helps with Financial support, application closed on May 4th.
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NEW YORK

New York City
Org: NYWF
Funds for Women, girls, and TGNCNB
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Merchandise

** UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE,

PURCHASES & SHIPPING OF ALL

MERCHANDISE ARE ON HOLD!**
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