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John, Being able to make a phone call to an attorney is often a matter of life or death for people in immigration detention. Yet Immigration and Customs Enforcement is regularly denying communication between attorneys and their clients in El Paso, Texas. Immigrants already face tremendous barriers in their fight for a fair day in court. 86% of people in detention do not have an attorney according to the American Immigration Council’s report on access to counsel in immigration court. For the 14% who do, communication with their attorneys is essential to a fair day in court and the success of their case. Over the past six months, the Council and its Immigration Justice Campaign volunteers documented instances where ICE blocked phone calls between attorneys and their clients detained in the El Paso, Texas region. The Council has advocated aggressively to resolve these issues but has been met by empty promises from ICE that a solution was in the works. The Council’s solution was to take action. Immigration Justice Campaign volunteers filed a lawsuit to ensure that safe and free legal calls can take place for detained individuals in the El Paso region, and are represented by our partner law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP. The Council will continue to partner with their litigation team and Immigration Justice Campaign volunteers to collect the evidence needed to end this due process violation and hold ICE accountable. Together, we are one step closer to a fair day in court for all immigrants. Sincerely, |
 Beth Werlin Executive Director |
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