Dear Friends, Senator Tim Kaine has introduced six resolutions in the U.S. Senate seeking information on the human rights practices of six countries to which the U.S. has reportedly deported immigrants who have no ties to those countries. The risk of torture or abuse – particularly after reports from men sent from the United States to the CECOT prison in El Salvador – is high and an alarming concern. The U.S. has a moral and legal obligation not to send people to countries where they face the risk of torture or inhumane treatment. Write to your Senators and ask them to support these resolutions when they come up for a vote after the August recess. If the resolutions pass, the State Department must submit a report on human rights practices in the six countries within 30 days. If a report is not submitted, then security assistance to the country is automatically suspended. The six countries named in the resolutions are Costa Rica, Eswatini, Mexico, Panama, Rwanda, and South Sudan. These resolutions come after a vote was taken on a similar resolution regarding El Salvador earlier in the year, which failed to pass. Sen. Kaine’s resolutions request detailed information from the Secretary of State on each of the six countries' human rights practices, particularly regarding the treatment, legal status, and risk of abuse faced by individuals deported to the country who are not citizens of that country. Given a process under Section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act, a Senator can force debate and a vote on the resolutions. This information is crucial for holding our government accountable and ensuring compliance with our nation's values and international commitments against torture. TAKE ACTION >> Write to your Senators today. UPDATE: This morning, I attended a prayer vigil and rally for Kilmar Abrego Garcia as he was doing a mandatory check-in with the ICE Baltimore office. Earlier this year, he was detained and mistakenly sent to the CECOT prison in El Salvador. After a lawsuit that went all the way to the Supreme Court, and following Congressional intervention including a visit to El Salvador by one of his U.S. Senators, Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, the U.S. government reluctantly returned Kilmar to U.S. soil. He has reported being subject to severe beatings and psychological torture at CECOT. Mr. Abrego Garcia addressed those of us gathered, saying through a translator, "Regardless of what happens here today, in the ICE check-in, promise me this: promise me that you will continue to pray, continue to fight, resist and love, not just for me but for everybody. Continue to demand freedom." When he went inside to the "check-in," Kilmar was again detained. Last Friday, his lawyers had received notification from the Department of Homeland Security that he would be deported to Uganda. I invite you to join me in the prayers I lifted this morning as Kilmar’s lawyer spoke following his detention, for those who have been tortured and all those who are living under fear of deportation and torture. In these perilous times, may our faith traditions bolster us to stand up for justice. Together we can act in solidarity with immigrants who fear torture and abuse. Thank you for standing up for human rights! Rev. T.C. Morrow
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