Dear John,

As we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today, we are reminded that “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”

Today, our immigrant neighbors—many fleeing violence, persecution, and extreme hardship—continue to be held in an expansive, privately run detention system that too often deprives them of due process and dignity. We cannot stand by silently.

The crisis just escalated—and it demands action. The Council’s new report shows immigration detention has surged to the highest level in U.S. history, climbing nearly 75% in 2025, with system capacity reportedly at 70,000 beds on any given day. The rapid expansion has occurred alongside aggressive “at large” arrests in communities and an elimination of oversight—changes that make it harder for people to fight their cases and easier to pressure them into giving up their rights. Meanwhile, congressional funding increases are supercharging detention growth for years to come, positioning this system to rival the entire federal criminal prison system if left unchecked.

Why this matters for justice and due process: Only a fraction of people in detention can access a lawyer—dramatically reducing their chances of a fair hearing and release. For-profit prisons often double as detention centers, subjecting people to prolonged isolation, transfers far from counsel, and dangerous conditions that undermine health and dignity.

There’s a better, proven path. Community based Alternatives to Detention (ATD)—including case management and legal support—are more humane and far more cost-effective than government custody, and they achieve high appearance and check-in compliance without incarceration. 

Your gift today will drive immediate impact:

Today, your support is a concrete stand for justice—transforming outrage into legal representation, transparency, and solutions that work. Please give now to help end harmful detention and advance humane, effective alternatives.

With gratitude and resolve,

Akosua Meyers
Chief Development Officer

PS: MLK Day is also a day of service. After you donate, please volunteer, share this appeal, and invite others to invest in humane immigration policies rooted in justice and compassion. Every action today helps protect more people tomorrow.