Dear Friend, 

Last week, Nebane Abienwi, a 37-year-old man from Cameroon who'd been in
ICE custody at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, passed away at
a nearby medical center.(1)

Abienwi is the ninth immigrant to die in ICE custody this year alone.

Under Trump, U.S. detention centers for immigrants who are seeking asylum
are just as damaging as the violence-prone countries many are fleeing. One
investigator even found that conditions at the nation's largest Customs
and Border Protection detention center "could be compared to torture
facilities."(2)

[ [link removed] ]Sign here to demand that Congress enact humane treatment legislation
for asylum seekers and immigrants.

U.S. Congress members Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)
and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) have sponsored a bill called the Dignity
for Detained Immigrants Act, which would change how the U.S. treats
immigrants and ensure a transparent and responsible process for immigrants
awaiting a court decision.

This legislation would mandate a shift away from detention centers to
alternative housing arrangements for immigrants awaiting court decisions.
Community-based supervision programs would allow immigrants to live
independently, outside of detention centers. This legislation will also
call for regular inspections at detention facilities to ensure that
facility workers respect the rights of all immigrants.

[ [link removed] ]Demand that Congress support and pass the Dignity for Detained
Immigrants Act.

If we do not act now, asylum seekers and immigrants will continue to
endure racist and inhumane treatment in for-profit detention centers that
not only function as prisons but often separate children from their family
members. Lack of healthcare poses a serious threat to the mental and
physical well-being of individuals awaiting decisions on their immigration
status. Our overall aim is to close down these detention centers
permanently, but we recognize that we must care for those inside of the
cages in the meantime.

Locking up those fleeing for safety in our country is inhumane, expensive,
and wrong. Migrant families who are lawfully seeking asylum cannot
continue to be abused! 

[ [link removed] ]Please join us in calling on Congress to pass the Dignity for Detained
Immigrants Act.

Diego, along with Analeeza, Brian, Caitlin, Deepthi, Eddie, Gabby, Jay,
Lindsay, Mary, Molly, Raquel, and Scottie (the Courage team)

Footnotes:
1.
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2.
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Courage Campaign is an online organizing network that empowers more than 1.4 million grassroots and netroots activists to push for progressive change and full equality in California and across the country.

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