LULAC to Host Press Call Regarding Eliminating Immigration Detention Quotas and Privately Run Detention Centers
Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) September 16, 2015 -- Congressional language in the appropriations bill has been interpreted to require the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to detain an average of 34,000 individuals. The vast majority of these detainees have not been charged with a crime nor have a criminal background and are housed at privately owned detention centers. These for-profit detention centers average a cost of $159 per day, significantly more expensive than using Alternatives To Detention (ATDs), which costs taxpayers $1.4 billion annually. Reports have indicated that these detention quotas have resulted in systematic discrimination. Specifically, Mexicans are incarcerated at a rate of 75% compared with other nationalities whose incarceration rate average in the 40s.
The indiscriminate quota does nothing to help secure our borders while incentivizing the inhumane and arbitrary detention of thousands of whom we have no justifiable reason to detain. In an effort to help bring some relief to these discriminatory practices, Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont will be discussing legislation entitled, Justice Is Not For Sale, which will be introduced on Thursday. Among other issues, the legislation eliminates the use of privately owned detention centers and the 34,000 bed requirement. The discussion will also highlight safer and more humane alternatives to detaining undocumented people.
WHO:
• United States Senate, Senator Bernie Sanders, Vermont
• The League of United Latin American Citizens, (LULAC), National Executive Director, Brent Wilkes
• U.S. House of Representatives, Adam Smith, Washington
• U.S. House of Representatives, Raul Grijalva, Arizona (invited)
• National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, (NHLA), Executive Director, Hector Sanchez
• Noemi Romero, DREAMER, activist
PRESS: Participant dial-in number is (866) 259-9943 and event passcode is 43489918
WHEN: Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 10:45 A.M.
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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit http://www.LULAC.org.
Paloma Zuleta, LULAC, http://lulac.org/, 202-812-4477, [email protected]
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