Open letter from U.S. legal academics to DHS on the release of immigrant detainees

[Priya Gupta] Wednesday, April 15, 2020

This is an unprecedented time in our nation’s history, filled with uncertainty, fear, and anxiety. But in the time of a crisis, our response to those at particularly high risk must be with compassion and not apathy. The Government cannot act with a callous disregard for the safety of our fellow human beings.

– Judge Hatter, District Court Judge in California

Several colleagues and I have written an open letter from U.S. law professors, researchers, and educators to the Department of Homeland Security urging the release of immigrant detainees. As you are likely aware, the U.S. currently has detained nearly 40,000 people in immigration detention facilities. As the letter explains, the conditions in these facilities are severely inadequate in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and they are violative of the constitutional rights of the detained individuals.

The letter can be read here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DI6gpbnLzggNuEsKOC9g87WiSZZPU7MQvcaz7UWYbp0/edit?usp=sharing  

If you are a legal academic based at a U.S. institution, please consider signing here: https://forms.gle/MpABjQNdPWeLkqky8

We would be grateful if you would distribute this message and the links to your legal academic networks.

Priya Gupta | Los Angeles | April 15, 2020