The federal government under President Trump continues to hold immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in detention. In spite of public outcry and consistent protests by certain lawmakers, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) continue to abrogate the civil and human rights of this vulnerable population.
Did you know? Washington State has at least three ICE detention centers, including the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, the Seatac Federal Detention Center in Seattle, and the Benton County Prison in Kennewick. Detention sites all over the U.S. include prisons and jails, motels, and immigration centers. This is a deplorable way to treat human beings who have little recourse for occurances of abuse by detention authorities and personnel.
Today we’re asking you to demand that Governor Inslee and our Washington State lawmakers get answers on the detention centers in our state. Send a message, or call, your lawmakers and urge that they shine a light on these appalling sites in our state. We may not have control of the disposition of refugees and immigrants by the federal government, but we can make a fuss over detention centers in our own state.
ACTION: Message your Washington-State lawmakers to shine a light on detention centers.
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Governor Jay Inslee – email form at https://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/contact/send-gov-inslee-e-message
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Washington State lawmakers – “Find My District” – https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder. Enter your street address, a pop-up window will display your legislators’ names, click on lawmaker name for email or phone contacts.
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Call the legislative hotline ON MONDAY during business hours, 1-800-562-2000.
SAMPLE MESSAGE:
“I am [calling/writing] today to urge [lawmaker name] to obtain information on the ICE immigration detention centers in Washington State. [Choose 1-3 from the following list]:
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How many immigrants are being held in our state? What are their demographics – e.g., ages, gender, etc.?
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What are the living conditions and duration of detention?
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What are the risks to safety in these facilities? e.g., reported abuses, deaths, denial of medical care, lack of hygiene and sanitation, etc.
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How long are these facilities going to be allowed to exist? Are there plans for closures or expansions?
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What state resources are being used for these facilities?
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When can a delegation access the facilities to see conditions for themselves?
We should not allow the civil and human rights of detainees to be invalidated by the federal government inside our state. Thank you for your time and attention.”
Thanks for 5calls.org for information in this action.
Background:
“About the NW Detention Center” (Northwest Immigrant Rights Project) – https://www.nwirp.org/resources/about-the-nw-detention-center/
“Here’s how many ICE detention centers are holding immigrants in every state” (Business Insider) – https://www.businessinsider.com/ice-immigrant-families-dhs-detention-centers-2018-6
EVENTS
SEATTLE INDIVISIBLE MEETING
Tuesday, July 2, 7:00 pm – Seattle Indivisible Meeting (1st & 3rd Tuesdays):
At the Washington State Labor Council in the Central District, 321 16th Avenue. This meeting venue is wheelchair-accessible, and can be reached by King County Metro buses 7, 14, 27, and 106, and the First Hill Streetcar.
RESIST TRUMP TUESDAY RALLY
Tues. June 25, 11:45 am-1:30 pm – Resist Trump Tuesday Rallies (2nd & 4th Tuesdays):
At the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, 915 2nd Avenue. The outdoor rally is followed by a meeting inside the Federal Building with Staffers from our lawmakers’ offices.
