Biden: Shut Down Detention Centers, End Deportations and Release All People in Immigration Detention

The Southeast Immigrant Rights Network (SEIRN) joins the national call for the Biden Administration to release all immigrants held in detention, shut down detention centers, end deportations, and cut Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) budgets. Over fifteen direct actions are taking place nationwide today as part of the #CommunitiesNotCages National Day of Action to highlight Biden´s troubling pattern of detention and deportation expansion. The National Day of Action is organized by Detention Watch Network, FIRM Action, United We Dream, American Friends Service Committee, and the We Are Home Campaign.

As a candidate, Biden promised to create a “fair and humane immigration system” and reduce detention. Instead, during his first year in office, his administration has expanded detention, deported and expelled over 1.8 million people, and continued Trump-era anti-immigrant policies, including the atrocious “Remain in Mexico” program and Title 42 border closure and expulsions.

We are deeply disappointed with Biden´s lack of leadership and angry at his broken promises. Immigrant communities continue to suffer the consequences of cruel and inhumane immigration policies that criminalize us, separate us from our loved ones, and deprive us of our most basic human rights. SEIRN demands that President Biden take executive action now to:

1. Free all people in detention

2. Shut down detention centers and stop detention expansion

3. Stop deportations including Title 42 expulsions

4. Cut ICE and CBP’s budget

Biden, remember: promises are meant to be kept.