We are facing a global pandemic. As all of us in Massachusetts and across the United States begin to understand how to live under the grip of the coronavirus, we have a responsibility as a nation to stop the spread of this disease on a global scale.
That’s why I am calling on the Trump administration to halt deportations and release from detention all immigrants who pose no public safety threat.
- Halt deportations. This virus has already spread to more than 100 countries around the world. Deportations during a pandemic only serve to spread exposure to the virus. We must take responsibility as a nation for the spread of this virus and put a stop to deportations for those who do not pose harm during this crisis.
- Alternatives to detention. Keeping immigrants in detention centers during this outbreak has already been called a public health disaster waiting to happen. I traveled to the border and witnessed the humanitarian crisis created by the Trump administration. I saw firsthand the inhumane conditions in which immigrants are being forced to live. Between the crowded rooms and the substandard medical care, if the virus were to reach these detention centers, it is sure to spread like wildfire. It is time for ICE to release people in custody and find alternatives to detention that would limit exposure to the virus.
- Put an end to fear-mongering immigration policy. It is our primary responsibility as a nation to encourage those who are experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus to seek medical attention. President Trump’s discriminatory and cruel immigration policies incite fear into our immigrant communities, discouraging people from accessing medical care. To put a stop to the spread of this virus and protect public health, it is essential that every person feel comfortable seeking the care they need.
- Direct agency resources to stopping the spread of coronavirus. We are at a critical moment in time and we need a whole agency response to put a stop to the coronavirus. We should be directing our resources toward containment measures — this includes CBP, which should be focused on enhancing health screening at our airports, not managing inhumane detention centers at our border. This weekend, we saw the long lines for travelers at airports across the country, showing us the clear need for DHS to devote more resources to this initiative.
- Find our nation’s conscience. Our families and communities are facing unparalleled fear and anxiety. The United States has a moral obligation to lead with love and compassion. It is time to dig into the heart of our nation and find its conscience. In times as turbulent as these, halting deportations and releasing detainees from custody is just the right thing to do.
Unfortunately, the spread of coronavirus is going to continue to worsen before it gets better. The United States has a responsibility to do all that it can to halt the spread of this virus. We must immediately halt needless deportations and release detainees.
