I am writing to you to demand that you immediately release all migrants and asylum seekers from ICE facilities in Arizona.

This week a group of 32 migrants with asthma, diabetes, cancer and other chronic conditions detained at La Palma Correctional Center in Eloy pleaded to be released on humanitarian parole. In a letter sent to the LGBTQ+ migrant rights organization Trans Queer Pueblo, all signatories stated they fear for their lives. In a previous incident, ICE used tear gas and rubber bullets against 39 migrants after they asked for information about the exploding number of COVID-19 cases at La Palma.

Because ICE cannot guarantee the health and safety of the people in its custody, you must take the following measures:

- Use your authority to release all individuals under your purview, including release on recognizance, parole, into the care of community sponsors, etc. notwithstanding other provisions of law.
- Stop the use of ICE facilities and resources to quarantine people. Detention centers spread illness and are not suited for quarantine. As of May 13th, there are at least 68 KNOWN cases of COVID19 in Arizona Detention Centers. In the event that a person in custody exhibits symptoms or tests positive for the virus, release them to ensure they receive proper care outside of detention.
- Ensure free and unlimited access to health and sanitary supplies, as well as free phone access to counsel and loved ones as people in custody await release.
- End all enforcement and removal operations in Arizona. ICE cannot deport away it’s COVID-19 problem.

Releasing individuals in ICE custody is the only way to protect the health of those under your charge and prevent the massive spread of the virus in the state. Not only migrants and asylum seekers are at risk, but also those who work at these facilities and their families.

Given the urgency of the matter, I request a prompt response that includes how many people have been released thus far, as well as your plans to release the remaining population and take the above actions.

As a member of different Arizona’s communities, I am ready to support all migrants coming out of detention with the proper care and resources so that they are able to stay safe in this pandemic. Me and the community of Arizona hold you responsible for any deaths that occur as a result of COVID-19 within the ICE facilities of this state.

For weeks, communities have urged Governor Doug Ducey, ICE Field Office Director Enrique Lucero and Arizona Department of Corrections Director David Shinn to act fast to release people from ICE detention and prisons to prevent the spread of COVID19. After a man in California’s Otay Mesa Detention Center died of COVID19 last week, and at least 5 have died in Arizona Prisons, advocates are looking to Mayors to take action.

This week a group of 32 migrants with asthma, diabetes, cancer and other chronic conditions detained at La Palma Correctional Center in Eloy pleaded to be released on humanitarian parole. In a letter sent to the LGBTQ+ migrant rights organization Trans Queer Pueblo, all signatories stated they fear for their lives. In a previous incident, ICE used tear gas and rubber bullets against 39 migrants after they asked for information about the exploding number of COVID-19 cases at La Palma.

Because of this, I am asking Mayor Kate Gallego fight for the health and freedom of all immigrants by publicly pressuring Governor Ducey and ICE Field Director Henry Lucero to free the signatories of La Palma’s letters and all migrants from ICE detention; to stop ICE enforcement and removal operations, and end police-ICE collaboration in Phoenix. I also ask that Mayor Kate Gallego pressure Governor Ducey and ADOC Director Shinn to use their executive power and release people in Arizona jails and prisons. The state of Arizona also must provide quality healthcare before more lives are lost due to their inaction.

This is an important step in ensuring ICE and ADOC stop jeopardizing the health of immigrants at La Palma Correctional Center, other detention centers and prisons throughout the state for the health and safety of all Arizonans. I expect Mayor Kate Gallego to act.

For weeks, communities have urged Governor Doug Ducey, ICE Field Office Director Enrique Lucero and Arizona Department of Corrections Director David Shinn to act fast to release people from ICE detention and prisons to prevent the spread of COVID19. After a man in California’s Otay Mesa Detention Center died of COVID19 last week, and at least 5 have died in Arizona Prisons, advocates are looking to Mayors to take action.

This week a group of 32 migrants with asthma, diabetes, cancer and other chronic conditions detained at La Palma Correctional Center in Eloy pleaded to be released on humanitarian parole. In a letter sent to the LGBTQ+ migrant rights organization Trans Queer Pueblo, all signatories stated they fear for their lives. In a previous incident, ICE used tear gas and rubber bullets against 39 migrants after they asked for information about the exploding number of COVID-19 cases at La Palma.

I’m asking Mayor Joel Belloc to fight for the health and freedom of all incarcerated and detained people, as well as the health of the Eloy community, by sending a letters to ICE Field Office Director Enrique Lucero, urging them to release the #LaPalma32, all people in their custody and shut down Florence Detention Center, as well as ADOC Director David Shinn and Governor Doug Ducey to take immediate action to release people in Arizona prisons.

I also urge Mayor Belloc to withdraw the city’s contracts with ICE for the La Palma detention center. CoreCivic, who runs the facility, does not prioritize the health of its employees, people detained there, or the health of the public. As of May 13th, 56 people have tested positive for COVID19 in La Palma alone. This is an important step in ensuring ICE and ADOC stop jeopardizing all our health and safety. The best way to flatten the curve and prevent local hospitals from being filled with COVID19 patients, is to release people in detention and incarceration immediately

Every day we hear stories from People incarcerated who are not receiving the necessary supplies to sanitize, they are not allowed to wear masks, not receiving updates on COVID19, and are placed in solitary confinement if they display symptoms.

The impact of COVID19 in small prison towns cannot be minimized. The city of Eloy is now a hotspot for the novel virus. ICE, ADOC and CoreCivic are not going to support the community when health infrastructure is overwhelmed. They are also doing little to stop the spread, prompting even guards to file a lawsuit against CoreCivic for dangerous working conditions.

For weeks, communities have urged Governor Doug Ducey, ICE Field Office Director Enrique Lucero and Arizona Department of Corrections Director David Shinn to act fast to release people from ICE detention and prisons to prevent the spread of COVID19. After a man in California’s Otay Mesa Detention Center died of COVID19 last week, and at least 5 have died in Arizona Prisons, advocates are looking to Mayors to take action.

This week a group of 32 migrants with asthma, diabetes, cancer and other chronic conditions detained at La Palma Correctional Center in Eloy pleaded to be released on humanitarian parole. In a letter sent to the LGBTQ+ migrant rights organization Trans Queer Pueblo, all signatories stated they fear for their lives. In a previous incident, ICE used tear gas and rubber bullets against 39 migrants after they asked for information about the exploding number of COVID-19 cases at La Palma.

I’m asking Mayor Tara Walters to fight for the health and freedom of all incarcerated and detained people, as well as the health of the Florence community, by sending a letters to ICE Field Office Director Enrique Lucero, urging them to release the #LaPalma32,all people in their custody and shut down Florence Detention Center, as well as ADOC Director David Shinn and Governor Doug Ducey to take immediate action to release people in Arizona prisons.

I also urge Mayor Walters to withdraw the city’s contracts with ICE for the Florence detention center. CoreCivic, who runs the facility, does not prioritize the health of its employees, people detained there, or the health of the public. As of May 13th, 56 people have tested positive for COVID19 in La Palma alone. This is an important step in ensuring ICE and ADOC stop jeopardizing all our health and safety. The best way to flatten the curve and prevent local hospitals from being filled with COVID19 patients, is to release people in detention and incarceration immediately

Every day we hear stories from People incarcerated who are not receiving the necessary supplies to sanitize, they are not allowed to wear masks, not receiving updates on COVID19, and are placed in solitary confinement if they display symptoms.

The impact of COVID19 in small prison towns cannot be minimized. The city of Florence is now a hotspot for the novel virus. ICE, ADOC and CoreCivic are not going to support the community when health infrastructure is overwhelmed. They are also doing little to stop the spread, prompting even guards to file a lawsuit against CoreCivic for dangerous working conditions.