Why Coronavirus Should Change Our Immigration Policies

Описание: This pandemic impacts all of us, regardless of our immigration status. Andrea Flores, deputy director of policy for the ACLU Equality Division, describes our recommendations for ICE.

I'm Andrea Flores, Deputy Director of Policy for the ACLU's Equality Division, and I'm speaking to you from my living room in Washington, D.C. This pandemic impacts all of us, regardless of immigration status. That's why our immigration team is working hard to ensure that immigrants are protected
during this public health crisis. First off, people and their families must feel safe to leave their homes and seek medical help or gather the necessary supplies to keep their family safe. If ICE doesn't give people that assurance at this time, it puts everyone at more danger. So here are the fews things ICE can and should do. First, ICE should immediately suspend any enforcement activities that could deter any individuals from accessing care. There is ample precedent for curbing immigration enforcement during public emergencies. In 2018, the Department of Homeland Security suspended immigration enforcement in areas affected by Tropical Storm Florence. The same occurred in 2018 for northern California areas affected by wildfires. ICE should also release individuals who are particularly at risk to complications from COVID-19, specifically based on guidance by the CDC and other medical experts. This guidance was actually the basis of our lawsuit in the state of Washington, filed on behalf of vulnerable immigrants detained in the Tacoma, WA area. But we can't wait any longer. ICE must act now to both prioritize public health and ensure the people do not fear seeking the medical care they need because of their immigration status. Science, not politics or discrimination, should guide the response to this crisis. We'll fight to ensure it does.