For immediate release
San Francisco, CA -- After weeks of legal advocacy and community pressure amidst a global pandemic, two hunger strikers detained at the for-profit Mesa Verde Detention Facility won bonds for release, but ICE is demanding astronomical bonds for their freedom despite their risk of death from COVID-19. Meanwhile, our beloved community member, Oumar Yaide, was finally brought home after nearly eight months of detention, an unlawful deportation, traveling through three continents, and six airports.
Pangea Legal Services releases the following statement:
“Even in this time of darkness, we know that our communities are the glimmer of hope to help us get through it. It is incredible to know that Oumar, Everardo, Luis Alberto, and so many of our loved ones will have the ability to shelter-in-place with those that matter to them the most. COVID-19 has highlighted everything that is morally wrong about immigrant detention: making profits with no regard to human life.”
"‘ICE is literally holding these people's lives for ransom,’ said Pete Weiss, immigration attorney and Equal Justice Works Fellow. ‘There's no other word for it. They are demanding huge sums of money from their families to release them, even as they acknowledge that these people face a high risk of death from COVID-19 in detention.’”
“The fight continues to free them all. Over 200 hunger strikers continue to protest conditions at Mesa Verde, and shed light on ICE’s desperate attempt to keep thousands of individuals detained. We will keep the pressure up to ensure the release of every individual until we shut these facilities down.”
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