Harlem Representatives Adriano Espaillat and Hank Johnson held a virtual press conference today to address the disturbing allegations related to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Irwin County, Georgia.
During the virtual event, Reps. Espaillat and Johnson discussed their investigative visit to the Irwin facility last month where they met with victims and will continue their call for the closure of the facility.
The Members were joined by advocates, medical experts, and survivors who have suffered abuse while detained at the Irwin County facility.
Watch a replay of today’s press conference here
“This is about human rights and dignity,” said Rep. Espaillat. “After visiting the detention center last month, we continue our call to shut down Irwin and allow these women to receive the kind of medical care any reasonable person would expect in the United States of America.
What’s clear to us after seeing the conditions and hearing the stories from women locked up in this facility it that we simply cannot allow this abuse to continue.”
Rep. Johnson said, “It’s morally and ethically bankrupt and will leave an irremovable stain on the soul of our nation.” “Like vultures circling a carcass, ICE is profiting on the abuse and suffering of the most vulnerable among us.
Empowered by a corrupt administration and racist President hell-bent on carrying out a racist and anti-immigrant ideology, we demand accountability and the release of all those who have suffered at the hands of ICE at this facility,” said Rep. Johnson.
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