This is unthinkable. And yet it is happening.
The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are unfolding all around us.
It is challenging enough to stay safe during this pandemic in well-supported circumstances.
Can you imagine what it must be like to be a detained immigrant, warehoused in a detention center, trying to stay protected from infection?
It is unthinkable. And yet it is happening in America.
Worse, we hear many credible reports that ICE is not only packing detainees closely together, it's even worse than we thought.
People in ICE custody are getting exposed to massive amounts of toxics, through indiscriminate spraying and rampant overuse of disinfectant chemicals.
The chemicals identified have been labeled for use "only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area" and require protective gear to be worn while handling the container. Yet ICE is reportedly spraying these chemicals indoors in detainee living quarters.
And tragically, the health issues reported are exactly what we'd expect.
Rashes. Bleeding. Burns. Fainting. And those are just the immediate consequences. We know poor air circulation may lead to toxic inhalation when exposed to these chemicals that can cause serious long-term health problems.
That must change. Sign the petition and urge Congress to open an investigation into the COVID-19 response in ICE detention centers.
Jeff
