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National Immigration Project Condemns Reports that Biden Administration Is Considering Reinstating Family Detention

Issue area
Children and Families
Detention
Posted: Mar. 7, 2023

For Immediate Release
March 7, 2023

Contacts:
Arianna Rosales, arianna@nipnlg.org

Washington, DC – Yesterday, The New York Times reported that the Biden Administration is “considering” a return to the cruel and abusive practice of detaining migrant families. The National Immigration Project condemns this practice and news of its possible revival in the strongest possible terms. 

Sirine Shebaya, Executive Director of the National Immigration Project, said:

“Family detention causes irreparable harm and inflicts unconscionable suffering. Every kind of expert – legal, medical, and directly impacted people themselves – has thoroughly denounced the policy. If the Biden Administration goes through with reinstating family detention, it will betray not only our communities, but also the very principles the administration claimed to espouse when President Biden took office. 

“As President Biden himself said not three years ago, ‘Children should be released from ICE detention with their parents immediately. This is pretty simple, and I can't believe I have to say it: Families belong together.’ It is that simple. We urge the administration to remember its commitment to compassionate, humane immigration policies and to end the use of detention once and for all.”

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The National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG) is a national non-profit organization that provides technical assistance and support to community-based immigrant organizations, legal practitioners, and all advocates seeking and working to advance the rights of noncitizens. NIPNLG utilizes impact litigation, advocacy, and public education to pursue its mission. Learn more at nipnlg.org. Follow NIPNLG on social media: National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild on Facebook, @NIPNLG on Twitter and Instagram.