Duckworth And 135 House Colleagues Call On DHS To End Family Detention

Press Release

This week, Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08), along with 135 of her colleagues, sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson expressing concern over the detention of mothers and children in "jail-like" facilities. The letter focuses on the "conditions of confinement, due process issues, and serious developmental concerns of those being detained." Duckworth and her colleagues call for the end of family detention on humanitarian grounds. The letter was spearheaded by Reps. Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) and Luis Gutiérrez (IL-04).

"The American people overwhelmingly believe that we need immigration reform that is practical fair and humane," said Duckworth. "The detention of mothers and children in prison-like facilities is far from humane and contradicts American values. The conditions in these facilities have the potential for creating long term physical and psychological injuries to women and children who are often fleeing incredibly traumatic situations in their home countries. It is time that DHS seek a better alternative."

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