FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2015
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Elizabeth Beresford, [email protected], 917-648-0189
National Immigration Law Center Calls on DHS to Release At-Risk LGBTQ Immigrants
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security on Monday issued guidance on the detention of transgender immigrants. This came after growing calls by advocates for DHS to end the use of detention for LGBTQ immigrants, given their vulnerability to sexual assault inside detention facilities.
National Immigration Law Center Executive Director Marielena Hincapié released the following statement in response:
“The National Immigration Law Center welcomes the guidance issued by the Department of Homeland Security but strongly urges the agency to do more to protect LGBTQ immigrants in detention.
“Simply put, transgender people cannot be safely detained under any circumstance. By continuing to detain this vulnerable community, we are knowingly exposing them to a high risk of assault and rape.
“We will continue to support immigrant and LGBTQ communities nationwide in pressing DHS to ensure this community is safe and protected by ending their detention immediately.”
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This lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of H.B. 1704, a Tennessee bill that unlawfully usurps federal control over the U.S. immigration system.
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