After the Ending of Contracts for Two ICE Detention Camps and TPS Redesignation for Haitian Nationals, Comprehensive Immigration Reform Should Be Next

Last week, the Biden-Harris administration announced that the contracts of two ICE detention centers will be cut, including the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia, and the Bristol County Detention Center in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and that they would begin a process to review other Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracts. The administration also announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) would be granted to Haitian nationals. These victories can be attributed to the work of immigrant rights organizations, headed by Black, Brown, and immigrant leaders making their voices heard, and to the Biden administration that is heeding these concerns and taking action.

Poder Latinx released the following statement regarding these policy changes: 

“These announcements are proof that our work is necessary and provides real change to our immigrant communities. We are pleased to have TPS reinstated for our Haitian friends and allies and to have these horrific detention camps shut down, but we must continue urging Congress to bring forward a comprehensive solution for all immigrants by effectively organizing our communities,” said Yadira Sanchez, co-executive director for Poder Latinx.

“This first step toward immigration reform is welcome, but not a wholly comprehensive solution. We urge the administration to continue working on this issue and helping the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States find a secure pathway toward citizenship. Congressional Republicans are stifling the ability of a comprehensive immigration bill from passing, conjuring false news about the border. We applaud the administration for demonstrating what might need to happen if Congressional Republicans continue hampering real progress to  safety and security for our communities - Democrats may need to move without them,” said Esteban Garces, co-executive director for Poder Latinx.

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