ICE Facing Increased Pressure to Release Immigrants

ICE is being forced to release immigrant detainees from New Jersey detention centers after one tested positive for COVID-19. A 31-year-old Mexican national was confirmed to have contracted the virus a few days ago at the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack. ICE agents reported he was quarantined and receiving care. It was unclear how long the infected detainee had been in custody before being quarantined, leaving possibly hundreds of other immigrants at risk. Those being kept there live in extremely crowded living quarters. They also don’t have the ability to continuously maintain proper hygiene. As a result, the Chief Justice argued the dangers posed to them was too great and ordered hundreds of inmates be released. New York public defenders are also becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of immigrants being kept in jails there as well. Meanwhile, people are calling for ICE to take similar measures nationwide.