Des Moines- The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) will lead a delegation of immigrant rights organizations and individuals to the Iowa campaign offices of presidential candidates to deliver a report on private industry and immigrant detention. The report, “The Role of For-Profit Prison Corporations in Shaping US Immigrant Detention Policies” highlights the relationship between the prison/detention industry and government offices and individuals responsible for setting immigration policy.
The report includes information about political campaign contributions and lobbying expenses from Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and The GEO group- the two largest private prison corporations in the US, both of which have lobbied extensively for increasing the numbers of immigrants in detention. Since 2010 there is a mandate from Department of Homeland Security that 33,400 immigrants be held in detention. This policy has resulted in a major windfall for CCA and GEO.
The delegation will present the offices with a copy of the AFSC report and call on the presidential candidates to seek an end to the immigrant detention quota and to work toward a humane and effective immigration policy.
Kathleen McQuillen with AFSC said, “AFSC has been speaking with the presidential candidates for the last 18 months about the detention industry and immigration policy. Some have said they know nothing about it. Some have acknowledged that if an immigrant detention quota does exist, it should be eliminated. We are taking this opportunity to be sure all the candidates know about the detention quota and to call on them to end the policy.”
What: Private Prisons and Immigrant Detention Report to be delivered to Presidential Campaign Offices
Who: American Friends Service Committee and immigrant advocacy allies
When: Monday, Jan. 25; Meet at AFSC 1:15 pm; Depart for campaign offices at 1:30 pm
Where: AFSC, 4211 Grand Ave to Presidential Campaign offices
Sponsors: American Friends Service Committee, Methodist Federation for Social Action-Iowa Chapter, Des Moines Faith Committee for Peace, Sisters Council Leadership Team- Catholic Diocese of DM, STARPAC, Womens’ International League for Peace and Freedom-DM Chapter, Iowa Conference of United Methodist Women, Las Americas United Methodist Faith Community, Wesley United Methodist Church
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