From the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (http://www.paimmigrant.org):
Pennsylvania is still home to the Berks County Family Detention Center (BCRC), one of three detention centers for immigrant families, where children as young as two-weeks-old have been incarcerated. In August 2015, a Federal Court determined that the practice of detaining children in jail-like settings is illegal, and ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to immediately release all families held in immigrant family detention centers in Texas and Pennsylvania (see full report on federal litigation). In January 2016, the PA Department of Human Services revoked the license to operate the Berks County Family Residential Center, and that facility has been operating without a license since February 22, 2016.
Since 2014, the Shut Down Berks Coalition has repeatedly presented the Secretary of the PA Department of Human Services (PA DHS) and Governor Tom Wolf with information on the human rights violations taking place at BCRC and what actions they can take to protect and release these families (see Human Rights First reports from Aug. 2015 and Feb. 2016). Extensive legal research was presented directly to Governor Wolf one year ago outlining the specific powers that he and PA DHS has to shut down BCRC, and yet he has refused to act. The laundry list of abuses suffered by parents and children, children as young as two weeks old, has not been enough to spur anything more than minimal action.
The continued incarceration of these immigrant families and the operation of BCRC is a disgrace and a stain on our Commonwealth. It is long past time for the Governor to take action.
What Can You Do?
- Call and ask the Governor to protect these families today: 717-787-2500.
- Attend the #ShutDownBerks Art and Action: Wed. Oct 25 at 12 pm, Philadelphia City Hall, North Entrance
Reverend Donrico E. Colden
I have visited this place and interacted with some of the immigrants that are detained in PA. – BERKS COUNTY We shouted, screamed, and prayed together. Of course, this had to be done from a distance, because they were caged and a barrier was set up that we could not cross.
Rev Sandra Mackie
I tentatively plan to contribute to the Governor’s re-election campaign. First I must know that he stands for dignity and human rights for ALL people.