The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that conditions for immigrant
detainees at the
West County Detention Facility in Richmond
are getting steadily worse. According to a letter signed by 27 female
detainees and sent to Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in
Confinement (CIVIC), they are receiving poor and unfair treatment due
to their immigration status. CIVIC, a San Francisco organization, monitors
conditions at jails that hold detained immigrants. The immigrant women
claim that they are not given access to classroom learning materials that
are readily available to non-immigrant inmates. The women also allege
that jailers keep them locked up in cells for hours and tell them to either
hold it or to use biohazard bags in their cells if they need to go to
the bathroom. Additionally, according to immigration advocates and lawyers
who represent the women, their conditions have only further deteriorated
since the women spoke out against their unfair treatment. Now, the women
claim, guards are withholding soap and shampoo from them, and not permitting
them to brush their teeth following meals. The women reportedly are confined
to their cells, even when they are unlocked, and must be accompanied by
a guard in order to use the bathroom. Some California elected officials
have spoken out against the appalling claims, and have called upon the
California Attorney General, Xavier Becerra, to investigate the conditions
at the West County Detention Facility. One state senator reminded Becerra
by letter of the additional $1 million that the legislature provided his
office in order to look at ICE detention centers. While Becerra’s
office has stated its intention to look into the conditions at West County,
there appears to be no urgency or immediate plans to do so. Individuals
who may have a valid deportation defense need an experienced California
immigration attorney who can assist them with this often complex process. At
Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., we know how to stand up for the rights of those who are legally entitled
to remain in the U.S.
Call us today
at (510) 756-4468 and schedule an appointment with one of our deportation
defense lawyers, and learn how we can assist you.
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