Poor Conditions for ICE Detainees Held at West County Detention Facility

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.