March 16, 2020

Congressman Correa’s Urges AG Barr To Suspend All Immigration Courts & Release Detainees 

Washington, DC - Today Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA-46) sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr, urging him to postpone all upcoming immigration court hearings and parol non-violent detainees.

In the letter, Rep. Correa said, “The confinement of detention centers and high traffic courtrooms make everyone more vulnerable to this extremely contagious disease. Detainees who are in poor health are at high risk of contracting coronavirus and potentially dying in detention. This is not safe, nor is it justice.”

Read the letter below. Click here to see the letter.

March 15, 2020

The Honorable William Barr
Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530

Dear Mr. Attorney General:

I applaud the Department of Justice’s swift action in postponing non-detained immigrants’ immigration hearings through April 10 in Boston, Los Angeles, Newark, New York City, Sacramento, and San Francisco. As the threat of coronavirus grows, we all must do our part to stop the spread of this virus and protect vulnerable communities and vital national assets.

Your decision shows the Department of Justice is taking its responsibilities seriously. I urge you to expand this decision. Postpone all immigration hearings across the United States, and parol non-violent detainees currently in custody.

According to news reports, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is tracking the coronavirus outbreak and that some detainees have met the criteria for testing. The confinement of detention centers and high traffic courtrooms make everyone more vulnerable to this extremely contagious disease. Additionally, detainees who are in poor health are at high risk of contracting coronavirus and potentially dying in detention. This is not safe, nor is it justice.

It is imperative we protect our courts, law enforcement officers, and immigrants. Please act before it is too late.

Sincerely,



J. Luis Correa
Member Of Congress

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Rep. Lou Correa represents California’s 46th Congressional District. He serves as Chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, and as the Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. Read more here.