WRC Outraged Over US Government Housing Families at the Artesia Detention Center & "Expedited Review"

Today's announcement by the Obama Administration that it has begun detaining women and children at the Artesia family detention facility – and is beginning the process of rapidly deporting these families back to the dangerous situations they fled, with the purpose of 'sending a message' – is more than just bad policy.

“Today’s announcement by the Obama Administration that it has begun detaining women and children at the Artesia family detention facility – and is beginning the process of rapidly deporting these families back to the dangerous situations they fled, with the purpose of ‘sending a message’ – is more than just bad policy. It is an appalling abdication of America’s responsibilities both under US and international law.

Simply put, we are profoundly disturbed by the White House’s willingness to sacrifice the lives of women and children for short-term political cover in this humanitarian crisis. Family detention is an awful and heartbreaking process that traumatizes parents and their children. The Obama Administration should know better. The announced expedited process of deportations is not due process, but a mockery of justice from officials just trying to sweep endangered women and children out of sight and out of mind.”

For more information, read this article from the El Paso Times. 

For interviews with Michelle Brané, in either English or Spanish, please contact Diana Quick at 212.551.3087.