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Tell DHS to Implement Humane Alternatives to Detention
  1. Signatures
    507 out of 1,000
    Petitioning
    1. The President of the United States (+ 2 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • The President of the United States
      • Director, Congressional Relations and GAO/OIG Audit Liaison Office (Elliot Williams)
      • Assistant Secretary to ICE (John Morton)
  2. Created By
    Change.org
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates
Why This Is Important

The immigration detention system is both a human rights travesty and a massive money pit. Detainees are separated from their loved ones, can await a hearing for years, and are all too often subjected to medical negligence or sexual abuse.

These are people who are only charged with being in the country without authorization: these people have yet to be found to be wrongfully in the country at a court hearing, some are seeking asylum, and there are even wrongfully accused American citizens mixed in there.

However, there are alternatives to detention that are both lower cost and more humane. These alternatives, such as release on bail or with an ankle bracelet, allow those awaiting hearing to continue to work and be with their families in the meantime.

It's a bittersweet ending to receive permission to remain in the country after you've lost your job after being detained for month or years, while your family makes do without.

Tell the Department of Homeland Security and Obama to stop dragging their feet on reform to the immigration detention system and implement humane alternatives today.

Photo credit: amandabhslater

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Implement Humane Alternatives to Detention Immediately

Greetings,

The immigration detention system is both a human rights travesty and a massive money pit. Detainees are separated from their loved ones, can await a hearing for years, and are all too often subjected to medical negligence or sexual abuse. Reform has been promised, yet has yet to be seen.

The recent decision to release 17,000 detainees without serious criminal records and end removal proceedings was a heartening step in the right direction for justice and humanity, but since not all detainees can simply be released scot free, the need for change in the system remains pressing.

However, there are alternatives to detention that are both lower cost and more humane, as a new report from the Detention Watch Network outlined. These alternatives, such as release on bail or with an ankle bracelet, allow those awaiting hearing to continue to work and be with their families in the meantime.

It's a bittersweet ending to receive permission to remain in the country after you've lost your job after being detained for month or years, while your family makes do without.

It's time to stop dragging your feet on reform to the immigration detention system and implement humane alternatives today.

[Your name]