PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Tell ICE to Ensure Fair Treatment of Detainees with Mental Disabilities
  1. Signatures
    364 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. Deparment of Homeland Security Secretary (+ 1 other)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Deparment of Homeland Security Secretary (Janet Napolitano)
      • Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary (John Morton)
  2. Created By
    Kemi Bello
    Houston, TX
About this Petition Petition Letter

Detained immigrants with mental illness ranging from schizophrenia to manic depression face many challenges: they are often not given a proper medical evaluation upon detention, receive no treatment or inadequate treatment for their condition, are transferred to detention centers states away from their families and medical records, may lack access to legal counsel and may be unable to defend themselves from deportation.

A recent report by Texas Appleseed has several great policy recommendations for ICE to implement that are highlighted in the petitionbelow.

Also make your voice heard by calling:

*DHS Secretary, Janet Napolitano: (202) 282-8000

"Hi, I'm calling to urge ICE to implement fair and humane treatment of detained immigrants with mental disabilities. I ask Secretary Napolitano to push for changes in policy to ensure that these immigrants are given proper evaluation, medical care and alternatives to deportation if they are not a flight risk. Thank you."

*DHS Assistant Secretary John Morton: (202) 732-3000

"Hi, I'm calling to urge ICE to implement fair and humane treatment of detained immigrants with mental disabilities. I ask Assistant Secretary Morton to push for changes in policy to ensure that these immigrants are given proper evaluation, medical care and alternatives to deportation if they are not a flight risk. Thank you."

Recent Signatures

Ensure Fair Treatment and Care of Detained Immigrants with Mental Disabilities

Greetings,

I am writing to you today about the plight of detained immigrants who have mental disabilities. These immigrants are often not given a proper medical evaluation upon detention, receive no treatment or inadequate treatment for their condition, are transferred to detention centers states away from their families and medical records, may lack access to legal counsel and may be unable to defend themselves from deportation.

I urge you to strongly consider the following changes in ICE detention policy, as recommended by a Texas Appleseed study:

1. Establish improved and consistent procedures for screening and diagnosis of mental health in detention.

2. Improve mental health treatment and care in detention.

3. Train detention center personnel to interact appropriately with detainees with mental disabilities.

4. Develop an electronic medical records management system.

5. Ensure immediate transfer of a detainee's medical records upon facility transfer.

6. Establish procedures for meaningful collection of data regarding respondents with medical disabilities in the immigration system.

7. Adopt clear procedures governing safe domestic release of detainees.

8. Ensure safe repatriation of immigrants with mental disabilities.

The entire study, including these recommendations, can be found here: http://bit.ly/aklXGv

Thank you.

[Your name]

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