A little over a month after the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office decided to end to its contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at West County Detention Facility (WCDF), the agency has transferred the remaining individuals across state lines to Colorado and Washington state.
“The decision by ICE to conduct a mass transfer of individuals away from their families and legal representation is not only vindictive, it is also a violation of their due process,” said Rebecca Merton, the National Visitation Coordinator for Freedom for Immigrants. “The Sheriff’s complete disregard for a just and responsible closure, along with ICE’s refusal to use prosecutorial discretion to release individuals in their communities, has resulted in a continuation of the Trump administration’s family separation policies. We will continue to advocate for all directly impacted folks and challenge this oppressive system.”
Freedom for Immigrants, along with Contra Costa Immigrant Rights Alliance, the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity and the Immigrant Family Defense Fund, raised more than $108,000 through the WCDF Community Fund, which led to bonding out 16 individuals as well as providing direct support grants to 9 families and covering the costs of 6 flights.
After spending 10 months in WCDF, Jasiel, a 32-year-old father and resident of Marina, CA, was bonded out with the assistance of the WCDF Community Fund to be reunited with his wife Almadelia, 9-year-old daughter, and 7-year-old son. Upon his return home, Almadelia shared the following message with supporters of the fund: "Thank you so much! We are all together again and it wouldn't have been possible without your support."
To learn more about how you can contribute to the West County Detention Facility Community Fund, click here.