Help from a Miami ICE Detention Lawyer
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) responded to recommendations by a Miami federal judge by refusing to provide accountability reports and rejecting the authority of the court. On April 22, 2020, Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman issued a 69-page list of recommendations to ICE to assist the agency in managing risks to detainees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the recommended practices involved reducing the number of people held in Miami ICE detention centers by releasing non-criminal detainees and reporting on conditions inside the facilities on a twice-weekly basis.
Directives Rejected by ICE
The recommendations made by Judge Goodman were dismissed by ICE officials, who stated that the federal courts have no authority about detention or release of confined immigrants and that there was no basis for the court to require oversight of ICE policies as they apply to immigrants being held in Miami ICE detention facilities. This could present real issues for families seeking the release of their loved ones to protect them against the coronavirus outbreak.
Serious Risks for Immigrants in Custody
Immigrants currently housed in Miami ICE detention facilities have minimal access to cleaning materials. In most cases, they are not provided with personal protective equipment, including masks and hand sanitizer. Judge Goodman’s recommendations included a requirement for ICE to provide soap and cleaning supplies for these detainees.
ICE has also implemented cohorting, which is the practice of grouping inmates together based on exposure to COVID-19 or the presence of symptoms associated with the coronavirus. Cohorting is not recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or other medical authorities because it can increase the risk of transmission of the virus among vulnerable or crowded populations.
Seeking the Right Legal Representation
For many families worried about the safety and health of detainees in ICE facilities, working with a Miami immigration lawyer can provide the assistance needed to pursue legal action against ICE and other federal agencies responsible for putting these individuals at risk. Your Miami immigration lawyer can help you deal with the legal aspects of detention in these facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hiring a Miami ICE Detention Lawyer
At Pozo Goldstein, we are still here to provide the support and legal representation you and your family need to navigate the immigration process. Our team, which includes two former immigration prosecutors and a former judge, can offer the most practical and positive solutions for visa issues, detention and deportation cases and other problems facing you and your family during this difficult time. To schedule an initial consultation by telephone or Skype, call us today at 305-856-0400. We look forward to the chance to serve you.
