Family members of immigrants detained at the West County Detention Facility in Richmond Saturday called for the immediate release of their loved ones.
The Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity held a press conference with the family members at 11 a.m. Saturday at the facility at 5555 Giant Highway.
Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston Tuesday announced plans to end a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Marshals Service that allowed ICE to house detainees at the detention facility.
The undocumented immigrants affected by the closure of the facility could be relocated to other facilities as far away as Colorado or Hawaii, Livingston said, based on past precedent set when other counties have taken similar actions.
"Now instead of being hosed close to family members or local attorneys, ICE may have to depend on its national system of detention bed space to place those detainees in locations father away," said Lori K. Haley, communication director for the Department of Homeland Security.
The family members are calling for what they describe as a just and responsible closure of the facility that will involve releasing all detained immigrants and access to legal representation, according to the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity.
"It’s been 11 months since he’s been here," said Audriana. "It’s terrifying I don’t know if I'm going to be able to see him again."
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Audriana's step dad, who is originally from Mexico, was detained less than two months ago.
The family members are calling for what they describe as a just and responsible closure of the facility that will involve releasing all detained immigrants and access to legal representation, according to the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity.
