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U.S. Congress Members Join Call to End LGBTQ Immigrant Detention

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, a group of 35 Democratic Members of Congress called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to end the inhumane practice of detaining lesbian, gay, bisexual,and transgender (LGBT) people.

This congressional response comes in the midst of a hard-fought campaign led by immigrant activists, immigrant youth and allies.

Carlos Padilla, program coordinator of United We Dream’s Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project said:

United We Dream, along with other organizations, have led the campaign of ending the detention of LGBTQ immigrants, as ICE has continually proven incapable of ensuring their safety and well-being.”

“As we further the rights of LGBTQ people in this country, we must not forget of our LGBTQ immigrant community who continues to be disproportionately affected by abuse, including sexual assault, while in immigration detention.”

“Today’s Congressional letter urging DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson to act swiftly and decisively on behalf of transgender women and other LGBTQ people currently detained is a step in the right direction, and we encourage more Members of Congress to push for the end of LGBTQ detention.”

“We will not stop until freedom is won and until LGTBQ people are freed from the immigration enforcement system that terrorizes and profits from the incarceration and deportation of our community members.”

United We Dream, a leader int this fight, is the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation, a powerful nonpartisan network made up of 55 affiliate organizations in 26 states. UWD organizes and advocates for the dignity and fair treatment of immigrant youth and families, regardless of immigration status. We seek to address the inequities and obstacles faced by immigrant youth and believe that by empowering immigrant youth, we can advance the cause of the entire community—justice for all immigrants.

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