To: President Obama, Esther Olavarria, John Amaya:
I write to ask for the immediate parole and release of the Syrian families who are being held at the Dilley Family Detention Center in South Texas. These families have already received a positive fear finding, showing that they would face persecution if returned to Syria. Given the Obama Administration’s recent comments on the need for America to respect the rights of refugees, I ask that these families immediately be released and that the Obama Administration end its practice of jailing refugee babies and their parents!

The Syrian families are now being told by ICE officials, despite having already shown not to be a flight risk nor a danger to the community, that they could face indefinite detention. The Obama administration’s failed experiment in family detention has already been found to be against the law, and so the Administration should do the right thing here by releasing these families. The continued detention of those fleeing immense violence is very problematic as it further traumatizes the children and mothers detained.

I ask that you please take immediate action to release these Syrian refugees and bring the practice of family detention to an end!

Categories: Deportation Cases, Open Cases