Task Force Calls for Release of All Undocumented LGBTQ Immigrants from Detention

Washington, DC, June 1, 2015—Today, LGBTQ advocates, civil rights organizations, business leaders, and immigrant communities across the nation are celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month. In observance of the first annual month-long celebration, the National LGBTQ Task Force is calling on the President to release all undocumented LGBTQ immigrants from detention centers.

“Millions across the country are celebrating the rich cultural, linguistic, and political contributions diverse immigrant communities have made to the US. For more than two centuries, our nation has served as a beacon of hope for immigrants fleeing persecution, poverty, famine, violence, genocide and war. Yet our country’s immigration system has not always been welcoming to those in most desperate need for freedom, justice, and equality.

“To this day, undocumented immigrants are denied access to the promise of America—the pursuit of happiness and the opportunity to provide for their families. Far worse is the treatment of undocumented immigrant women, children, and LGBTQ people in detention centers. At these profit-driven detention facilities, LGBTQ people are fifteen times more likely than others to experience physical assault and rape. It is crystal clear that the most vulnerable cannot be kept safe in these detention centers that is why we are urging the Administration to release all undocumented LGBTQ immigrants once and for all,” said Rea Carey, National LGBTQ Task Force Executive Director.

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CONTACT:
Jorge Amaro
Media and Public Relations Director
213-842-7564
jamaro@thetaskforce.org