BALTIMORE, March 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) President and CEO
Linda Hartke and Lutheran and
Catholic bishops toured the Dilley Family Detention Center in
Dilley, Texas on Friday. The faith
leaders, who visited with young mothers and children who fled
violence in Central America and
are now incarcerated, called on the U.S. government to end the
inhumane practice of family detention.
Last year, more than 68,000 families from Central America fled violence in their home
countries. Many of these families suffered trauma and abuse but
have been detained in order to deter further migration. Detention
can be retraumatizing and does not support their need for recovery
or healing. Successful and humane alternatives are available and it
has been demonstrated that case management and community support
are an effective way to ensure that people continue with
immigration legal proceedings.
Linda Hartke, LIRS President and
CEO, described the tour of the facility as "shocking and
heartbreaking." She said, "Hundreds of Central American immigrant
mothers and children who fled their homelands for their lives are
now locked up. But children, many of whom are babies and toddlers,
do not belong in jails – nor do their mothers who have acted only
to protect their very lives. Detention is inherently traumatic and
damaging, especially for people who have fled persecution and
violence in search of safety. We are advocating strongly to end the
inhumane practice of family detention."
A letter to President Obama signed by over 70 faith leaders from
across America was delivered today, Hartke announced. The letter is
signed by Lutheran and Catholic bishops, Jewish rabbis, and
prominent leaders from other Christian denominations. Guided by
their faith and "admonitions to care for and protect children," the
leaders urge President Obama to end the "inhumane and harmful"
practice of family detention. The letter states that "detaining
mothers and babies who come to this country in search of refuge
from violence and abuse is morally troubling," and calls on
President Obama to expand alternative to detention programs.
More information on family detention and its harmful effects can
be found at LIRS.org/familyvalues.
Founded in 1939, LIRS is the second largest refugee
resettlement agency in the United
States. It is nationally recognized for its leadership
advocating with refugees, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children,
immigrants in detention, families fractured by migration and other
vulnerable populations, and for providing services to migrants
through over 60 grassroots legal and social service partners across
the United States. With over 75
years of service and advocacy this year, LIRS has helped more than
500,000 migrants and refugees rebuild their lives in
America.
Press Contact: Miji Bell
mbell@lirs.org, (410) 230-2841
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SOURCE Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service