Originally published: . Volume 12, No. 8. Source pages: 3.
In a July 20 press release, U.S. Congressman Garret Graves said he is demanding answers from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency regarding the number of immigrants and asylum- seekers that have been dropped off by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Louisiana. He said that what started as a crisis at the borders has now turned into a "crisis in our communities."
Graves wrote Acting Director Johnson, stating, "I am extremely concerned about emerging reports of federal authorities dropping off immigrants at airports and bus stops in Baton Rouge and across Louisiana. These detainees are reportedly being released from federal detention centers and transported across the state with little more than what ICE has called a 'temporary support plan.' "This approach is not only disorganized and illogical, but it also blatantly disregards the well-being and safety of these individuals and the communities they are being bussed to. Given the strain placed on state, local, and non-governmental organizations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, transferring responsibility for these detainees onto unsuspecting communities is a gross miscarriage of justice."
Graves ask for information, including the following: 1) Information about the number of immigrants and asylum-seekers that have been dropped off; 2) Any planned future transfers to transit facilities in Louisiana, […] 5) The cost to taxpayers associated with providing translators, food, water, clothing, housing, and other emergency support services to these detainees; […]
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