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LOS ANGELES: Undocumented immigrants detained in the United States at higher risk of coronavirus due to their age or medical condition launched an appeal in federal court on Wednesday for their release.
The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco on behalf of 13 detainees, said “crowded and unsanitary conditions” in immigration prisons would make migrants even more susceptible to the disease.
“There is no valid justification for locking up immigrants and putting their lives at risk,” said public defender Manohar Raju.
“This is an unprecedented crisis that compels us to take swift action before it’s too late.”
The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the nation’s largest human rights organisation. It said on Wednesday that one of the plaintiffs had already been released. On Tuesday, the first coronavirus case in a detention center was reported -- a 31-year-old Mexican in New Jersey. (AFP)
The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco on behalf of 13 detainees, said “crowded and unsanitary conditions” in immigration prisons would make migrants even more susceptible to the disease.
“There is no valid justification for locking up immigrants and putting their lives at risk,” said public defender Manohar Raju.
“This is an unprecedented crisis that compels us to take swift action before it’s too late.”
The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the nation’s largest human rights organisation. It said on Wednesday that one of the plaintiffs had already been released. On Tuesday, the first coronavirus case in a detention center was reported -- a 31-year-old Mexican in New Jersey. (AFP)
