Heinrich Calls For Investigation Into ICE Preparedness For Dealing With COVID-19

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement calling for an immediate investigation of the conditions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities and procedures put in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to staff and detainees.

“The health of all New Mexico communities continues to be my top priority. My office is working around the clock with federal, state, tribal, and local agencies to ensure that our state has the resources it needs to protect public health and keep families safe. I have serious concerns about constituent reports that ICE detention facilities in our state are unprepared to manage the coronavirus pandemic. I believe there is an immediate need to investigate conditions and oversight at all ICE detention facilities to provide a full accounting surrounding the procedures and supplies in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and protect the health of the staff of these facilities, detainees, and the general public. ICE should be fully transparent and publicly disclose all relevant information regarding the disease control at their facilities.

"Prison populations are particularly vulnerable to a coronavirus outbreak given the higher rates of underlying health issues and the condition of confinement making precautions like physical distancing challenging. However, there are science-based, lifesaving measures that must be in place to ensure staff and people in custody minimize their risk of contracting or spreading the coronavirus. This is not just about the health and safety of the people who go to work at these facilities everyday and the humane treatment of prisoners, it’s also about protecting the larger public from the rapid spread of this deadly disease.”