WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) joined 135 of his Democratic colleagues, including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, in sending a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, expressing deep concerns with the Department’s “continued detention of mothers and children in secure, jail-like facilities.” The letter sites troublesome conditions of confinement, issues of due process, and serious developmental and medical concerns of those being detained as reasons DHS “has not fully grasped the serious harm being inflicted upon mothers and children in custody.”

“It is unconscionable to think that right now, hundreds of mothers and children are being denied their liberty and due process in jail-like detention centers in our own backyard,” said Rep. Grijalva. “Most of these detainees are asylum seekers fleeing terrible violence in their home countries. They arrive at our borders seeking safety and [protection, and instead face new threats from terrible conditions, developmental and medical concerns from detainment, and a complete lack of due process. It’s time for DHS to recognize our nation’s commitment to protecting public safety and the rule cannot come at the expense of our commitment to refugee families.”

In addition to today’s letter, Rep. Grijalva also published an op-ed on Mother’s Day in honor of mothers detained in ICE custody.

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