Immigration and Customs Enforcement has faced mounting pressure from lawmakers and immigrant advocates to address the health risk posed by the coronavirus to the more than 40,000 adults and children being detained in centers across the country. Jenny Burke, a spokeswoman for the agency, said on Tuesday that ICE had instructed its field offices to identify individuals who are considered particularly vulnerable, such as those over 60 or pregnant.
Ms. Burke said the agency had identified 600 such detainees, and that 160 have been released. ICE has said it is still conducting some high priority arrests.
The announcement of the releases, first reported by Buzzfeed News, comes after a series of ongoing lawsuits have prompted the release of various ICE detainees facing health problems.
At least 19 immigrant detainees have tested positive for Covid-19 in facilities in New Jersey, Arizona, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan and California. Guards and health care providers at other facilities have also tested positive for the virus, and additional groups of detainees are being isolated and observed for potential exposure.
Reference: NY Times
