Justice for Romero who died in a KY jail awaiting deportation

 

The recent tragic death of Ana Romero while in the Franklin County, Kentucky, jail raises many questions of morality, decency and the humane treatment of persons awaiting deportation. Please sign this petition to demand justice and a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ana Romero's death. You can sign the petition here: http://www.anaromero.org/.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Justice for Ana Romero

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

The family of Ana Romero and surrounding communities deserve answers. What kind of treatment do persons awaiting deportation receive in jail? Why was Ana Romero placed in solitary confinement? What was the true cause of her death?

While we all know that immigration policy needs fundamental reform, how many hard-working immigrants -- many US citizens -- across the US are going to have to suffer from the deepening climate of repression and fear created by the racist and exclusionary policies implemented by ICE? How much longer will low-paid, hard-working communities of immigrants be traumatized by raids and detentions?

We, the undersigned family members, organizations and individuals motivated by our consciences and our faiths, demand answers to these questions.

We demand justice and a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ana Romero's death.

We demand moral, decent and humane treatment of all persons in jail, regardless of their immigration status, national origin, skin color or language.

Signed by:

Campaign Launched:
September 23, 2008


Background Information

 

Since 2005, the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has dramatically increased and intensified immigration raids -– in worksites, homes, parks, streets and communities nationwide.  These raids have created terror in our homes, schools and communities of faith.  Many immigration raids have been so sweeping and untargeted that they have ensnared U.S. citizens and permanent residents.  Immigration agents have entered people’s homes during pre-dawn hours and have detained everyone living there including U.S. citizen children. 

ICE agents have descended on large work sites, shutting down operations, while detaining and interrogating all workers onsite including U.S. citizens and permanent residents.  Workers arrested in ICE raids have been deprived access to immigration counsel.  U.S. citizens have languished in immigration detention facilities across the country, and at least one U.S.-born citizen was deported to Mexico illegally.