1/26/21
By Karla Barber
What’s Next? Postcard Campaign
Postcard #4: Mailing February 2-5: End Immigrant Detention
This campaign is being sent to President Biden, Vice President Harris, Alejandro Mayorkas (nominated to head Department of Homeland Security) and Xavier Becerra (Health and Human Services.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Download Postcard #4 (Photo Collage of immigrants in detention)
2. Print your postcards: Four postcards per sheet, double sided (needs to include the photo credit on the back) on card stock. You can purchase card stock and cut apart or Avery has postcard stock available that is perforated for separation (any of their products that are 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", 4 per sheet). If you do not have capability to print double sided, you can print single side.
3. Talking points for Postcard 4 - Immigrant Detention:
- The entire system of detaining asylum seekers and immigrants must end.
- Should humans be treated like criminals for simply seeking asylum?
- Immigrant detention has become a money maker – 80% of immigrants are incarcerated in prisons owned by private companies.
- ICE acts with impunity, with disregard for Congressional Oversight.
- There are many cases of abuse in immigrant detention facilities, from their notorious lack of medical care for immigrants to sexual abuse, forced sterilization and use of severe punishments such as isolation for perceived behavioral infractions.
- In 2020, 21 people died in ICE detention.
- During the COVID 19 pandemic, detained immigrants are in danger; ICE has control over whether to release people or not. People have not been released and ICE is spreading within facilities and in communities with ICE facilities.
- There are humane alternatives to detention where asylum seekers and immigrants can be with their families or sponsors as they wait for their court hearings. These alternatives take much less taxpayer money to implement too.
- Do not build new detention centers. Do not renew contracts.
- Dismantle detention centers.
4. Addresses to mail cards:
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
Vice President Harris
The White House
Office of the Vice President
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas
Secretary of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
The Honorable Xavier Becerra
Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
5. Apply a 35 cent postcard stamp to each card
6. Drop your cards in the mail between February 2-5.