The New Jersey Domestic Workers Coalition expressed this Tuesday its support for the immigrants detained at the Delaney Hall center, administered by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE), where detained women have reported sexual abuseracism, screaming, lack of medical care and inadequate conditions.
The demonstration took place in front of the detention centerwithin the framework of International Domestic Workers Day. The participants came with aprons as a symbol of a work carried out largely by immigrant women in USA.
“What do we do when our rights are under attack? We have to be together today more than ever,” the workers expressed during the event.
They also stated: “We are here in solidarity with you and we are not going to leave you alone.”
Case of brothers who supported their families in Guatemala
During the activity, the story of Marta, an immigrant who could not attend the demonstration, but whose testimony was read to the attendees, was also shared. In the letter he reported that his brothers, Gilberto and Carlos, were detained by immigration agents in different operations carried out in the United States.
According to the story, Gilberto was arrested in January when he returned from work in New Jersey and he was later deported. Carlos was detained in May while working in Pennsylvania and continues to face immigration proceedings.
“Carlos was denied bail and there were many hearings. Gilberto was already deported. My brothers only cared about working to support their families in Guatemala,” Marta expressed in the letter read during the solidarity act.
The case was presented by the domestic workers as an example of the impact that immigration detentions have on families that depend on income sent from the United States, including those residing in Guatemala.
Detained women report fear, anxiety and family separation
The workers also took up fragments of a letter signed in May by 52 women detained at Delaney Hall, in which they denounced the physical and emotional effects of their confinement.
“The pain and fear are affecting us physically; our hair is falling out, some of us suffer anxiety attacks, we cannot sleep and we have no energy for anything. We are depressed by the separation from our loved ones,” the inmates said.
According to activists, the reported conditions they haven’t changed. Currently, about 40 women are on hunger strike, while demanding the release of mothers, women with health problems and young people under 21 years of age.
They also ask for the replacement of medical personnel, constant access to drinking water and the dismissal of a security guard accused of alleged sexual assault against at least 10 women.
“We are mothers, we are daughters, we are sisters. We are all women who are being unjustly imprisoned. We all pay taxes, we are doing things well, we showed up for our trials and that’s when they arrested us. We need justice,” the detainees denounced.
Strike started in May
In Delaney Hall, about 300 immigrants, men and women, began a hunger and labor strike on May 22 to demand better conditions and respect for their rights.
Several men participating in the protest They were transferred to other detention centers. During these transfers, there have been clashes between protesters who are holding a vigil in front of the prison and ICE agents.
According to data from the New Jersey Domestic Workers Coalition, 44% of those who perform domestic work in the United States were born outside the country.
Women represent 82% of personal care assistants, 95% of cleaning and domestic service staff and 97% of those who care for children. The organization also indicated that Hispanic workers have a high presence in these jobs.