A New Leadership Needed in Immigrations and Customs Enforcement

Contact: Priya Doshi, Rights Working Group, 202-296-2300 Ext. 125

Rights Working Group Calls for New Assistant Secretary to Demonstrate a Commitment to American Values

Washington, D.C., November 14, 2008 – In response to the resignation of Julie Myers as Assistant Secretary of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) which becomes effective tomorrow, the Rights Working Group urges President-Elect Obama to use this opportunity to find a new head of ICE who will review misguided immigration enforcement policies carried out in the name of national security.

The current system of immigration enforcement put into place by the Bush Administration has squandered resources by sweeping up hundreds and thousands of individuals - including citizens and legal residents - in immigration raids. In these raids, ICE has failed to uphold basic human rights and due process protections guaranteed to all people living in the U.S., by denying individuals access to an attorney, a fair day in court or judicial review of individual circumstances. Moreover, inhumane detention conditions at ICE facilities have resulted in more than 80 deaths since 2004, many of them preventable.

"While enforcing immigration laws is important and necessary, the way that the Bush Administration has been implementing the laws has undermined this nation's founding principles of due process and human rights. The 'ends justifies the means' approach to immigration enforcement cannot continue. President-Elect Obama should take this opportunity to reaffirm our country's commitment to civil liberties and human rights, while examining whether ICE's current immigration enforcement policies are contributing to or detracting from national security," said Margaret Huang, Executive Director of the Rights Working Group. "We are a stronger country when we respect the Constitution and uphold the rights of everyone in the U.S."

The Rights Working Group proposes the following criteria as the key requirements for the new Assistant Secretary of ICE:

• Strong commitment to upholding the U.S. Constitution and the basic freedoms it guarantees including due process for all people in the U.S.
• Commitment to provide transparency and accountability to Congress and the American public
• Commitment to partnering with civil society organizations to develop, implement, monitor and assess government programs and policies
• Respect for the diversity of viewpoints and experiences in immigrant communities in the U.S. and the ability to develop constructive relationships with these communities
• Knowledge of and commitment to upholding international human rights law and relevant treaty obligations that require the U.S. government to respect the rights of all individuals without regard to national origin or citizenship status.

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The Rights Working Group is a coalition of 250 community-based grassroots groups and national organizations formed in the aftermath of 9-11 that calls on the government to protect the civil liberties and human rights of all people living in the U.S. RWG is currently coordinating a national campaign to Hold the Department of Homeland Security Accountable! for conducting raids without due process and perpetuating inhumane immigration detention conditions.