Hundreds in Elizabeth protest immigration facilities at ‘Close the Camps’ rally – NorthJersey.com

ELIZABETH – They came from all over the state Tuesday evening to the Elizabeth immigration detention center, outraged over reports of neglect and dangerous living conditions for immigrants, including children, being held at border facilities. 

The demonstrators, around 200 people, clutched homemade signs and chanted “Close the Camps” and “Shame.” They demanded that the Trump administration close immigration detention facilities around the country, defund federal agencies that help detain and deport immigrants, and reunite families who have been separated by tougher immigration policies. 

“I can’t imagine, now that we have a child, being separated, and knowing what is going on with the kids,” said Tina Jensen of Guttenberg, who arrived with her husband Joel Garcia and their 2-year-old son, Ethan.   “I feel the least we can do is show up.” 

The demonstration was part of a national day of action that consisted of several “Close the Camps” events across the country, including in New York City and San Francisco.  Organizers and activists posted information about events online, drawing people who had never attended such rallies. 

Stacey Gregg, who organized the Elizabeth protest, said the planning came together in 36 hours. The Elizabeth immigration detention center was chosen, she said, because it has been the site of previous protests and it houses around 300 detainees for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

“Inhumanity and injustice are happening and it’s not in fashion,” she said. “Everyone is seeing the bodies of last week.” 

Gregg was referring to a media image of a man from El Salvador and his 23-month-old daughter who drowned crossing the Rio Grande.

“I just don’t think what we are doing reflects the values of this country,” said Naz Pakizegi, of Montclair, who started to cry as she spoke. “Just thinking of the children, the parents, and the desperation that brings people out.” 

The nationwide protests were held the day that the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General released its final report on the overcrowding conditions of several immigration facilities in the Rio Grande Valley. 

The report entitled “DHS Needs to Address Dangerous Overcrowding and Prolonged Detention of Children and Adults in the Rio Grande Valley,’‘ contained photographs of the overcrowding inspectors witnessed. Some photographs showed several adults being held in cages and lying on concrete floors. It also found that the government was holding roughly 30 percent of minor detainees for longer than the 72 hours permitted. 

While the protest was happening in Elizabeth, U.S. Border Patrol announced that it was searching for a missing 2-year-old in the Rio Grande River near Del Rio. The agency said the girl’s mother, a national from Haiti, told agents she had lost her daughter while crossing the river. 

“Any time a child is lost it is a tragic event,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Raul L. Ortiz, in a statement. “I cannot imagine the anguish the parents of this young girl must be feeling and I hope our search efforts pay off with a positive outcome.” 

In Elizabeth, several elected officials attended, including Essex County Freeholder Brendan Gill, who called for the closing of facilities he referred to as “concentration camps.” He said that he supports ending Essex County’s agreement with ICE to house detainees at their jail. The agreement, which has been in existence for years, has been criticized by activists who have called for officials to terminate the contract. 

“This is a long-haul fight,” he said. “These things do not happen overnight, they happen with people who are dedicated….and eventually with elected officials that take action.” 

Speeches were often interrupted by the sound of planes overhead, so organizers said they would lift their arms in solidarity with immigration detainees every time a plane flew by. The participants lifted their arms more than 30 times. 

“The stories, they are just hard to believe,” said the Rev. Nancy Young, who traveled from Sussex County with her husband, the Rev. David Young. “To see all these people here, from so many different groups together, it’s amazing. We wore our collars because this is not a Christian value….and it’s not an American value. The Fourth of July is coming and this is shameful that we have to do this.” 

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