Immigration

Border & Immigration

Trump Immigration Ban Halts Green Cards, Not Temporary Visas

Jill Colvin and Ben Fox / Associated Press

President Donald Trump says he'll sign an executive order “to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States" because of the coronavirus. He is offering no details on what he is referring to and the White House did not immediately elaborate on Trump’s tweeted announcement.
Border & Immigration

Immigration Detainees Launch Hunger Strike As Outbreak Grows At Otay Mesa Detention Center

Max Rivlin-Nadler

A detainee inside the Otay Mesa center says at least 26 people in his pod refused meals on Friday. They’re protesting a lack of health care precautions that has led to the largest outbreak in immigration detention in the country.
KPBS Evening Edition

California To Send Relief To Undocumented Workers, But Is It Enough?

Max Rivlin-Nadler

As federal stimulus checks hit the bank accounts of millions of Americans this week, one group of mostly essential workers have been left out — undocumented workers.
KPBS Evening Edition

Feinstein, Harris Call For Investigation Into Otay Mesa Detention Center

City News Service

In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General also signed by Rep. Juan Vargas, the leaders cited reports that detainees were being required to sign documentation in order to receive protective masks.
Border & Immigration

Otay Mesa COVID-19 Outbreak Now The Largest At A US Immigration Detention Center

Max Rivlin-Nadler

There are now 19 detainees with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the privately-run Otay Mesa Detention Center. Eight staff members have also tested positive.
Border & Immigration

Detained Immigrants Plead For Masks, Protection From Virus

The Associated Press

The coronavirus is spreading in immigration detention, with more than 70 detainees in 12 states testing positive and hundreds of others under quarantine. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has started to lower its detainee population to reduce the risk of people getting sick.
Border & Immigration

10 Detainees Now Positive For COVID-19 At Otay Mesa Detention Center

Max Rivlin-Nadler

During a virtual news conference Thursday, immigrant advocates, health experts, and politicians called on the federal government to release as many detainees as possible from Otay Mesa.
Border & Immigration

Complaint Disputes Border Patrol's Version Of In-Custody Birth

Max Rivlin-Nadler

In February, the Border Patrol announced that it had safely helped an asylum-seeker give birth while in custody. But a new complaint says the woman instead gave birth holding on to the side of a garbage can while still wearing pants.
KPBS Evening Edition

6 Detainees, 5 Employees Test Positive For Coronavirus At Otay Mesa Detention Center

Max Rivlin-Nadler

There are now six confirmed cases of COVID-19 among detainees at the Otay Mesa Detention Center and five among employees. Immigrant advocates now fear a wider coronavirus outbreak in the facility is inevitable.
Border & Immigration

Employee At Detention Center Tests Positive for COVID-19, As Fears Of Outbreak Grow

Max Rivlin-Nadler

Immigrant advocates are alarmed at what they see as the beginning of a larger possible outbreak at a facility they believe has not taken enough precautions to protect its detainees and staff.