WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, held a press conference at the U.S. Capitol to demand humane treatment and accountability at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities. Ansari highlighted alarming conditions at the Eloy Detention Center in Arizona and called for urgent medical care for her constituent, Arbella “Yari” Rodríguez Márquez, who has leukemia and is not receiving adequate medical care. This past weekend, Rep. Ansari met with Yari in person during an oversight visit to the facility.
Following the press conference, Ansari sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons requesting a full and immediate update on Yari’s medical care, the steps ICE is taking to address her condition, and the justification for continued detention given her health and legal circumstances. Ansari emphasized the urgency of Yari being seen by an oncologist and set a deadline for a response within seven days.
Rep. Ansari and Haddy Gassama outside the U.S. Capitol Demanding Humane Conditions at ICE Facilities
“Yari was diagnosed with cancer over 10 years ago, and has not been able to see a specialist since she was detained in February. Yari is coughing up blood, too weak to stand, experiencing numbing, and has lost 55 pounds. She spoke to me in tears, begging to see an oncologist, and telling me that the detention center will merely give her Tylenol and stomach ulcer medicine–for cancer. Today, I’m using my voice to demand immediate medical action for Yari. She cannot wait one more day to receive the fair and humane treatment she deserves,” said Rep. Ansari.
“Eloy Detention Center is not equipped to treat Arbella. They deny the seriousness of her symptoms and offer only band-aid fixes instead of the specialist care and proper medical facility she urgently needs. Her friends and community fear that if she is not liberated soon, she will lose her life. I fear I will lose my best friend,” said Yari’s best friend and case advocate.
“The federal government is pouring billions into expanding a cruel and unaccountable detention system—erecting tent camps on military bases, remote swamps and deserts, contracting with private prison companies, and hiding behind secrecy. Detaining sick and vulnerable people like Yari, who is battling cancer at Arizona’s Eloy facility, where care is lacking and her life is at stake is inhumane and must stop. Congress has a duty to demand full transparency, enforce oversight, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are not funding human rights abuses,” said Haddy Gassama, Senior Policy Counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union.
Watch the livestream HERE.
Read Ansari’s letter to Acting Director Todd Lyons HERE.
BACKGROUND
Last weekend, Ansari returned to the Eloy Detention Center to conduct her second oversight visit of the facility and attempt to meet with her constituents who are detained there. Last month, despite complying with the newly imposed guidance by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Ansari received notification that she was denied access to meet with her detained constituents less than 24 hours before the scheduled visit.
During her visit this past weekend, Ansari met with two of her constituents whose families she has corresponded with, as well as a list of detainees who voluntarily signed up to speak with her inside the facility. All told, 98 people signed up to speak with her. View a video recap of Ansari’s visit HERE.
On May 29, Ansari conducted a surprise visit to the Eloy Detention Center. While inside, Ansari heard stories that confirmed reports of dehumanizing treatment towards detainees, dirty and uninhabitable living conditions, and lack of medical and mental health care. She was denied meetings with specific detainees with whom she requested meetings.
Following her first visit, Ansari sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons detailing her deep concerns about the inhumane conditions of the Eloy ICE Detention Center and demanding answers and independent oversight. ICE’s response came over a month after Ansari’s June 23 deadline, and denied claims Ansari herself heard from detainees.
Follow @RepYassAnsari on all social media platforms and visit Ansari.House.govto learn more.
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