Since its inception, ICE has routinely violated human rights. ICE agents & police officers colluding with ICE engage in racial profiling & warrantless searches, detain people without probable cause, & fabricate evidence.
ICE provides deadly substandard medical care to those in detention. In 2020, 21 people died in ICE custody—the highest level in 15 years. The agency has also been the subject of more than 1,200 complaints of sexual & physical abuse.
Despite ICE’s long history of human rights violations, the agency has remained unaccountable to the courts, to our communities, & to Congress, which has repeatedly urged ICE to improve detention standards & address fiscal mismanagement—demands the agency has largely ignored.
As a Human Rights Activist, Australian Citizen & a supporter of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), I believe that everyone should be treated with dignity & respect. Congress must abolish Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) & prioritize the well-being of all people & a humane approach to migration—instead of abusive enforcement.
A first hand witness of ICE violating human rights, fabricating evidence for detainment by engaging searches without grounds, fabricating statements and evidence with Border Force.
ICE in 2020, jailed tens of thousands of immigrants in detention centers—where COVID-19 cases have surged amid unsanitary conditions and inadequate health care. It was also revealed that nonconsensual hysterectomies were being performed on women detained in Georgia. And over the summer, ICE agents were deployed against people taking part in peaceful protests for racial justice across the country.
Instead of detaining people & allowing ICE to continue Human Rights abuses the USA must provide immigrants with access to legal and social services to resolve their immigration cases, remain with their families, & stay safe in our communities. Investing in these services—along with things like education, health care, & jobs—will serve our communities far better than wasting billions of dollars on abusive immigration enforcement.
End ICE abuses once & for all.
After hearing almost a year of illegalities and dehumanising treatment about Berkeley County Detention Center, I not only joined the movement to abolish ICE, I also addressed the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) with my concerns. As follows forwarded via contact form as well as numerous emails to be forwarded to the newly elected Director.
To Colette S. Peters,
Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. I am an Australian citizen, Human Rights Activist and succeeding developer of Empowerment brand Barbwire Noose (clothing label) who is also fiancee to a (now) incarcerated American citizen with an abrasive passion for a justice society and a good heart.
I recently travelled to America (13th August 2022), stopped by ICE as I was informed by the Honolulu Detention Center Major. Unsure why ICE had immediately flagged my passport it was brought to my attention that I was being maliciously accused of numerous basis less and factless, defamatory claims. Some stemming from a torts civil claim about to finalise in Australia against sex offending and protecting police officers.
My position now basically clear, I am addressing you as Travis Enmon my fiancee was attacked by Major Fiya upon his incarceration last year. Travis was assaulted by Major Fiya slamming Travis head into a table and calling him 'white trash' (Major Fiya is Africa American, the comment during an assault a racist sler).
Criminal conduct witnessed by numerous staff and inmates, also recorded on camera.
The dehumanising and degrading conduct of this detention centre continues.
Myself enduring 2 nights in Honolulu Detention due to fabrications - ICE since its inception having an irrefutable track record of routinely violated human rights. ICE agents & police officers colluding with ICE engage in racial profiling & warrantless searches, detain people without probable cause, & fabricate evidence. Myself subject to severe reckless endangerment as a crown witness and previously recorded police officer in Australia. The agency ICE also been the subject of more than 1,200 complaints of sexual & physical abuse these actions were rather emotionally distressing for a sexual abuse survivor (myself) who was then subject to the low standards and lack of basic bedding and nutrition provided by BOP Honolulu.
First and foremost as incoming BOP Director I am calling on you improve detention standards & address fiscal mismanagement—demands clearly made of ICE and largely ignored.
As a Human Rights Activist and Australian Citizen I believe that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect prioritising the well-being of all people & a humane approach to immigration and visitors to the USA —instead of abusive enforcement.
Personally, a first hand witness of ICE violating human rights, fabricating evidence for detainment by engaging searches without grounds, fabricating statements and evidence with Border Force.
While detained I took the time to read the handbook which at the least outlines that the lack of pillows in the facility was not only dehumanising but clearly against policy to provide proper bedding. I asked for a pillow numerous times over a 24 hour period before staff and inmates admitted there were no pillows to provide and most inmates were without a pillow. The food I was given was uneatable. Shrivelled and bruised oranges, some apparent powder milk, food prepared by inmates which appeared to have had a male guard ejaculate on it. I was jabbed with a tuberculosis vaccine without my medical records examined to see when this needle was administered last. I was denied access to speak to the Australian consulate, legal representation or my family. My family rang the consulate and were unable to locate myself even though I elected for the Australian consulate to be notified of my whereabouts. Many Human rights violations in this BOP detention centre.
I understand the responsibility for the operation of 122 Bureau of Prisons' facilities, six regional offices, two staff training centers, two contract facilities and 22 residential reentry management offices are yours. Being responsible for the oversight and management of approximately 35,000 staff and 157,700 federal inmates is a large task and knowing the conduct of power tripping Majors and the culture they seed throughout the facility also a large task to keep up with.
That stated, your creditors are outstanding, your understanding of rehabilitation over dehumanisation is commendable. Your efforts to prepare inmates to integrate back into society with purpose and function read well also. 30 years of experience in public safety and is the first woman to serve as the ODOC Director. She was also the Chair of the National Institute of Corrections Advisory Board and a past Vice President of the Association of State Correctional Administrators. Beginning your career in public safety as a Victim Advocate and Crisis Mediator with the Denver Police Department.
I could go on. My credentials include influencing community participation into an era of integrity regarding government department accountability. I advocate numerous Human Rights issues and have most currently authored some of the most honest and ground breaking truths to reshape policing into a direction of integrity in Australia.
I am an astute legal student and have assisted police locally and globally regarding complexities of organised crime.
Ms. Peters addressing yourself, like myself, you stand out to be a humane figure with a approach which can not only influence cultural change in the BOP. You also seem like a person who can take action.
Major Fiya assaulted my fiancee, I'm clearly not going to accept this activity as okay. Simple Assault the accurate charge Travis should currently be facing after defending himself in a Domestic violence incident to which the aggressor has a history of. Major Fiya should face simple assault charges for his attack on Travis. Furthermore Major Fiya encouragement of infighting is slso a concern.
The Detention Center of Berkeley is undeniably overcrowded. The pod Travis is locked in holds 35 people, yet over 50 people are detained here. Last year Berkeley County Detention Center was exposes in the media regarding this issue. Recently witnessed by a visiting Sheriff who can not deny the overcrowded pod. Matters witnessed by overseeing authorities and myself making complaints about concerns, what steps are being taken to adhere to legislation and policies in both Honolulu Detention and Berkeley County SC Detention Center?
Assuming none, what actions will you now take to address these illegalities and shortfalls regarding standards and prison policy?
Thank you for your time.