Reports emerge of
physical coercion measures used to obtain signatures of Cameroonian ICE detainees
on deportation orders
“We
write to request an immediate investigation into reports of physical abuse of
detained people of Cameroonian origin in Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) custody for the purpose of unlawfully coercing them to sign deportation
orders. These allegations assert that ICE and contract employees used pepper
spray, physical restraints, and other coercive measures to obtain the
signatures and fingerprints of detainees on travel documents for their removal
from the United States,” wrote the Senators.
The
Senators continued,
“Our offices have received a deluge of calls from community members, legal
advocates, and individuals from around the country who are desperately worried
about the potential fate of these asylum-seekers. These people sought asylum in
the United States because they were fleeing a violent and dangerous conflict
that is still ongoing. They are targets of government forces and armed
separatist groups and their lives will be at risk if they are deported.”
The Senators stressed the
violence and danger awaiting those who have been displaced, noting, “Roughly
700,000 people have been displaced and several thousand have been killed since
the conflict in Cameroon began, with over 3.9 million in desperate need of
humanitarian support. ICE detainees who would be returned to Cameroon face a
high risk of being detained, beaten, disappeared, tortured, or killed. The use
of coercion to force detainees to sign deportation orders against their will,
to deport them to a country where they face a high risk of torture or death, is
unconscionable.”
The Senators closed the
letter by urging the Administration to respond to these allegations, writing, “Several
of us have written separately to Acting Secretary Wolf urging the Department to
halt the deportation of Cameroonian asylum-seekers. We now urge you to
investigate these allegations of abuse. We look forward to your prompt
response.”
The
full text of the letter is available here
and below.
Dear
Dr. Cuffari:
We
write to request an immediate investigation into reports of physical abuse of
detained people of Cameroonian origin in Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) custody for the purpose of unlawfully coercing them to sign deportation
orders. These allegations assert that ICE and contract employees used pepper
spray, physical restraints, and other coercive measures to obtain the
signatures and fingerprints of detainees on travel documents for their removal
from the United States. We share the deep concerns of our colleagues in the
House of Representatives who have contacted you on this matter.
Our
offices have received a deluge of calls from community members, legal
advocates, and individuals from around the country who are desperately worried
about the potential fate of these asylum-seekers. These people sought asylum in
the United States because they were fleeing a violent and dangerous conflict
that is still ongoing. They are targets of government forces and armed
separatist groups and their lives will be at risk if they are deported.
Roughly
700,000 people have been displaced and several thousand have been killed since
the conflict in Cameroon began, with over 3.9 million in desperate need of
humanitarian support. ICE detainees who would be returned to Cameroon face a
high risk of being detained, beaten, disappeared, tortured, or killed. The use
of coercion to force detainees to sign deportation orders against their will,
to deport them to a country where they face a high risk of torture or death, is
unconscionable.
Several
of us have written separately to Acting Secretary Wolf urging the Department to
halt the deportation of Cameroonian asylum-seekers. We now urge you to
investigate these allegations of abuse. We look forward to your prompt response.
Sincerely,
###
