Protesters: End Relations with Hudson Valley Correctional Center

By JORDAN RAMOS

On Thursday, a rally was held by the Detention Watch Network, FIRM Action, Mijente, United We Dream, and the We Are Home Campaign. They were at Foley Square, in Manhattan. The rally was held to get U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to end its contract with Hudson Valley Correctional Center. The Hudson Valley center holds undocumented immigrants. The rally hoped to give a voice to eliminate, not just the Hudson Valley center, but all such facilities in the country.

The rally criticized the current federal and state governments, demanding that facilities run by ICE be shut down.

“This rally today is really about pushing the Biden administration, and New York City officials to really understand what people are going through in these immigration jails and to demand people are released,” said organizer Samah Sisay. “Specifically, we’re here representing the 41 men who are currently held in Hudson County Jail by ICE.”

Samah explained that Hudson County ended its contracts with ICE but men are still being held there until transfer to other facilities.

Another speaker, Carol Larancuent, said, “My comment is that New York City loves to claim to be a (place) of respect and a city that is a sanctuary . . . I want the people who are in power to do what is right and end ICE detention.”