CITYWIDE — IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTERS MUST ENSURE THE WELL-BEING OF THOSE IN THEIR CUSTODY, says the Legal Aid Society, which issued its statement ahead of an extreme heat wave that will impact New York City this weekend.
Temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 90s and perhaps 100 degrees. The statement also addressed issues with HVAC systems at the ICE facilities.
“With sweltering heat right around the corner, immigrant detention centers throughout the New York City region must ensure that people in custody have adequate air conditioning, unfettered access to water, and other means of cooling themselves. In previous years, many of these facilities have experienced issues with their cooling systems, leading to unsafe and unbearable conditions for those detained. We are currently hearing of overcrowded facilities and a lack of sufficient food. Overheating will make already poor conditions even more dangerous.
“Both the counties that contract with the federal government and the federal government itself have legal and moral obligations to ensure the safety of people in their care. They must immediately take all necessary measures to mitigate the extreme heat expected to arrive in the area come Sunday.”
Humidity is expected to push the feels-like temperature even higher, adding to the danger and sparking fears for Election Day.
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