Dexter Leads Democrats Demanding End to Trump’s Inhumanity at Guantanamo Bay
WASHINGTON, D.C — Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) led nearly 30 lawmakers in calling for an end to the Trump administration’s efforts to detain immigrants at Guantanamo Bay. In the letter, Dexter slams the administration for human rights abuses at the facility and demands immediate action to ensure the safety, dignity, and fundamental rights of our immigrant neighbors are preserved.
“Guantanamo Bay has no place in our immigration system. This facility is known for its unrelenting human rights abuses and its use to house immigrants is fundamentally wrong,” said Dexter. “I will not stand by while this administration targets and abuses our immigrant community for political gain. I will continue to lead Democrats in demanding not just transparency—but real action.”
Key demands in the letter include:
An immediate halt to transfers of immigrants to Guantanamo Bay.
A detailed report on past or prospective transfers to the facility.
Access to counsel for any past present, or prospective detainee.
A full accounting of government expenditures related to this detention program.
Read the entire letter here.
“IRAP implores the Trump administration to discontinue its use of Guantánamo altogether. The recent detention of immigrants apprehended in the United States and transferred there violate the law. Conditions at Guantánamo today – including the use of restraint chairs and effectively holding individuals incommunicado – are egregious, as they were in 2022 when IRAP represented a family there, and as they have been in every chapter of this facility’s notorious history. The questions raised in this Congressional letter are critical – as is the larger pursuit of oversight and accountability,” said Sharif Aly, President of the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)
“The indefinite detention of individuals, expedited removal proceedings, and the disappearance of immigrants to Guantanamo Bay are some of the many stories that have showcased how current policies are unlawfully denying individuals access to counsel and due process. In light of the stark violations of the federal government, Congress has the responsibility to uphold the Fourteenth Amendment, which prohibits the states from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, and take actions to protect the rule of law. We are grateful to Rep. Dexter's office for leading the charge in holding the administration accountable to our foundational values, our obligations, pushing for transparency, and ensuring that immigrants are treated with fairness and dignity,” said Nicole Melaku, Executive Director of National Partnership for New Americans.
The letter was signed by: Representatives Ansari, Bonamici, Chu, Cisneros, Clarke, Correa, Escobar, Evans, García (IL), Gomez, Hoyle, Johnson (GA), Khanna, Lee (PA), Lofgren, McGovern, McIver, Menendez, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pallone, Ramirez, Randall, Takano, Tlaib, Tokuda, Tran, and Velázquez.
The letter was endorsed by over 20 advocacy organization, including Human Rights First, International Refugee Assistance Project, National Partnership for New Americans, Public Counsel, Defending Rights & Dissent, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Immigration Equality, and Asylum Advocacy.
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