Rhode Island Senate Judiciary considers bill to ban ICE detention agreements

The Senate Committee on Judiciary convened on April 3, 2025, to discuss significant legislation aimed at reforming immigration detention practices in Rhode Island. The meeting featured passionate testimonies from various advocates and community members who expressed strong opposition to the state's involvement in immigration detention through agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The session began with a call for reforms to address the detrimental impact of immigrant detention on families and communities. One speaker highlighted the inhumane conditions within detention centers, emphasizing that these facilities prioritize profit over the rights and dignity of detainees. The proposed legislation seeks to prevent Rhode Island from becoming a site for what was described as "factories of neglect and abuse," urging the committee to take a stand against such practices.

Sarah Griffith, a witness sharing her personal story, recounted her father's experience as an undocumented immigrant fleeing violence in Brazil. She expressed concern that, under current policies, her father would face detention and medical neglect, underscoring the urgent need for due process and humane treatment for all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.

Yasmina De Leon Gill, a former staff member of AMOR, echoed these sentiments, calling for the prohibition of Intergovernmental Service Agreements (IGSAs) that allow ICE to utilize state resources for detention. She pointed to the Wyatt Detention Facility's history of medical neglect and poor conditions, citing a hunger strike by detainees during the COVID-19 pandemic as a stark example of the facility's failures.

Another speaker, Orly LaFantante, shared her family's immigration journey and highlighted the contributions of undocumented immigrants to the economy. She criticized the financial incentives that drive local governments to detain immigrants, arguing that this system leads to abuse and a lack of accountability.

The testimonies collectively painted a picture of a broken immigration system that inflicts harm on vulnerable populations. The committee concluded the testimony segment, with advocates urging swift action on the proposed legislation to ensure Rhode Island does not support exploitative detention practices.

As the meeting wrapped up, the committee members were left to consider the implications of the testimonies and the proposed reforms, with a clear call for action resonating throughout the discussions. The next steps will involve deliberations on the legislation aimed at safeguarding the rights and dignity of immigrants in Rhode Island.