Menendez thrilled ICE releasing some detainees in response to COVID

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez lauded Immigration and Customs Enforcement for agreeing to consider releasing non-violent detainees and those predisposed to contracting COVID-19.

“I’m glad ICE will exercise its discretion during the COVID-19 pandemic and release immigrants who pose no public safety risk and are vulnerable to the virus,” Menendez said. “As I said in my letter to DHS and ICE calling on the release of non-violent and at-risk detainees, close quarters in detention facilities pose a danger to the health of detainees, detention center employees and the public at large. ICE can save lives and I hope they act quickly.”

ICE will conduct the reviews daily and will make decisions on a case-by-case basis, according to a letter the agency sent Menendez after he called on the organization to release some detainees.

The agency has already released at least 160 of the 600 vulnerable detainees it identified.