Crete Residents Ask ICE "Are you afraid of democracy?"

Cancellation of public hearing regarding proposed Crete Detention Center deprives local residents opportunity to get answers, voice their opposition

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) joins Crete residents in expressing their disappointment at the cancellation of the public hearing that had been scheduled to take place tomorrow at the Crete Sixth Grade Center. Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. had scheduled the hearing to provide an opportunity for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to hear the concerns of Crete residents regarding the detention center that would be built by ICE and the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA).  CCA is currently under FBI investigation for prisoner abuse and has overseen the death of 24 immigrant detainees in their custody nationwide.

Residents were prepared to ask about the lower property values, public safety concerns, and resource drain commonly caused by new prison construction. Local sheriffs and law enforcement were also going to be on hand to ask about the 185+ job losses resulting from the ICE jail closings in McHenry, Jefferson, and Tri-County if a new Center were built.

The residents of Crete have never had the opportunity to question ICE, Crete Mayor Einhorn or Village Trustees regarding the proposed detention center, and discussions of the center have lacked transparency and accountability.    ICIRR joins Crete residents in asking the Congressman to reschedule the postponed hearing as soon as possible, and ensure that ICE operate in a transparent and democratic fashion regarding the detention center. 
                 
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is a statewide coalition of more than 130 organizations dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social, and political life of our diverse society. For more information, visit www.icirr.org.