Just wanted to flag a MFIA victory – journalist Jacqueline Stevens, who writes for the Nation, will be given a tour of the Varick Detention Center in NYC next week (ICE had denied her previous requests for access). Approval came a day after the ACLU and the New York Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to ICE on behalf of the Nation, the Nation Institute, and Ms. Stevens, requesting that Ms. Stevens be granted access to the center in accordance with ICE’s own regulations and First Amendment access principles. We here at the MFIA practicum helped gather the information and write the letter, so we’re all very excited about the recent developments.
This is an important step in better understanding what goes on in detention centers around the country. Check out more details here on Ms. Stevens’ blog.