Press Releases

Adelante Statement on Biden’s Election

November 7, 2020

“Now that the election is over, Biden needs to prove himself. During his Vice Presidency, millions of people were deported – that’s more than under Trump. We’ve seen administrations under both Republicans and Democrats make promises about overhauling the immigration system and in both circumstances we’ve seen those promises evaporate after election day.”

Medically Vulnerable Immigrants Seek Emergency Release from ICE Detention in Alabama

April 19, 2020

Late yesterday, Adelante Alabama Worker Center, the Center for Constitutional Rights, and the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIP-NLG) filed an emergency petition and temporary restraining order for the release of medically vulnerable people currently held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention. The filing seeks the release of 18 people being detained in Unit 9 of the Etowah County Detention Center in Gadsden, Alabama, and cites their severe risk of contracting the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and developing life-threatening symptoms. Other medically vulnerable immigrants have filed petitions for release in other states, with courts ordering releases from other ICE detention centers. The filings in each case warn that the near-certainty of coronavirus outbreaks in these facilities renders the continued detention of these individuals a potential death sentence for a civil immigration violation.

Jefferson County Sheriff Refuses to Release COVID-19 Plan, Advocates Respond with #FreeThemAll Campaign

April 15, 2020

Despite pressure from advocates, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, headed by Mark Pettway, refused to publicize its plans for protecting inmates in the two county jails from a COVID-19 outbreak. A letter was sent to the Sheriff last week, spearheaded by Adelante Alabama Worker Center and cosigned by thirteen other Birmingham organizations. It called on Sheriff Pettway to release everyone from Jefferson County Jails, starting with those most vulnerable to the novel COVID-19 virus because of age or pre-existing conditions.

Adelante Launches COVID-19 Fund for Local Workers Excluded from Government Relief

April 14, 2020

Today, Birmingham-based worker and immigrant rights organization Adelante Alabama Worker Center is launching the Colwal Fund for Excluded Workers. The fund will provide direct support in the form of a one-time $500 cash grant to eligible low-wage workers in the Birmingham area who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, yet excluded from Congress’ stimulus bill and state economic relief programs.

Immigrant Rights Advocates Celebrate Reinstated Visitation at Etowah Detention Center Following Public Pressure & Cease and Desist Letter

December 19, 2019

In response to a letter addressed to Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon Horton signed by 62 community organizations and a cease and desist letter issued by Freedom for Immigrants on behalf of the Etowah Visitation Project, visitation has resumed at the Etowah Detention Center.