Jayapal Demands ICE Review Rodney Taylor’s Request for Release

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) is leading 20 Members of Congress in calling on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to look into the detention of Rodney Taylor, who has been detained at a for-profit detention facility in Lumpkin, Georgia.

“Mr. Taylor is a double amputee with only one functional hand who has been detained for over a year in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for-profit detention facility. He has experienced extreme hardship in detention and his health is continuing to deteriorate,” wrote the Members.

Since entering ICE detention, Mr. Taylor has experienced numerous issues with his prosthetic legs and has been refused medical care multiple times. The detention facility has failed to properly accommodate his disability, forcing him to crawl through unsafe conditions on his hands and amputation sites to shower and get his meals. He also suffers from bone spurs and high blood pressure, which could be life-threatening.

“We are deeply concerned about Mr. Taylor’s treatment in detention, including the denial of medical care and now the denial of accommodations to ensure he is fed. We urge you to immediately give full and fair consideration to his request to be released from detention and his contention that he is neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community,” continued the Members.

The full letter can be read here.

The letter was signed by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (GA-02), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Jes?s G. “Chuy” Garc?a (IL-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Lucy McBath (GA-06), James P. McGovern (MA-02),  Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).

Issues: Immigration