CALHOUN COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A lawsuit has been filed against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan (ACLU) meant to free certain ICE detainees.
Monday, the Battle Creek Enquirer reported that the lawsuit details 16 people that are either currently or previously detained that are more vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic than others.
According to the lawsuit, the Calhoun County Jail has the most ICE detainees of any such facility in Michigan (around 130), and detainees are not accommodated for social distancing. The lawsuit adds that the detainees are held in crowded quarters.
The ACLU is asking for six individuals to be considered for release, many of which have various health issues. The suit also asks that the remaining individuals be evaluated for a possible release.
ICE representatives told the Enquirer through email that there are currently no positive cases of COVID-19 in detainees at the Calhoun County Jail.
“We have policies and procedures to prohibit the spread of infectious diseases within our jail, and we have the ability to segregate folks if they need to be quarantined,” Calhoun County Sheriff Matt Saxton said in a statement last month. “We are doing our best to make sure that any infectious disease does not spread or come into our facility. This is a fluid situation and we’re changing things as we go.”
Since Saxton’s statement, jail officials have noted that there have been two cases of probable infection in both an inmate and a worker. Officials say the corrections deputy does not have responsibilities that involved direct contact with inmates and is self-isolating at home, while the inmate has been isolated.
According to a statement issued by county officials, there is no connection between these two cases.
The Enquirer also reported that Judge Judith Levy has ordered that a response to the lawsuit be filed by Tuesday, April 28.
This is an ongoing matter and will be updated as more information becomes available.
