The following statement can be attributed to Amber Duke, ACLU-KY Executive Director:
“The ACLU of Kentucky strongly condemns Mayor Craig Greenberg's decision to reinstate 48-hour immigration detainers, which have not been enforced since Louisville Metro Council passed the 2017 ordinance. This move not only undermines the trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, but it will also further exacerbate the overcrowding and understaffing issues at Louisville Metro Department of Corrections that have led to more than 20 deaths in the past three years.
By choosing to comply in the face of the Trump Administration’s threats, Louisville has aligned itself with policies that have led to increased fear, mass deportations, and instability in cities across the country. Today’s decision will no doubt bolster the Trump Administration’s political attacks on Democratically led municipalities and will not prevent further federal interference into local matters.
We urge the city to reconsider this policy change and to reaffirm its commitment to protecting all residents, regardless of immigration status. Our city leaders must stop ignoring the deadly conditions at LMDC and take steps to avoid incarcerating more people or keeping them in the facility for extended periods of time.
The ACLU of Kentucky, the state’s largest Civil Rights organization, will continue to advocate for the rights of immigrant communities and to hold local officials accountable for actions that threaten civil liberties.”
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The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky is freedom's watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislature, and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms. For additional information, visit our website at: www.aclu-ky.org.
