Coronavirus: Having migrants locked up in detention centers is a health risk, says CHC

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Recently, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus held a conference call with reporters to highlight the danger of migrants catching COVID-19 in detention facilities.The CHC called on ICE to release migrants and asylum seekers, pointing out that most of those locked up are not criminals or a danger to society. Two members of Congress from Texas were on the conference call - Joaquin Castro of San Antonio and Sylvia Garcia of Houston.Asked if they had heard about claims that an outbreak of the coronavirus had occurred at the ICE Port Isabel Detention Center, in Port Isabel, Texas, and that some migrants may have gone on a hunger strike, Castro and Garcia said they had not. “Thanks for the heads up,” Garcia said. “We will look into this,” said Castro, who chairs the CHC.In the attached podcast, CHC members Castro, Rep. Linda Sanchez of California, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York give their views on releasing migrants and asylum seekers from ICE detention centers.Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.