FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Christina’s case shows lack of ability from ICE to meet needs of trans women in detention, despite new guidelines

(September 17, 2015) – Today as part of the Not1More Deportation campaign, Familia QTLM, GetEQUAL, and Transgender Law Center called for the release of Christina Lopez, an undocumented trans woman currently held at Santa Ana Detention Center.  Christina urgently needs medical attention for Hepatitis C, which so far the detention center has refused to provide despite several requests. Her experiences while detained show the failure of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to meet the needs of trans women in detention.

Christina Lopez is a 35 year old transgender immigrant who has been in immigration detention for a year and a half.  Christina left Peru following her parents, who had traveled to the U.S. to find better economic opportunities. In addition to wanting to be with her family, immigrating was a matter of life and death for Christina, who wanted to escape harsh violence against transgender people in Peru.

“In spite of the guidance issued in June by the Department of Homeland Security, Christina and other trans women continue to face abuse, harassment, and dangerous living conditions,” said Jennicet Gutiérrez, a founding member of Familia QTLM who disrupted President Obama during a Pride Reception last June advocating for undocumented transgender women in detention.

Gutiérrez added, “the inhumanity of ICE will not be alleviated by new guidelines or initiatives — they can only be addressed through the end of the detention and deportation system.”

The petition calling on ICE to release Christina is here: http://bit.ly/FreeChristina

Follow the hashtags #FreeChristina or #Not1More on Twitter for updates related to her case.

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NotOneMoreDeportation.com is a campaign made of individuals, organizations, artists, and allies to expose, confront, and overcome unjust immigration laws.