Give me your tired, ...

Amnesty International reports that, to our shame, Rev. Joseph Dantica died in the custody of Immigration and Naturalization Services. The 81-year-old minister arrived LEGALLY in the United States after receiving death threats in Haiti. He asked for asylum and was put in detention, even though he has family here -some of whom are citizens. His medicine was confiscated and he became seriously ill. His family was denied access to him by Homeland Security, because of "security concerns". He died alone and handcuffed to a hospital bed, having been detained for 15 months.

The legal basis for holding asylum seekers in detention is either that they might vanish into the country, never to be seen again, or that they represent a danger to the community. Yet, Rev. Dantica was going to places he'd been before, when he'd visited here legally before. And he had no criminal record.

Amnesty International suggests that we write letters calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Rev. Dantica's death. You can learn more about the particulars of his case here: Amnesty International. You can take action by clicking here: Action Center.

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