Philadelphia, PA – On the day Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Philadelphia for an announcement regarding her vice-presidential running mate, pro-immigrant activists took a stand by unveiling a banner over the Walnut Street Bridge in Center City. The banner read, “Biden, Harris Shut Down Moshannon, Elizabeth, Clinton, Pike,” calling on the administration to address and halt immigrant detention practices.
The Biden-Harris administration has faced increasing criticism from activists and community leaders for their approach to immigration, which, according to some, has resulted in an expansion of immigrant detention facilities and harsh policies implemented through executive orders in 2023 and 2024.
One of the focal points of this criticism is the Moshannon Detention Center in central Pennsylvania. The center opened during the Biden administration, increasing the number of beds dedicated to immigrant detention compared to the previous Trump administration. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has also maintained contracts with Pike and Clinton counties in Pennsylvania, utilizing portions of prison beds for immigrant detainees. Additionally, ICE has partnered with private prison companies in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Moshannon Valley, Pennsylvania, to detain immigrants.
Over the years, conditions in these detention centers have been a source of concern and controversy. Detainees and human rights groups have reported numerous instances of abusive conditions, inadequate medical care and violations of civil rights. Multiple legal and civil rights organizations have filed formal complaints, highlighting issues such as overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and lack of access to legal counsel.
The banner drop in Philadelphia is part of a broader campaign by pro-immigrant groups across the country, urging the federal government to reform its immigration policies and prioritize the rights and dignity of immigrants.
