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Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Boston, MA – On Tuesday August 7th, 2007, Edmar Alves de Araujo, a 34 year-old immigrant was taken into custody after a traffic stop by the Woonsocket Police in Rhode Island. After less than an hour, he was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for an outstanding order of removal. Within hours, Edmar Alves de Araujo was rushed to the Rhode Island Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 4:18 pm. Family members stated that they tried to get medication to Edimar while he was in custody to no avail. The following is a statement by Eva Millona, Policy Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition:
"The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition mourns the needless and tragic death of Edmar Alves de Araujo. The death of this 34 year-old in custody should never have happened. Our prayers go out to his family.”
“In this instance, enforcement officials, our public servants, failed to serve and protect not only the individual, but also our own standards of decency, when they allowed Edmar to suffer and die a preventable death.”
“Edmar Alves de Araujo’s death while in ICE custody is shocking and outrageous. Unfortunately, this was not the first such death to occur under ICE custody. Edmar is the latest of 63 immigrants to die in administrative custody since 2004. This tragedy adds to the growing number of reports about abuses and mismanagement in ICE’s immigration detention system.”
“It wasn’t until the day after the death, that information became public about what happened. That the facts have been so slow in coming to light is indicative of the cloud of secrecy under which immigration enforcement operates today. Due process, fair treatment, and common human decency are often the first victims of unchecked arrests and imprisonment.”
“We demand a full and open investigation into the death of Edmar Alves de Araujo. This death should never have happened. The immigration laws and enforcement officials that allow tragedies like this to keep happening exemplify just how removed the system is from our ideals as both a nation of immigrants and a nation of justice under law.”
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MIRA works to advocate for the rights and opportunities of immigrants and refugees. In partnership with its members, MIRA advances this mission through education, training, leadership development, organizing, policy analysis and advocacy.