Operation Streamline, a policy begun in 2005, mandates that nearly all undocumented immigrants crossing the Southern border in certain areas be prosecuted through the federal criminal justice system, a departure from previous practices when most immigration cases were handled exclusively within the civil immigration system.
Operation Streamline has exposed undocumented border-crossers crossing to unprecedented rates of incarceration; overburdened the federal criminal justice system; and added enormous costs to the American taxpayer while providing a boon to the for-profit private prison industry.
Communities across the country, including border communities, will be joining days of action from February 19th to February 21st to demand that comprehensive immigration reform ends, rather than expands, the criminalization of migration. Actions will include public protests, press conferences, op-eds (we'll provide talking points), and meeting with legislators.
Tucson, AZ - Tuesday, February 19th, 12:30pm MT. Press conference announcing End Streamline campaign at downtown Federal Building downtown. Contact: Caroline Isaacs - 520.623.9141, cisaacs@afsc.org; Sarah Launius (No More Deaths) - media@nomoredeaths.org. Facebook page, press release.
Brownsville, TX - Tuesday, February 19th, 2pm CT. Press conference in front of the Reynaldo G. Garza-Filemon B. Vela Federal Court House. Contact: Astrid Dominguez - RGVBorderRights@gmail.com. Press release.
Austin, TX - Wednesday, February 20th, 1pm CT – Press Conference and letter delivery to Texas Senators and Central Texas Congress members. Federal building at 300 E. 8th St. Contact – Bob Libal, (512) 971-0487. Press release.
National - Thursday, February 21st, 1pm ET. ACLU-led phone conference on Operation Streamline and southwest border enforcement. Speakers will also be briefing congressional staff on Operation Streamline during their visit to Washington, D.C. Press release.
Online - The National Private Prison Divestment Campaign will be organizing a petition to Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray and other members of the Congressional budget committees to shut down Operation Streamline by advocating for removal of funding for immigrant detention and incarceration in private prisons.
Reports on Operation Streamline