San Diego immigration activists demanded the release of migrants detained by ICE

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Demonstrators gathered at Waterfront Park outside the San Diego County administration building to show their support for immigrants rights.

On Saturday protestors were joined by activist groups speaking as part of a statewide day of action to demand the release of migrants detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Many of them calling for ICE detainees to be released, especially due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19.

The group also called on leaders to stop transferring prisoners to ICE detention facilities amid the pandemic.

Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego was the site of the first big outbreak at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s 221 detention centers.

The origins of the outbreak are uncertain, but in interviews with The Associated Press, workers and detainees reveal shortcomings in how the private company that manages the center handled the disease: There was an early absence of facial coverings, and a lack of cleaning supplies.

Symptomatic detainees were mixed with others. Some workers at the center quit; the Mexican consul general, responding to complaints from detainees, raised concerns about how the facility handled the outbreak.