Contra Costa Health Services learned through media reports on Friday that the former Concord Naval Weapons Station may soon be used as a detention facility for as many as 47,000 undocumented immigrants.
As principle guardian of public health in Contra Costa County, charged with protecting all people who live here, Contra Costa Health Services condemns this dangerous, immoral proposal –not just the location of this facility, but its existence.
Whether the despicable practice of caging young children separately from their parents continues or family members are imprisoned together, there is no place in Contra Costa or any civilized society for these types of facilities.
We know as health professionals the irrevocable harm caused by family separation, a trauma that leads to higher incidence of addiction, mental illness and chronic disease among survivors. The consequences to the health of prisoners, particularly children, are not hard to predict.
The health impacts of institutional violence against immigrants also extend to residents of our county. As Health Services Director, I hear from patients and employees every day who are under duress because of recent immigration practices.
Many Contra Costa residents live in fear, documented and otherwise. Patients miss appointments because they’re afraid ICE will be waiting for them in the doctor’s office.
This climate of fear adversely affects our community’s health, and would only worsen with this detention facility pitched in the center of our county.
For the health of all Contra Costans we demand that a detention camp not be located in our county.
Furthermore, we call for an immediate end to the practice of imprisoning undocumented immigrants, particularly children.
Sincerely,
Anna M. Roth RN, MS, MPH
Director | Contra Costa Health Services
20 comments
Thank you, Anna, again for looking out for the well-being of all. We support you.
I’m sorry about these children just like everybody else is but these parents came here from a great distance away they said they faced and then snuck into the United States and now the taxpayers are flipping the bill we aren’t even taking care of our own people and they’re going to receive even afford to give my family this is outrageous they need to be taken back to the Border made the cross back into Mexico is Mexico’s problem not the United States
Amen! Health Services shouldn’t be getting involved in politics. Their job is to provide health care – not opine on the actions of the federal government with respect to immigration. If the illegals come here, than take care of them. Stand down health services and focus your energy on what’s important — providing excellent health care today for the residents of Contra Costa county.
I grieve for this country and the ugly rracist hatred that is halpening here. Next it will be the homeless then the mentally ill,etc. I knew this was the plan the minute he took office and riled up,all the hateful,people but we will not stand for this. The sane people will stop it by impeaching him as soon as we take back,control of the government. I just pray it won’t be too
Late for these people .
That’s what they are trying to do, protect the health of the residents of our county. Do you realize how many sick people are in those facilities? How quickly epidemics could occur? Our local hospitals/ER’s are already swamped with people to tale care of. Just imagine if there was some type of epidemic…
When are the American people going to wake the hell up rights for these people that’s a constitution for people that came here legally not one just snuck in under the fence we have enough problems right here in Contra Costa County Mexico problem take them back to the Border have them cross their illegal aliens coming into this country it shouldn’t be the burden of the taxpayer we’re already paying enough send them home how ridiculous is this this is what we get for our government officials protecting the rights of legal American they all ought to be put in a cage and then sent back to Mexico maybe some of the politicians to they need to do their damn job instead of complaining about whether or not we’re taking care of somebody else’s problem
Anna, Brilliantly written ! As a former resident of Concord and daughter of immagrant, these detention camps are not representive of Americans. They serve only white supremacy ideology!
Anita, go back to where you came from. If you were a legal immigrant you wouldn’t flap your jaw at people who cut in front of others and violate our laws.
Learn your facts, you evil, unsympathetic, racist apologist.
Thank you for your love and respect of mankind.
I grieve for this country and the ugly rracist hatred that is halpening here. Next it will be the homeless then the mentally ill,etc. I knew this was the plan the minute he took office and riled up,all the hateful,people but we will not stand for this. The sane people will stop it by impeaching him as soon as we take back,control of the government. I just pray it won’t be too
Late for these people .
I am so over my tax dollars going toward accommodations for those that are breaking our laws. I can’t even find a home yet they are finding adequate housing for illegals and their children. Why not do away with foster care altogether for the children whose parents commit crimes and are remanded to jail/prison. Let’s build jailhouses to accommodate them and their children and just house single inmates in single cell prisons. In America, committing a crime may result in one losing custody of ones children..why should we change those guidelines for people breaking the law to get here?
What do you propose our government do in regard to this situation??
Not a word about children being separated from their parents, stop spreading fear and untruths, stick to health service and stay the hell out of politics using your title, if you want to rant like a moron in a capacity not using your county position, and title, feel free, just don’t try to spread vicious untruths using your position with the county, you are not a good county representative, you realize that, I’m sure, you just don’t care.
Thank you, CCHS, for looking out for the health of all Contra Costa residents, regardless of Federal policy towards them.
They’re not residents. They’re trespassers. That’s illegal where we all come from.
sounds like you just described the entire bay area… they should all be relocated for heath reasons.. the bay area is a cesspool of waste..
Pretty soon the taxpayers will have no money to help the homeless and illegals. What then my socialist idiots?
The comments here are reflective of many law abiding tax paying legal citizens. For the left hypocrites, the not in my back yard shows racist lies and true colors. If we continue on this path of voting the same corrupt politicians, we will collapse. Think about that when you vote.
Yes, and calling people idiots is a very good way to get them to see your side of things.
Thank you so much. I am a customer of CC Health and I have been so impressed with the care I have received. This just makes me even more proud.
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