SACRAMENTO – “I have serious concerns about the federal government’s consideration of a massive immigrant detention camp at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station.

“I question whether any detention center would be an appropriate use for this site, which has been long planned for civilian use.

“Beyond that, however, is the question of whether we even need to build centers of this kind to house immigrants detained at the border, many of whom are families fleeing dangerous and brutal conditions at home and seeking asylum in this country.

“Experience shows that far more humane alternatives to detention are available at a fraction of what it would cost to build and operate detention camps.

“The Family Case Management Program, which the current administration recently terminated, was able to place immigrants in safe and affordable housing for a cost of just $36 per day per family. This program reportedly had compliance rates of 99 percent for requirements such as court hearings and immigration appointments.

“In cases where authorities consider an immigrant to be a flight risk, the use of GPS ankle bracelets has also proven to be effective, with nearly every person tracked in this way appearing for court hearings on schedule.

“Immigrants are not criminals and should not be treated as such.

“I urge the Trump Administration to reconsider its current policies and implement a humane and compassionate system for processing immigration cases and settling immigrants while their cases are being decided.”

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