1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

The detention of these six former Bhutanese refugees who have legal permanent resident status is deeply concerning. These individuals have gone through extensive vetting and resettlement processes to obtain legal residency in the United States, fleeing persecution and violence in their home countries. While some may have prior criminal records, predominantly for nonviolent offenses, they have served their sentences and should be afforded due process through the judicial system, not subjected to sudden detentions by immigration authorities. The Bhutanese community in Harrisburg has made immense contributions to the local economy and social fabric, overcoming past trauma to build new lives. Upending their lives through these detentions only breeds fear and distrust within this community of legal residents. We must ensure that the rights and legal status of these individuals are respected and that they are swiftly released and allowed to return home to their families. Aggressive immigration enforcement actions against legal permanent residents are unacceptable and undermine our nation's values of providing safe haven to those fleeing persecution.