DRC stands in solidarity with immigrant communities across the US and with all those calling for an end to recent violent and criminal actions of our federal agencies. The killings of Keith Porter Jr. in Los Angeles and Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis are the result of dangerous, racist, and xenophobic policies implemented by the federal government. These killings are tragedies in the senseless loss of life and in the spectacle of cruelty surrounding them.

Disabled people are overrepresented in police encounters and have higher rates of arrests, harm and death.  Black people and other people of color with disabilities are at even higher risk of being harmed by law enforcement. Although some have called for more training for law enforcement as a way to avoid unnecessary harm when police interact with disabled people, we believe a better approach is to invest in other interventions and programs that do not involve police. We support mobile crisis response teams staffed by professionals and peers that are dispatched to resolve crises and community focused groups that operate without violence or coercion. DRC is a tireless advocate for reducing the number of interactions between disabled people and agents of law enforcement.

This current state violence and terror is not just in the streets and out in public--DRC’s ongoing work investigating ICE Detention Facilities gives us grave concern for the violence and death occurring away from cameras, in ICE Detention across the country, as well. We know of 8 deaths in ICE custody already this year and over 30 in 2025, it is likely that there are many more than have been reported. 800 detainees are missing and not accounted for by ICE at “Alligator Alcatraz” alone. Currently we are seeing the rapid acquiring and building of warehouse space across the country by ICE and other agencies, including the 1,300 person Utah “mega camp” to incarcerate homeless people.

People with disabilities are disproportionally present in jails, prisons, and immigration detention facilities across the country. We call for an end to state-funded violence and death and real accountability for those who have directed and carried out all of this harm, both in public and behind locked gates.

DRC will continue to work together with people with disabilities and across immigrant communities to ensure that their rights are being protected. DRC will also continue to use its platform and resources to honor the lives that are lost because of state violence.

Media Contact

Sam Mickens
Director of Communications
(646) 945-0918
Sam.Mickens@disabilityrightsca.org

Disability Rights California (DRC) – Is the agency designated under federal law to protect and advocate for the rights of Californians with disabilities. The mission of DRC is to defend, advance, and strengthen the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.