Welcome Immigrants Without Targeting and Detention
Detention Watch Network is a national membership organization that brings together advocates from diverse backgrounds to unify strategy, build partnerships and strengthen the movement to end immigration detention.
Many people are shocked to learn that the U.S. government systematically deprives the liberty of immigrants, refugees, and people seeking asylum, creating a system of immigration detention – the largest detention system in the world. Immigration detention is the unjust and inhumane practice of jailing immigrants while they await a determination of their immigration status or potential deportation.
Join us to support your immigrant family members, friends, coworkers and neighbors to end immigration detention and instead redirect taxpayer dollars into education, housing for all income levels, climate resilient infrastructure and health care that supports our collective well-being. We believe that all people should have the freedom to move and live with dignity in community, with family and loved ones.
- 70,766 Number of people in detention As of February 2, 2026
Latest Press and Resources
#CommunitiesNotCages Campaign
If you want to unite for the rights of immigrants, the Communities Not Cages Campaign is a great place to start. ICE’s detention centers are everywhere, which makes federal policy a local issue in communities nationwide. We can connect you with community organizing already happening in your area.
Join DWN Membership to End Detention
- Over 100DWN members working nationwide to abolish detention
- Over $100,000provided to grassroots members to support community organizing efforts
- 100+trainings, resources, and convenings provided to educate, build capacity, and connect across membership and the immigrant justice movement