AP
By Juan Lozano
June 24, 2015
Federal officials
plan to end the long-term detention of hundreds of migrant families who
are being held mainly at two large facilities in Texas, Homeland
Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced Wednesday.
Johnson said he has
approved a plan that would offer appropriate and reasonable bond
amounts for families at the centers who can present a credible case that
they fear persecution in their home countries.
"I have reached the
conclusion that we must make substantial changes in our detention
practices with respect to families with children," Johnson said in a
statement. "In short, once a family has established
eligibility for asylum or other relief under our laws, long-term
detention is an inefficient use of our resources and should be
discontinued."
It was not
immediately known how quickly the new plan would be put in place. The
Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to an email
seeking clarification.
After tens of
thousands of migrant families, most from Central America, crossed the
Rio Grande into Texas last summer, the government poured millions of
dollars into two large detention centers meant to hold
women and children. The centers are in Karnes City and Dilley, both
located south of San Antonio. A third facility is located in Berks
County, Pennsylvania.
At the end of last month, there were 1,834 individuals being held at the three facilities, according to immigration officials.
Johnson said the
detention of families "will be short-term in most cases" but still allow
enough time for officials to confirm addresses and sponsor information
and educate families about their responsibilities,
including attending future immigration court hearings.
But Johnson
advocated for the continued use of family residential centers, saying
the facilities "will allow for prompt removal of individuals who have
not stated a claim for relief under our laws."
Immigration
attorneys and advocates said they were disappointed the federal
government still believes the detention of immigrant families is
necessary and expressed doubt that the announced changes would
result in the release of many families.
"In general,
anything that shows a breath of sanity in this process, that understands
that detention is not something that is necessary and should not be
long-term, is welcomed. But I'm extremely disappointed
the secretary just doesn't seem to get that family detention is wrong
and is not necessary," said Laura Lichter, a Denver immigration attorney
who has represented families held at the centers in Karnes City and
Dilley.
For more information, go to: www.beverlyhillsimmigrationlaw.com
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