Human Rights Violations in the U.S. Immigration Detention System

The Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained nearly 400,000 people last year, more than double how many people were in its custody four years ago. The growth is largely due to increased collaboration between federal immigration agents and state and local law enforcement officials, including programs such as Secure Communities.People in immigration detention face numerous obstacles to defending their due process and human rights, including inadequate access to lawyers and medical care.

Through its policy and advocacy work, Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center works to significantly reduce the use of detention and to put an end to arbitrary detention of immigrants in the United States. NIJC also advocates for reforms that improve the conditions for those who are detained. As a co-chair of the Department of Homeland Security-Non-Governmental Organization Enforcement Working Group, NIJC educates members of Congress on the need for detention reform and viable alternatives. NIJC’s expert research and reports inform policy makers and the public on failures of justice in the detention system and recommends effective solutions.

Click here for an archive of NIJC's detention reform policy work

NIJC Detention Reform Priorities
 

 
 Stop Sexual Abuse of Detained Immigrants
 

 End Arbitrary Detention
 

 Fix Inhumane Detention Conditions

 Stop Abuse of Detained LGBT Immigrants