Americans take pride in our history as a refuge for men, women, and children escaping war and torture. We also take pride in a justice system that guarantees us the right to a fair hearing. The current U.S. immigration enforcement and detention system betrays these ideals when it locks up immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers who are not dangers to our communities and denies them access to legal counsel and other basic human rights.
Our elected officials in Washington, D.C., must know that we expect more from our government. When U.S. law denies rights to one group of people, the rights of all are threatened.
NIJC Statements on Immigration Enforcement and Detention Reform
Prosecutorial Discretion Memos Provide Immigration Officers Guidance, Promote Family Unity, and Save Government Resources
First Anniversary of DHS's Detention Reforms: Progress at the National Level, Awaiting Implementation in the Field
Reports of Sexual Assault at Hutto Detention Center Latest Evidence of Need for Immediate Reform
New Report: Australian Immigration System Offers valuable Lessons for Humane Reform of U.S. Immigration Detention System
Memo to President Obama and Congress: Act Now to Increase Accountability, Oversight in Immigration System
Click here for links to additional detention resources from NGOs, Congress, and the Executive Branch
NIJC Reports and Media on Enforcement & Detention:
NIJC's Defending Human Rights & Due Process Policy Brief
NIJC's YouTube Channel: Immigrants talk about their experiences in detention
Issues of Focus:
U.S. Immigration Detention Standards