NCJ Number
185705
Journal
ABA Journal Volume: 86 Dated: November 2000 Pages: 44-51
Date Published
November 2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article examines holding deportable aliens in United States jails along with convicted criminals.
Abstract
In county jails, urban holding cells, and barbed wire-fenced detention yards across the United States, approximately 3,000 immigrants labeled deportable by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service sit waiting for months, or years. Some of these "detainees" do have criminal histories, but have already served their time. Yet all are treated the same as the criminals with whom they are housed. They are being held because the United States has nowhere to send them. Most are from countries with whom the United States has no official diplomatic relations and some are not citizens of any country. Some detainees don't know why they are being held. The Justice Department has concluded that some should be held on the basis of secret evidence that is not available even to the detainee's attorneys. The article describes efforts to change the situation, to put an end to indefinite detention, particularly with the use of secret evidence, which is a violation of due process.