What You Need to Know about US Immigration Detention Policy

What You Need to Know about US Immigration Detention Policy

Currently, different countries around the world are suffering from the aftereffects of war, famine, and unfair distribution of resources. These factors have resulted in extremely poor living conditions for the people residing in different cities of these countries. Therefore, left with no other choice, these people make great efforts to migrate to other countries in hopes of creating a better life for themselves and their families.

Sounds fair enough, right?

Unfortunately, most developed nations of the world aren’t too welcoming to immigrants. They treat them as second-class citizens, refuse to give them their rights, and can even turn them away from jobs. Things get even worse if you decide to overstay on your visit or don’t have the required documentation for living in the host country.

No matter what beliefs anybody holds on immigration, we can all agree that lack of proper documentation doesn’t strip people of their humanity. They still deserve to be treated with respect and consideration. They should pledge that that will appear that would appear in every court hearing and if they do not then proper action should be taken against. However, it also very important to explain them all the rules and requirements. Remember, they are new in the country, and are in the constant state of fear of getting deported.  They will appreciate any help anyone can offer them. For instance, information about immigration bonds requirements, immigration bond eligibility, the location for an immigration bond company and so much more. Honestly, any information would help.

Unfortunately, the US immigration detention policy doesn’t do much to offer immigrants justice or support. Here is everything you should know about the policy and how it is applied across America.

What is Immigration Detention?

Immigration detention is the unjust practice of imprisoning immigrants during the time they await an official determination of their immigrant status. In most countries, it is legal to incarcerate non-citizens (or undocumented immigrants) on grounds relating to their migration situation. The average immigration jail time is 34 days.

It should be noted that these immigrants aren’t charged with any criminal activity or illegal action. The only reason they are held in detention centers is that they don’t have documentation or legal citizenship to be in the host country. Daily life in immigration jail is definitely not easy. Sexual abuse, excessive use of force and medical neglect are just something out of a long list that inhabitants have to face.

This deprivation of liberty in detention centers is often followed by cases of severe abuse, physical assault, and even forced labor. They are human rights violations, being financed by the American tax dollars as immigrants either await an update on their immigration status or are faced with deportation.

Who Is Detained?

Immigration detention occurs for different reasons. In the US, immigrants can be detained with the migration authorities, not to be confused with criminal authorities like the police, first come in contact with a person and are unable to validate their migration status. This usually occurs at border points but can also happen during a raid or if the authorities come across an undocumented immigrant within a community.

The US government has a policy stating that these immigrants should be detained in a detention center during the time taken to verify their identity and establish their claims to remain in the country.

There are over 200 detention centers in state and local jails across the United States, and they hold more than 50,000 immigrants awaiting their fate. Like any other jail, there are men and women are separated in immigration jail. However, pregnant women are not deported and neither are they detained in immigration jail.

How Long Is the Immigration Hold In Jail?

The US immigration detention policy requires the immigrant to be detailed for the entire time taken to process their migration status and application. Immigration jail arrests include detaining a person during expedited processes for deportation and may even extend for the entire time taken to prove substantial claims of their stay in the host country, like refugee protection.

Agencies that Carry Out Immigration Detention

The agencies that carry out immigration detention centers include several offices of the US Department of Homeland Security, including:

  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
  • Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)

Learn About ICE Detention

ICE detains immigrants who have been suspected of civil immigration violations. People sent here are usually held for longer periods of time while complicated refugee statuses are verified. There are 131 ICE detention facilities spread across the US, and this program also has separate Family Residential Standards developed to hold immigrant families.

Conditions in ICE detention centers have been a common source of concern due to numerous reports of deficiencies, abuse, and an absence of COVID-19 SOPs. No doubt, immigration hold in jail is definitely not a pleasant experience.

Learn About CBP Detention

CBP holds detainees for shorter periods of time while their immigration status is confirmed or they are confirmed for deportation. Most of these immigrants are apprehended on the border itself and deemed inadmissible for entry. There are some clear rules about adult immigrants but what about the children. Under American law, unaccompanied and accompanied minors are to be provided with proper facilities like, food, water and medical services. Apparently, immigration children’s jails are like a place for them to stay before any decisions are made. However, most of the time children face many difficulties in those facilities

Unfortunately, CBP facilities are overcrowded, with uncomfortable temperatures, inadequate food and medical facilities, and no proper sanitation.

Learn About ORR Custody

Any unaccompanied children found by border patrol are transferred from CBP facilities to ORR custody within 72 hours. ORR currently has 170 programs across the US, offering shelter, foster care, and therapeutic facilities to alien children.

Are Conditions in Immigration Centers Monitored?

Unfortunately, the conditions in immigration centers aren’t monitored as closely as they should be. In fact, most detention centers are characterized by minimal independent oversight and are known as the opaquest facilities for the public.

This creates room for horrible instances of human rights violations within these centers. The physical and psychological impact of spending even the most limited amount of time spent in these jails causes life-long trauma for immigrants.

Women and children are especially vulnerable to abuse and violent outbreaks in detention centers. Numerous studies have proven the devastating physical and mental health conditions of people as they leave a detention center to be deported or (sometimes) allowed to seek refuge within the host country.

Get a Way Out With ITT

ITT understands the challenges and hardships that undocumented immigrants face when they settle in a new country. They live in constant fear of being caught, struggle to find jobs, and might even be forced to leave behind the better life they spent years building. It is a truly heart-wrenching experience, and ITT is dedicated to helping you get a way out of this mess.

When you obtain your travel visa, be sure to secure a receipt from ITT, which qualifies you for numerous benefits like immigration attorneys to help you fight any injustices you may face in the host country. For a fee of $75 a month, you can become a part of ITT’s immigration program. Our program consists of expert and highly empathetic immigration professionals who take over deportation cases and offer you the support you need to continue living a better life.