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LETTER TO THE EDITOR from our AI member Sue Mattice, 9/14/09:
Many persons who enter the U.S. illegally do so under desperate circumstances. They include asylum seekers, torture survivors and victims of human trafficking. They, along with all non-citizens, are subject to mandatory detention without a hearing. They can then be moved to a facility far from their families, can be denied health care, and denied access to legal information and representation.
Many have limited or no access to a telephone, little privacy, and no explanation of their rights. Two-thirds of detainees are sent to criminal detention facilities and commingled with inmates there. The rest are sent to facilities run by immigration authorities and private contractors, where conditions can vary widely.
Amnesty International recommends a presumption against detention, judicial review of decisions to detain, and alternatives to detention, such as an affordable bond, electronic monitoring, or reporting to a supervisor. When implemented, the success rate has been 90%, and the cost about $12 per day, as opposed to $95 per day for detention. Also recommended are access to attorneys, medical care, and rights presentations for detainees.
Congressional Bill HR 1215 would require judicial review, secure alternatives to detention, and set standards for humane conditions. Transfer of detainees would be limited, those with specific vulnerabilities would be protected, and staff of facilities would be trained appropriately. Please urge your Congressperson to support this bill.
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