Individuals residing in New Mexico deserve basic civil and human rights, basic rights that even the US government acknowledges are denied to those in ICE detention. Past efforts to reform immigration detention failed, and DHS recognizes this fact. Given the inability to resolve repeated failure through reform; the presence of particularly problematic facilities in New Mexico; the failure of detention centers to serve as stimulators of rural hosting communities; reliance on exploitative captive labor; frequency of uninvestigated sexual assaults and harassment; severe barriers to justice; and the existence of cheaper, more humane, viable alternatives to detention; it is time to end immigration detention. Considering that New Mexico is one of the top states for hosting immigration detention it is imperative that New Mexico begin the process of phasing out its participation in an expensive, unnecessary, and inhumane system. HB624 the Rubio-Maestas Immigration Detention Facilities Act seeks to prevent expansion of New Mexico’s participation in immigration detention and until detention centers are closed, implements immediate independent oversite of existing facilities.
- Immigration detention is not punishment for a crime - Often times people are confused about immigration detention believing it to be time served for a criminal act. However, that is not correct. Immigration detention is administrative confinement whereby individuals are held for the purpose of insuring that they attend … Continue reading
- Immigration detention is a massive barrier to justice - Since immigration litigation is a civil matter, many of the constitutional protections that extend to criminal proceedings do not apply to those held in immigration detention. Most of us are accustomed to the idea that people are innocent until proven … Continue reading
- The US government says immigration detention is cruel and inhumane - In 2015, the US Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR), the nations watchdog for civil rights issues, reviewed the conditions in ICE and ICE contractor immigration detention facilities. The report is clear that immigration detention is punitive, abusive, and should end.
- During the past two years, 22 migrants died in ICE custody - In a new analysis of dozens of government reports, death reviews and audits of ICE detention centers NBC reports that during the past two years 22 migrants died in ICE custody. One of those deaths, Roxana Hernandez, occurred in New Mexico. Continue reading
- Immigration detention facilities in New Mexico are particularly problematic - The United State Commission on Civil Rights determined that ICE and ICE contractor immigration detention facilities are punitive and abusive. New Mexico is host to two ICE immigration detention centers both of which are managed by large private prison corporations: … Continue reading
- New Mexico won’t look the other way on border issues - On December 27, 2018 the Santa Fe New Mexican ran an editorial that directly addressed the immediate and dire need for immigration detention oversight while highlighting the importance of closing ICE detention centers in the state.
- Sexual abuse and harassment are chronic issues at ICE immigration detention facilities - DHS and ICE documents indicate that inside immigration detention facilities, sexual assault and abuse are chronic issues that largely go uninvestigated.
- ICE inspections of detention centers don’t improve facility conditions - ICE detention centers are annually inspected either by ICE or private firms they contract. Yet DHS Office of Inspector General recently concluded that ICE inspections were ineffective. There is no independent monitoring of ICE facilities and annual inspections are announced … Continue reading
- Incarceration facilities don’t make for sound rural development - The belief that placing incarceration facilities in rural areas stimulates local rural economies is a myth that was developed and perpetuated during the prison boom of the 1980s-1990s. Quantitative and demographic studies show that prison hosting, and by extension immigration … Continue reading
- ICE permits and encourages unfair labor practices at immigration detention centers in New Mexico - Individuals held in immigration detention typically do not have work authorization. However, ICE detention standard 5.8 defines a “Voluntary Work Program” whereby detained individuals can earn a minimum of $1 per eight our work day. On 21 December 2017 “a … Continue reading