House Committee Takes Up Bills That Would Indefinitely Detain Immigrants and Eliminate Diversity Vis

[Derechos]

In the absence of a federal immigration overhaul, state lawmakers have attempted—many in vain—to address immigration at the state-level. Equally misguided, however, are recent efforts by immigration restrictionist to move anti-immigrant legislation on the federal level. Today, the House Judiciary Committee marked up and passed through committee a bill (and will take up another tomorrow morning) which promises a safer America yet will likely deliver a more costly and dangerous one.

Today, the Judiciary Committee approved the “Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2011” (H.R. 1932), which proposes indefinite—that is, potentially life-long— detention of immigrants who pose no threat to public safety. These persons include lawful permanent residents who have already served their sentence and have been productive members of society for many years, refugees, and persons seeking asylum in the U.S. Introduced by Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX), this bill would likely force the government to spend resources on immigrants who are not a danger to the public and take resources away from detaining those who are.

Furthermore, H.R. 1932 would also cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars to enforce and is completely out of line with the stated priorities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to focus their limited resources on the detention of serious criminals.

http://immigrationimpact.com/2011/07/14/house-committee-takes-up-bills-that-would-indefinitely-detain-immigrants-and-eliminate-diversity-visas/

[Derechos]

1. Many individuals facing deportation often remain in detention

(including asylum seekers with denied petitions) due to the fact that the US cannot repatriate them without violating the Convention against Torture, ie., they will likely be killed or tortured if they are returned to their countries of origin and the US government cannot find a safer third-country option. As a result, many remain in detention, some even for years, even though the Supreme Court has stated that the government cannot turn an administrative process into one of indefinite detention without Congressional action. Congress has already acted for those convicted of terrorism. I guess this bill seeks to "correct" this problem which would leave potentially thousands of individuals to languish in US detention facilities for years or perhaps the rest of their lives.

[atreides1]

2. Good to know

Maybe the next bill will require all immigrants to register their property!:sarcasm:

[EFerrari]

3. The Keep Our Communities Safe Act has the wrong priorities

By Vincent Cochetel, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - 07/14/11 12:25 PM ET

In 2001, Sara*, a young Sri Lankan woman fled her home after being captured and tortured by members of the military. While attempting to reunite with family in Canada, she passed through a United States border checkpoint. After telling authorities of the horrors and persecution she was fleeing, she was then taken into immigration custody under a law that requires the detention of asylum seekers who arrive at U.S. borders and prohibits immigration judges from ordering release. Sara spent more than four years in an immigration detention center fighting to prove her asylum claim. She won and was eventually released.

Sara’s story is not unique. Under existing law, each year thousands of asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons who have sought safe haven in the United States are detained. Seeking protection is not a crime, nor should it be penalized. Like Sara, circumstances beyond their control prevent their return home. Their situation calls for protection, not punishment and shelter, not imprisonment.

The situation that they face could get worse. The House of Representatives is currently considering H.R. 1932, the Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2011, though the bill purports to promote public safety, it actually casts a much wider net, and asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons are among those caught in it. The bill would cut off vital due process and unfetter the government’s authority to hold these individuals and others, many of whom pose no flight risk or danger, in jails, prisons, and immigration detention centers, for months, years or even for life. The bill offers no meaningful way of challenging their detention before a judge and restricts the use of cost-effective and humane alternatives to detention.

The United States has other options. Global research conducted by leading stakeholders in the field, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), point to alternatives to detention that are less costly and uphold the United States’ commitment to human rights. The surveys prove that alternative models, such as release on bond or to community-based support programs, would save the United States thousands of dollars per person. Rather than increasing the time and number of asylum seekers in detention, the United States should take the lead in expanding the use of innovative and cost effective policies.

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/foreign-policy/171503-the-keep-our-communities-safe-act-has-the-wrong-priorities#.TiBrP6WcawI.twitter

[sinkingfeeling]

4. I just love how busy, busy the House is. Passing all kinds of GOP wet dream bills to see them die in

the Senate.