immigration detention

Man sits behind large stack of papers, brown envelopes

When the government wrongly deports people, coming back to the US is almost impossible

It took 16 years for Herberth Cortez Gaitan to have his asylum case heard, 9 more for him to be deported — and 2 years for him to return to the US after a federal court found that immigration judges had made a mistake.

When the government wrongly deports people, coming back to the US is almost impossible
Woman at podium wipes away tears, while man stands next to her

Former detainees tell New Mexico legislators about abuses in immigration detention as county seeks to renew contracts

Former detainees tell New Mexico legislators about abuses in immigration detention as county seeks to renew contracts
People stand on side of road in front of trees holding signs; one reads "Shut Down Berks"

Despite losing its state child care license — and years of claims of abuses — an immigrant family detention center in Pennsylvania made room for more families

Despite losing its state child care license — and years of claims of abuses — an immigrant family detention center in Pennsylvania made room for more families
Sign in front of center

Why the Trump administration is asking the courts to remove safeguards for detaining migrant children

Why the Trump administration is asking the courts to remove safeguards for detaining migrant children
A mother is seen holding her child.

Trump’s new order on families at the border raises even more questions about what happens next for child migrants

Trump’s new order on families at the border raises even more questions about what happens next for child migrants
sepia toned image of young boy, with some damage to photo around edges

For a child migrant, days feel like a lifetime when you’re imprisoned and alone

Beth Lew-Williams’ grandfather was 9 when he was separated from family and placed in immigration detention. And he held the pain of the experience for 72 years.

For a child migrant, days feel like a lifetime when you’re imprisoned and alone
Woman and man with baby in front of table decorated for child's birthday

After deportation, a family from Wisconsin will start anew in Cambodia

The number of deportations to Cambodia — and the speed at which they’re processed — is on the rise. Sothy Kum is among them.

After deportation, a family from Wisconsin will start anew in Cambodia
Group, including priest, lined up on street with immigration signs

A prominent immigrant advocate has been detained by immigration agents in New York City

Ravi Ragbir, director of the New Sanctuary Coalition, was taken into custody during a check-in with the federal government.

A prominent immigrant advocate has been detained by immigration agents in New York City
View of white building with columns from behind blue, still water fountain

The Supreme Court is considering whether immigrants detained for more than six months should have a chance at bail

In criminal law, people have the right to a bail hearing while they await trial. The Supreme Court is deciding if immigrants have that same right while they fight deportation.

The Supreme Court is considering whether immigrants detained for more than six months should have a chance at bail
Detention center

How immigration detention creates a shadow prison system

Today, the practice of apprehending immigrants and holding them in custody has created a shadow prison system, complete with hundreds of federal and private facilities throughout the country.

How immigration detention creates a shadow prison system
A view of hands on the window of a prison cell door

Poor health care in immigrant detention centers may get worse under Trump

Immigration detention is big business. Trump will make it even bigger.

Poor health care in immigrant detention centers may get worse under Trump
Refugee advocates hold placards and banners during a protest in Sydney on October 5, 2016.

Is the Australian government enabling crimes against humanity in its offshore detention centers?

Australia's offshore detention camps have been brought to the attention of the International Criminal Court. Human rights lawyers want the ICC to investigate whether crimes against humanity are being committed there.

Is the Australian government enabling crimes against humanity in its offshore detention centers?
Migrants, hoping to cross into Hungary, walk with babies on their backs along a railway track outside the village of Horgos in Serbia, toward the border it shares with Hungary, on Aug. 31, 2015.

Hungary will detain asylum-seekers in shipping containers

Hungarian prisoners are also building a second "smart fence" complete with night cameras and heat and movement sensors to keep migrants out.

Hungary will detain asylum-seekers in shipping containers
Front of building with sign for Prairieland Detention Center

President Trump, how will you handle cases of abuse at privately run prisons and immigration detention centers?

We want to know if more private prisons will come with more oversight of those prisons to document and prevent abuses.

President Trump, how will you handle cases of abuse at privately run prisons and immigration detention centers?
Men on horses in Border Patrol uniforms, seen from back at dusk

#4. @realDonaldTrump: As you increase immigration enforcement, will you make public information about detention & deportation? #100Days100Qs

Trump has signed executive orders for the Department of Homeland Security, including an admonition to increase transparency.

#4. @realDonaldTrump: As you increase immigration enforcement, will you make public information about detention & deportation? #100Days100Qs