Three minors in another state recently acted as representatives for teen immigrants throughout the nation when they challenged their detentions. Authorities say the three were suspected of gang-related activity in the United States. However, a federal judge weighed in on the topic at large, saying U.S. immigration law provides due process for minor immigrants in Florida and beyond, who must be given hearings before being sent away to detention centers.
The three immigrants acting in the class action lawsuit say they were sent to high-security detainment facilities without due process of law. The federal judge who heard their case has ruled that the U.S. government violated the immigrants’ civil rights. The judge stated no minor immigrant may be indefinitely detained without being given opportunity for a hearing.
The judge also said the teenagers’ hearings must be held within seven days of their arrests. An immigrant advocate speaking about the boys’ situations said they can take comfort in knowing they cannot be arrested again without probable cause. They are free.
As part of the judge’s recent ruling, all immigrant minors currently being held in detention who have not been given hearings must be processed accordingly by Nov. 29, 2017. U.S. immigration law is quite complex, and updates pertaining to minor immigrants may personally affect many lives in Florida. Anyone in need of immediate legal assistance may reach out for support from an immigration and naturalization law attorney. An attorney well versed in immigration law can address detention matters as well as any other issues pertaining to legal status.
Source: courthousenews.com, “US Must Hold Hearings for Detained Immigrant Teenagers“, Nicholas Iovino, Nov. 22, 2017
