A federal court has handed down a ruling that may potentially affect close to 100 immigrants in two counties in another state. In Florida and other states, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) often enters contracts with county jail systems to detain people accused of immigration violations. A recent federal court ruling will bring such contracts to an end, at least, in two counties in the Midwest.
Advocates are working to free nearly 100 immigrants
In the two counties in question, there are close to 100 detainees who have been behind bars because of alleged immigration violations. Immigrant advocates acting on their behalf said they hope that the detainees will be set free soon. The advocates assert that ICE detentions are unnecessary and cruel.
They argue that, not only should county jails not have contracts to detain people accused of immigration violations but that all such detainments should be ended nationwide. Those who support continuation of these programs often say that the detainments help ensure that people will show up to immigration hearings when ordered to do so.
County jails were paid by ICE for each detainee
ICE reportedly paid a county jail in Illinois approximately $95 for each person detained because of suspected immigration violations. In recent years, such jails have earned millions of dollars in revenue due to ICE contracts. Because of a substantial reduction in detainees last year, that amount dwindled to less than $500,000. Any Florida resident who is currently struggling to resolve an immigration matter may request consultation with an attorney who is well-versed in this particular area of the law.
