In 2014, thousands of women and children fleeing violence and persecution in Central America arrived at our southern border seeking protection. The U.S. government responded by detaining women and children in family detention centers and accelerating legal proceedings, often resulting in quick deportations. The detention of children and their parents continues today – the Department of Homeland Security currently operates three family detention facilities, in Dilley and Karnes City, Texas, and Leesport, Pennsylvania. The American Immigration Council is one of four partner organizations with the CARA Family Detention Pro Bono Project [1] providing pro bono representation and legal services to families detained in Dilley, Texas, in conjunction with advocacy and litigation efforts to end the practice of family detention entirely by challenging unlawful asylum, detention, and deportation policies.
The American Immigration Council has developed the following resources as part of our efforts to end family detention:
Immigration Council Resources
- CARA Family Detention Pro Bono Project [1]
- Artesia Resource Page [2]
- Fact Sheet: The Flores Litigation and the Impact on Family Detention [3] (CARA Family Detention Pro Bono Project Fact Sheet, October 2015)
- An Insiders' Look into the Family Detention Center in Dilley [4] (Conference Call, September 2015)
- A Humane Approach Can Work: The Effectiveness of Alternatives to Detention for Asylum Seekers [5] (July 2015)
- A Guide to Children Arriving at the Border: Laws, Policies and Responses [6](June 2015)
- Taking Attendance: New Data Finds Majority of Children Appear in Immigration Court [7] (July 2014)
- No Childhood Here: Why Central American Children are Fleeing Their Homes [8] (July 2014)
- Mexican and Central American Asylum and Credible Fear Claims: Background and Context [9] (May 2014)
Immigration Council Advocacy Letters and Complaints
- Letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Commissioner Specia urging the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to decline licenses to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for its two detention centers in Texas [10] (October 2015)
- Letter to ICE Director Sarah Saldaña regarding Chaos and Confusion Surrounding Release of Mothers and Children from Family Detention Facilities [11] (July 2015)
- Complaint to the DHS Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Regarding the Detrimental Mental Health Effects of Detention on Immigrant Families [12] (June 2015)
- Complaint to the DHS Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and Office of the Inspector General Regarding Inadequate Medical Care in Family Detention Facilities [13] (July 2015)
Immigration Council Blog Posts
- Read our Family Detention-related blog posts [14].
Immigration Council Press Statements
Flores Litigation
- Government Continues Incarcerating Mothers and Children Despite Judge’s Ruling [15] (October 23, 2015)
- Court Orders Prompt Release of Immigrant Children from Family Detention [16] (August 24, 2015)
- DOJ's Shameful Attempt to Pretty up Family Detention Comes up Woefully Short [17] (August 07, 2015)
- Judge Stands Up for Refugee Families, Castigates Government for Policies That Traumatize Children [18] (July 25, 2015)
CARA Pro Bono Project
- Eight of Twelve Families Targeted by ICE Have Been Released, Remaining Mothers and Children Still Unjustly Incarcerated [19] (February 8, 2016)
- Central American Mothers Targeted in Immigration Raids and Still Detained Pen Letter to Obama [20] (January 28, 2016)
- CARA: 33 Mothers and Children Protected from Immediate Deportation [21] (January, 2016)
- CARA Family Detention Pro Bono Project Succeeds in Winning Stays of Deportation of 12 [22] (January 6, 2016)
- DOJ's Shameful Attempt to Pretty up Family Detention Comes up Woefully Short [17] (August 7, 2015)
- Obama Administration Again Hands Families Over to Private Prison Company [23] (September 18, 2015)
- Five Incarcerated Refugee Families Finally Released After Being Held for Months on End [24] (September 10, 2015)
- Incarcerated Children and Mothers Denied Due Process and Critical Information Before Release [25] (July 27, 2015)
- Immigrants’ Rights Groups to Provide Pro Bono Legal Services to Detained Families in Texas [26] (March 31, 2015)
Artesia Lawsuit
- Immigrant Rights Advocates Sue to Reveal Policies and Procedures at Artesia Family Detention Facility [26] (October 21, 2014)
- Groups Sue U.S. Government over Life-Threatening Deportation Process Against Mothers and Children [27](August 22, 2014)
- Groups Ask Court to Block Deportation Hearings for Children Without Legal Representation [28] (August 01, 2014)
- The U.S. Must Not Lower the Bar on Protecting Children Fleeing Violence [29] (July 30, 2014)
Health Conditions in Family Detention Centers
- Deplorable Medical Treatment at Family Detention Centers [30] (July 30, 2015)
- Vaccine Overdose to Detained Children Another Sign that Family Detention Must End [31] (July 4, 2015)
- Traumatizing Impact of Family Detention on Mental Health of Children and Mothers [32] (June 30, 2015)
Responses to Government Announcements on Family Detention Policies and Practices
- Release of Refugee Families is Long-Overdue Step [33] (July 13, 2015)
- Homeland Security Secretary Announces Changes to Family Detention Policies [34] (June 24, 2015)
- Government Shows No Signs of Backing Down on Family Detention [35] (May 14, 2015)
- Department of Homeland Security Doubles Down on Family Detention [36](November 18, 2014)
Additional Resources
- Appointed Counsel for Children in Immigration Proceedings [37]
- Unconstitutional Conditions in CBP Detention Facilities Challenged in Class Action Lawsuit [38]
- Information about other litigation and advocacy challenging CBP enforcement tactics by the American Immigration Council [41]
- Hold CBP Accountable [42]