Congress is weighing legislation that would end the use of immigration detention facilities for families with children and instead use community based alternatives. Supporters of the bill said it would be inhumane to detain families and could have psychological repercussions for children that may last a lifetime. They believe in case management programs that allow families to stay together in community settings while their immigration cases are processed.
Backers emphasize that evidence shows such alternatives are not only more humane but more economical as well. Studies have been cited with high compliance rates by migrants participating in community programs, against concerns about flight risks. Advocacy groups hailed the proposal as an essential step toward reforming the immigration detention system.
Opponents say that closing the family detention centers would weaken enforcement and create an incentive for people to enter the country illegally. They emphasize that strong tracking measures must be in place to guarantee that migrants show up to court and fulfill other obligations.
The proposed law represents a milestone in the decade long controversy surrounding family detention and immigration policy. If passed, the law may set a new bar for how the U.S. balances enforcement with humane treatment of migrants, especially children.
Leave a comment!