Thread: RI-ACLU urging no more immigrant detainees in RI

Advocates urging no more immigrant detainees in RI
April 24, 2009

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—A civil liberties group is urging Rhode Island's congressional delegation to stay out of a fight to bring immigration detainees back to the state.


Last year, Chinese immigrant Hiu Lui (HYEW' Loo) "Jason" Ng (Eng) died in custody at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls amid allegations of abuse and medical neglect.

Federal immigration officials responded by pulling their 153 detainees out of the facility, costing the jail $100,000 a week. The facility wants the detainees back.

In a letter to the delegation, made public Friday, the state branch of the American Civil Liberties Union said it was troubled by the jail's emphasis on meeting its budget by filling beds with detainees.

The letter asked the lawmakers, who condemned Ng's death, not to intervene in the dispute.

http://tinyurl.com/d37qx2

Senator Jack Reed (D- RI) 202-224-4642 202-224-4680
http://reed.senate.gov/contact/contact-share.cfm C

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D- RI) 202-224-2921 202-228-6362 http://whitehouse.senate.gov/contact/ F-

Representative Patrick J. Kennedy (D - 01) 202-225-4911 202-225-3290
http://www.house.gov/formpatrickkennedy/IMA/issue.htm F

Representative James R. Langevin (D - 02) 202-225-2735 202-225-5976 http://langevin.house.gov/comments.shtml D

I do not know about Reed and Langevin but Whitehouse and Kennedy have really lousy rescords on immigration

My response to the ACLU action...


Representative Langevin: The citizens of Rhode Island should not be burdened with any more additional costs to maintain and operate the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility than required . If a way to operate and maintain the facility does exist that will allow it to operate under safe conditions for the inmates and again incarcerate Federal Immigration Detainees this will help take some of the burden off from Rhode Island taxpayers. For the ACLU to take the position that Rhode Island should refrain from again taking these federal prisoners is not in the best interests of the citizens and is just mean spirited and vindictive action from the ACLU at the expense of your voters . Thank You