A Detention Center Mea Culpa
by Julian Aguilar
January 6, 2010







Enlarge photo by: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security


The U.S. government is imposing greater restrictions than are necessary on most aliens detained for immigration violations, according to a charge made by — surprisingly enough — the U.S. government.

The mea culpa is included in a report compiled by Dr. Dora Schriro, the former Director of the Office of Detention Policy and Planning, released in late 2009. During fiscal year 2008 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) held in its custody or supervised about 378,500 aliens, which the report says isn’t exactly the agency’s job. According to the study, ICE “is comprised primarily of law enforcement personnel with extensive expertise performing removal functions, but not in the design and delivery of detention facilities and community-based alternatives.â€