Disabled men to be released from ICE custody
Published: March 31, 2010
Updated: 10:01 a.m.
Disabled men to be released from ICE custody
BY CINDY CARCAMO
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement official said the release was appropriate for the two men. The agency reviewed their cases, including custody status, medical conditions and assurances from the families, the official said.
The release report comes on the heels of an announcement Friday that the ACLU and other civil-rights organizations had filed federal petitions seeking the release of Franco and the other mentally disabled detainee, Guillermo Gomez-Sanchez.
The petitions accuse the government of holding the men without due process and in violation of federal discrimination laws meant to protect people with disabilities.
On Friday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said they could not speak in detail about the two immigration cases because of pending litigation.
However, spokeswoman Virginia Kice did say the agency is working on "sweeping reforms" that will "enhance medical and mental health conditions" for immigration detainees.
"We don't detain for punitive reasons," she said.
The conditions of Franco's and Gomez-Sanchez's release are not known at this time and will likely be negotiated between attorneys and immigration officials Wednesday morning, London said.
Franco is expected to be released to his family in Costa Mesa.
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Contact the writer: 714-796-7924 or ccarcamo@ocregister.com
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