Thread: ICE Will No Longer Sedate Deportees

ICE Will No Longer Sedate Deportees

Jan 11, 9:40 PM (ET)

By PETER PRENGAMAN

LOS ANGELES (AP) - U.S. immigration officials have told their agents not to sedate deportees without a court order, according to a memo obtained Friday by The Associated Press.

The change in policy was announced internally Wednesday and came after a federal lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union. The change is effective immediately, according to the memo.

"Field officers may no longer request a medical escort ... in order to administer involuntary sedation to facilitate an alien's removal unless the government has obtained an order authorizing sedation from a federal district court," wrote John Torres, detention and removal director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

A spokeswoman verified the memo's authenticity.

"The directive is consistent with ICE's commitment to maintain safe, secure, and humane conditions for those in our custody," said spokeswoman Virginia Kice. "Medical sedation will only be considered as a last resort."

To get a sedation order from court, officials must show deportees have a history of physical resistance to being removed or are a danger to themselves.

"There are no exceptions to this policy," the memo said.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080112/D8U42IJO0.html

Moved from General Discussion.

So now a deportee can pitch a hissy fit whenever he or she is about to be deported to delay the process for who knows how long. The only thing this accomplishes is more wasted taxpayer dollars.

Why do we constantly allow the ACLU make the rules? Seems to me that ICE caught have fought this in the courts.

Originally Posted by MW

So now a deportee can pitch a hissy fit whenever he or she is about to be deported to delay the process for who knows how long. The only thing this accomplishes is more wasted taxpayer dollars.

Why do we constantly allow the ACLU make the rules? Seems to me that ICE caught have fought this in the courts.

Because we were too stupid, busy, self-absorbed or insane to stop the ACLU when they were little and stoppable. We the People have let them steam roll us for so long, we seem to lay down and surrender when they rear their ugly heads.

"Field officers may no longer request a medical escort ... in order to administer involuntary sedation to facilitate an alien's removal unless the government has obtained an order authorizing sedation from a federal district court," wrote John Torres, detention and removal director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This is confusing--technically a federal court judge cannot 'order' medication--he/she would be practicing 'medicine' without a license. A licensed physician has to order the medication.

I suggest a little check box for sedation on each deportation paper to be used as needed.

The directive is consistent with ICE's commitment to maintain safe, secure, and humane conditions for those in our custody," said spokeswoman Virginia Kice. "Medical sedation will only be considered as a last resort."

If a deportee is flown out of the country and decides to get physical midflight, it's a bit late to get a federal court's permission. What about the rights of other passengers and crew--I'm concerned about maintaining safe, secure and humane conditions for them. If one flight becomes unpleasant, I hope the airline, crew and passengers sue the ACLU as accessories.


Distrust and caution are the parents of security.
Benjamin Franklin

There was this same problem in Europe not too long ago. Now they use straightjackets.

Originally Posted by miguelina

There was this same problem in Europe not too long ago. Now they use straightjackets.

That was the first solution that came to my mind. Everyone else is safe and so is the deportee. They can't hurt themselves to delay deportation and they can't hurt anyone else. it will be used by the OBL to show how inhumane we are though.

Straightjackets won't stop obscene language, screaming and verbal abuse whereas sedation at least toned it down.

Fences make good neighbors.

Originally Posted by MyAmerica

Straightjackets won't stop obscene language, screaming and verbal abuse whereas sedation at least toned it down.

Fences make good neighbors.

ummm how about also using gags? lol

I would freak out if I saw a man in a straight jacket on my flight!!