L.A. Immigration Dentention Facility Loses Accreditation
Spokeswoman: 'Unrelated To Detainee Care'

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 13, 2007 - The immigration detention facility in San Pedro, one of several nationwide to come under scrutiny from immigrant and civil rights groups, has lost its accreditation.

The center houses several hundred illegal immigrants who have been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and are facing deportation.

The facility lost accreditation in August after failing to comply with mandatory standards an official with the Alexandria, Va.-based American Correctional Association told The Associated Press. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to make public comments.

Citing agency policy, the official declined to release the inspection report or elaborate on why the facility failed the renewal inspection, done every three years.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Virginia Kice confirmed the lost accreditation, but says it was not related to detainee care - an issue that's drawn criticism and lawsuits.

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