Regarding Shirley Ann Higuchi’s commentary “For-profit immigrant detention centers are an echo of a sad past.”
Many of the rights we expect as citizens in our criminal courts do not extend to immigrants in detention centers who are navigating our civil immigration courts. There is no right to a speedy trial (because of the current backlog in immigration hearings individuals detained in detention centers may remain locked up for years), no right to a court-appointed lawyer and no regulations over detention center conditions. As Higuchi stated, many for-profit detention centers have a history of poor conditions. This includes facilities run by Management and Training Corporation (MTC), which is proposing to build a detention center in Evanston, Wyo., and has a troubled past with reports of abuse and neglect in its other facilities.
The United States abides by a rule of law and as such has the right to enforce its laws and investigate violations of laws. But can we not show dignity and humanity to those who are merely awaiting a hearing by seeking alternative options to detention centers? Other viable and much less expensive options could include parole, affordable bonds and routine-check-ins.
Melarie Wheat, Draper
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