US immigration revise policy on detaining asylum seekers
December 17 2009 by Liam Clifford
The ways in which US immigration deal with asylum seekers is to be changed say Washington
The White House has said it will stop detaining asylum seekers who have a valid fear of persecution or worse, in their own countries.
To be set free into the US the asylum seekers will have to show the validity of the persecution, categorically have their identities confirmed and demonstrate they are not dangerous or a flight risk, John Morton from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has said
Those who alight at a port of entry and are discovered to have a valid and credible fear of persecution will be screened for release into the US.
The asylum seekers entering the US will still need to spend time in a immigration detention center while they undergo investigation and their details are checked.
Their stay in the US will be deemed as temporary until a final hearing is made on the asylum claim.
Currently, asylum seekers who arrive in the US without valid documents can be immediately dejected from the country, without an appeal. US Immigration and Customs confirmed that requests for release will have to be made in writing.
Advocates of stronger US immigration law have renounced the plan, and say that immigration detention centers serve a vital purpose. Steve Camarota, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies said;
"The overwhelming amount of people who apply for asylum don't get it and that's why they don't show up. Lack of detention destroys the credibility and meaningfulness of immigration courts."
See the latest Immigration News
