MissingtheMark:hownationalsecuritystrategiesinRioGrandeborder communitiessacrificebasichumanrightsandfailtomakeTexanssafe

Missing the Mark:

How national security strategies in Rio Grande Valley border communities sacrifice basic human rights and fail to make Texans safe
~Rio Grande Border Communities Speak Out~

AmericanCivilLibertiesUnionofTexas December2009

ACLUOFTEXASP.O.BOX12905AUSTIN,TX78711T/512.478.7300F/512.478.7303www.aclutx.org

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Contributors: RebeccaBernhardt,ACLUofTexas KathrynBrimacombe,ACLUofTexas DottyGriffith,ACLUofTexas JoseRomero,ACLUofTexas EmilyCarey,ACLUofNewMexicoRegionalCenterforBorderRights AdditionalDocumentationandRecommendations: ACLUFoundationImmigrantRightsProject ACLUFoundationRacialJusticeProject ACLUFoundationNationalPrisonProject ACLUFoundationHumanRightsProject SpecialthankstoMyraMacPherson;reporter,editorandcivillibertarianextraordinaire,whose curiosityanddeterminationaddedahumandimensiontothisreport. Acknowledgements Wewanttothankallofthecourageousindividualsandcommunitieswhocontributedtheirtime, knowledge,expertiseandstoriestothedevelopmentofthisreport.Werecognizethatwewere onlyabletoportrayasnapshotoftheirreality.Thosewhotooktimeoutoftheirschedulesto sharetheirpain,fearandfrustrationsaswellastheirhopesforabetterandsaferlifearefighters forjustice. WehavecometoknowthattheRioGrandeValleyasaspecialplace.Inthewordsofoneofthe heroesofthisstory,MichaelSeifert,formerlyofProjectoDigna,Despitethehardnessoflifehere, welovetheValley.ThereisaqualityoflifeherethatismissinginSanAntonioorHoustonor Dallas.Thereishereanintangiblespiritthatdefiesthemeasuresofthesocialsciences.Somecallit solidarity,othersalovefortheextendedfamily.Churchpeoplecallitcommunity.TheValleyisone placeinAmericawhereneighborsstillunashamedlygodoortodoortoaskfordonationsfora funeral,wherenoonesleepsonthestreets,wherenoonegoeswithoutameal,howeversimple thatofferingmightbe. Wehonortheirstruggle.Itisourhopethatthisreportcanshedanationallightontheirreality and,intheprocess,serveasacatalystforchange. TheContributors

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TABLEOFCONTENTS
I.EXECUTIVESUMMARY......................................................................................................................4 II.RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................................................7 III.THELOWERRIOGRANDEVALLEYINAHISTORICALCONTEXT...................................................10 IV.DETENTION:ICECHILLSTEXAS.....................................................................................................13 a.)WhyDetentionHasIncreased ..................................................................................................13 b.)InhumaneLivingConditionsinDetentionCenters...................................................................16 c.)LivinginDetention:HazardoustoYourHealth ........................................................................19 d.)WomenUnderserved,atRiskofSexualAssaults .....................................................................21 e.)IneffectiveMonitoringofHIVandAIDSPatients .....................................................................21 f.)UseofQuarantineQuestioned..................................................................................................22 g.)DenialofMentalHealthcare,InappropriatePunishment ........................................................22 h.)Hunger,SpoiledandInsectInfestedFood ...............................................................................23 i.)InconsistentAccesstoReligiousMaterialsandServices...........................................................24 j.)VisitationLimited,LawLibrariesandTelephoneAccessInsufficient........................................24 V.LIVINGINANOCCUPIEDZONE .....................................................................................................26 a.)LawEnforcementAuthorityintheBorderlands.......................................................................26 b.)HumanRightsPrinciples...........................................................................................................27 VI.LIVINGWITHTHEBORDERWALL.................................................................................................28 a.)Economicinequityandpropertyrightsviolationsthreatenawayoflife ................................28 b.)DestructionofSacredSpace:ViolationofCultural&ReligiousFreedoms..............................29

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I.EXECUTIVESUMMARY nformationforthisreportwascompiledover18monthsofresearchandtwostaffinvestigative visitstotheValley.WehavelookedatmajorissuesfacingthishistoricpartofTexas: growingnumbersofdetaineesbeingheldforlongperiodsoftimeinsubstandard conditions; growingmilitarizationalongtheborderaslocallawenforcementbecomesmoreandmore involvedinenforcementoffederalimmigrationlaw; denialofpassportstoU.S.citizensbornofmidwives;and constructionoftheBorderWall. Testimonyfromdetainees,theirattorneysandadvocates,residentsandofficialshasbeen compiledtopaintapictureofsystemicandsystematiccivilandhumanrightsviolations. DuringtheACLUdelegationvisit,weintervieweddetainees,someheldforyearswithouta hearing,andtheirattorneyswhotellstoriesoflittleornomedicalcare,and,insomeinstances, lifethreateningmedicalmistakes.Theydescribedetaineesliveswithoutprivacy,hungerbecause foodisinedibleorinsufficient,isolation,deprivation,andassault.Heldinaremoteregionwithfew resources,theyarefarfromfamilyandaccesstolegalrepresentation.Theysufferwithlittleorno accesstocounsel,friendsorfamily. TheObamaAdministrationhasrecently pledgedtooverhaulimmigration detentionpolicies.Whileweare optimistic,fewchangeshavebeen implementedasofthisdate.Ifputinto effect,recommendationsintheOct.6, 2009,reportbyDr.DoraSchriroto HomelandSecurityandImmigrationand CustomsEnforcement(ICE)would addresssomeoftheviolations,poor conditionsandhumiliationsdetention immigrantscurrentlysuffer.Withregard todetentionconditions,our Photo credit: James Tourtellotte recommendationsarelargelyconsistent A U.S. Border Patrol bicycle unit patrols the city of Brownsville, TX looking for illegal immigrants. withthoseintheSchriroreport. Problemsrelatingtodetentionandabuseoflocallawenforcementpowerscontinuemakinglife alongtheborderfearfulformostanddangerousformany.Theseabuseshavebeencommittedin thenameofnationalsecurity,yetstatisticsshowthatcarteldrivenviolentcrime,human traffickinganddrugsmugglingcontinuetoincrease.Thecurrentapproachesarenottheanswer.

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ResidentsoftheLowerRioGrandeValleyexpressedseriousconcernsovertheactionsoflocallaw enforcementagenciesstoppingindividualsbecauseoftheirracialorethnicappearanceandin attemptingtoenforcefederalimmigrationlaws.Theyrelatednumerousincidentsoflocalpolice stoppingvehiclessimplybecausethedriver,thepassengers,orthevehiclelookedsuspicious. Localresidentsalsoreportedthatpoliceoftenquestiondriversandpassengersofvehiclesand holdthemuntilBorderPatrolagentsarrived. Locallawenforcementagenciesandofficialshavebeenspeakingoutregardingthedangersof locallawenforcementengagingintheenforcementoffederalimmigrationlaw.TheMajorCities Chiefs,comprisingchiefsfromthelargest64policedepartmentsintheUnitedStatesandCanada, issuedaninepointstatementregardingtheenforcementofimmigrationlawsbylocalpolice agenciesinJune2006.Keyconcernsincludedbrokentrustresultinginlackofcooperationfrom immigrantcommunitiesnecessarytomaximizepublicsafety,threatofcivilliabilityduetothe complexityofimmigrationlaw,andtakingawayalreadylimitedlocalresourcesforpublicsafety. Locallawenforcementagenciesengaginginborderenforcementwithoutoversightorguidance hascreatedaclimateoffearandmistrustoflawenforcement. InMarch2009,theACLUofTexasissuedareport,OperationBorderStar:WastedMillionsand MissedOpportunities.The33pagereportdescribedhow11of40participatingTexaslocallaw enforcementagenciesusedBorderStar,a$110million,statefundedeffortthatissupposedto combatviolentcrime,drugsmugglingandterrorism. "Asalawenforcementprogram,OperationBorderStarhasbeenafailurebecauseitencourages policeandsheriff'sdepartmentstomeasuretheirsuccessbasedoneverydaypolicingactivitieslike arrestsfordisorderlyconduct,"saidLauraMartin,ACLUofTexasPolicyAnalystandthereport's leadauthor."Itthereforetakesthefocusfromtheprogram'sintendedgoaloffightingcartel violenceandorganizedcrime."Thereportreceivedstatewide,nationalandinternationalnews coverage. Asecondsimilarreportisbeingpreparedforissuanceinthecomingyear. Whilethemattersofdetentionandhumanrightsviolationsremainofseriousconcern,ACLUof Texasworkhasresultedinaremedyforfamiliesheldindetention,promisedimprovementsin detentionfacilitiesalongtheborder,andwonamajorclassactioncaserelatingtothedenialof passports. OnSept.17,ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement(ICE)releasedthelastfamilyfromtheT.Don HuttoFamilyResidentialFacilitynearAustin.ICEannouncedthatitwilldetainonlyfemalesatHutto andwillconsolidatethefemalepopulationsfromvariousfacilities,includingWillacyandPortIsabel, intoHutto,allowingICEtobettermonitortheneedsofanddevelopprogramsspecifictothis population.ReportsfromimmigrationlawyersintheValleyindicatethatasofNovember2009, womencontinuetobehousedinboththeWillacyandPortIsabelfacilities.

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Afterfilingsuit,theACLUofTexas,theAmericanCivilLibertiesUnion(ACLU),thelawfirmof Hogan&HartsonLLP,andRefugiodelRioGrande,Inc.reachedalegalsettlementwiththe DepartmentofStatewhichshould,intime,amelioratethelogjamsanddenialsfacedbypassport applicantswhohappenedtohavebeenattendedatbirthintheValleybymidwives. Unfortunately,sinceourvisittotheValley,theBorderWallhasnearedcompletionandtheObama Administrationhasissuedordersforconstructiontocontinue,despiteyearsoflegalchallenges andcommunityopposition.

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II.RECOMMENDATIONS a.)Detention ImplementRecommendationsoftheSchriroReportinSouthTexas. ThefindingsoftheSchriroReport,regardingthedisproportionateshareofdetention infrastructurelocatedinTexas,theneedforanincreaseintheuseofalternativesto detention,andtheimportanceofadequatemedicalcare,accesstolawlibraries, recreation,religiousservicesandservicesforspecialpopulations,areallconsistentwith thefindingsofthisreportandtheSchriroReportsrecommendationsshouldbe implementedimmediately.1 StopLocatingImmigrationDetentionFacilitiesinIsolatedLocations. NewdetentionfacilitiesshouldnotbelocatedinplacessuchasSouthTexaswherethere arenotenoughresourcessuchasimmigrationattorneysandmedicalstaff,including doctors,dentistsandmentalhealthprofessionals,toprovidesufficientrepresentationand medicalcarefordetainees. EndRelianceonContractDetentionFacilities DuetolackofaccountabilitytoICE,theirremotelocations,structuralweaknessesintheir physicalplants,andchronicinabilitytostaffkeypositions,especiallyhealthcare professionals,relianceoncontractfacilities,includingWillacyandtheSouthTexas DetentionComplex,shouldbeended. b.)LocalLawEnforcement DevelopClearGrantGuidelinesforLocalLawEnforcementAgencies. FederalfundingofprogramssuchasOperationStonegarden,OperationLinebacker,and nowOperationBorderStarwereallocatedtoassistlocallawenforcementagenciesin combatingborderrelatedcriminalactivity.Theseresourceshavebeeninappropriately usedtoconductimmigrationenforcementincommunities,resultingincivilrights violations.Futurefundingshouldhavespecificoutcomemeasuresthatencourage trainingandprofessionaldevelopmentinsmallerdepartmentsthatwillimprovepolice effectiveness.Departmentsshouldbescreenedforpotentialcorruptionbeforegrantsare allocatedtoensuregrantsdonotgotocorruptdepartments.Departmentsneedclear guidancetoensurecriminallawenforcementactivitiesaretheirfocusinsteadofimmigrant roundups.Continuedcivilrightsviolationsshouldresultindiscontinuationoffunding. CreateCommunityInvolvementCapacityforBorderPatrolandLocalLawEnforcement. Ensuringoversightandaccountabilityoflawenforcementagenciesrequiresongoing communicationandrelationshipbuildingbetweenkeycommunitystakeholdersandlaw enforcementagencies.Thecreationofcivilianoversightorcommunityinvolvement capacityhasworkedincitiessuchasDetroitandNewYorktodevelopmechanismsfor workingtowardsrebuildingbrokencommunitytrust.
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 ThereShouldbeWrittenInteragencyAgreementsWhenLocalLawEnforcementand FederalAgenciesCollaborate. Agreementsbetweenagenciesmustbetransparentandprotocolsmadeclearto communitymembersinordertoensureoversightandaccountability. ProhibitLocalLawEnforcementfromEnforcingCivilImmigrationLawsandRevise StandardOperationalProcedures. Localenforcementofcivilimmigrationlawsleadstoracialandethnicprofilingand undermineseffectivepolicingbydiscouragingimmigrantcommunitiesfromcooperating withthepolice. TheACLUcallsforthedevelopmentofStandardOperationalProcedures forborderlawenforcementagencieswhichspecificallyaddressthenarrowcircumstances whenaninquiryintoimmigrationstatuswouldbeappropriate,inamannerthatrespects thehumanandcivilrightsofbordercommunities. RequireCivilRightsandCrimeVictimTrainingforLawEnforcement. Locallawenforcementagenciesshouldberequiredandprovidedfundingtoengageincivil rightstraining.Additionaltrainingandeducationisneededforofficerstobeableto identifycrimevictims,includingvictimsofhumantrafficking,andhelpthemtoaccess availableservicesandlegalrecourse.Identifyingandassistingvictimsensuresthattheyare treatedfairly,andbolstersprosecutionefforts.

c.)BorderWall
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Photo credit: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

MandateFiscalAccountabilityRelatingtoBorderFenceConstruction. TheborderfencehasthusfarcostU.S.taxpayersmorethan$2.4billionwithanestimated needfor$6.4billionmoreoverthenext20yearsformaintenance.2HomelandSecurity andotherfederalagenciesshouldbemandatedtoplanandallocateresources proportionatetothedegreeofthreat,notingdistinctionsbetweenviolentcrimeand seriousrisktohumansafetyversuscivilimmigrationviolations. AppointIndependentCommissiontoAssessImpactofBorderFence. Priortodevelopingplansforadditionalbordersecurityfenceconstruction,anindependent commissionshouldassesstheimpactofthecurrentconstruction. Theindependentcommissionshouldbecomposedofexpertsincivilandhumanrightsas wellascommunitymemberswhohavebeendirectlyaffected.Theassessmentsshould includeeffectsofinfrastructureoncommunitieswithrecommendationsformitigating negativeimpacts.

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III.THELOWERRIOGRANDEVALLEYINAHISTORICALCONTEXT TheRioGrandeValleyregionofSouthTexashasalwayshadadistinctbiculturalflavorsinceits earliestdaysinthe18thcenturywhenKingCarlosofSpaingrantedlandtodwellersintheborder territory.FollowingtheMexicanAmericanWarof1846,theValleywasincorporatedintothe UnitedStatesbutitsuniquenatureliveson. Intheearlydaysofthe20thcentury,MexicannationalscrossedthebordertoworkonTexas farmsandoilfields,returningtoMexicoattheendofeachseasonasroutinelyasiftheywere crossingfromoneAmericanstatetoanother.OthermigrantfarmworkerssettledintheRio GrandeValley,makingfrequentcrossbordertripstoseerelatives.Althoughunlawfultocross intotheUnitedStateswithoutfederalpermission,muchoftheTexasborderwasnotaggressively policedbyU.S.BorderPatrolorotherfederallawenforcementforseveraldecades.Theseworkers werefartooessentialtoU.S.agriculture,fromtoilingasstooplaborinfieldstoworkinginpacking sheds. TheRioGrandeValleyremainsoneofthepoorestregionsintheUnitedStatesdespitethe passageoftheNorthAmericanFreeTradeAgreement(NAFTA)in1994.Eventhoughthevalleys economyhasgrownsubstantiallysincetheninsuchareasasmanufacturing,transportation,and tourism,allfourRioGrandeValleycountiesrankedamongthe100lowestincomecountiesinthe UnitedStatesbaseduponpercapitaincome,accordingtoU.S.CensusBureaudata. InOctober2009unemploymentwas10.8%fortheBrownsvilleHarlingenareaand11.6%forthe McAllenEdinburgMissionarea,thehighestunemploymentratesinTexasandwellabovethe nationalrate.3 CameronandHidalgoweretheonlytwocountiesintheUnitedStateswithmedianhousehold incomesunder$25,000;oneothernationally(BronxNY)wasunder$30,000.Cameron(cityof Brownsville)andHidalgo(cityofEdinburg)countiesalsohadthehighestpovertyratesofany countiesintheUnitedStates;eachhadarateofabout41percent.4 IntodaysviolentandemotionallychargedatmospherealongtheMexicansideoftheborder, borderenforcementactionsoftenunderminebasiccivilandhumanrightsandnegativelyaffect thepassageofgoodsthroughlandports.ConstructionoftheBorderWallraisesdeepconcernsfor manyreasonsandanxiousValleyeconomicleadersfearthatitsendsthewrongmessagetoTexas numberonetradingpartner,Mexico. AsadironyisthattheRioGrandeValley,nowplaguedwithhumanandcivilrightsabuses,has producedthemostpatrioticofcitizens,withadisproportionatelyhighpopulationofbothmilitary veteransandresidentscurrentlyonactiveduty.TheValleyhasthehighestpercapitaofindividuals servingintheIraqWar,accordingtoonecommunityadvocate.Onenativeson,generalRicardo SanchezwasthehighestrankingLatinointheU.S.armedforcesatthetimeofhisretirement.Raul Yzaguirre,whorosetobecomethePresidentandCEOoftheNationalCouncilofLaRaza,beganhis careerbyservinghiscountryintheU.S.AirForce.
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DespitetheValleysmodestpopulation,thisregionhasproducedseverallandmarkcivilrights casesdecidedbythehighestcourtintheland. InCastanedav.Partida,theU.S.SupremeCourtheldMexicanAmericanshadbeensubjectto racialdiscriminationintheselectionofgrandjurors.MexicanAmericansmadeup79.1percentof thecountyspopulationbutonly39percentofthegrandjurorsduringtherelevanttimeperiod.5 ThisimportantbutoftenoverlookedrulingestablishedthatMexicanAmericanscouldbe discriminatedagainstbygovernmentactioneveninacountywhereMexicanAmericansalso controlledthecountygovernment. InBernalv.Fainter,theU.S.Supreme CourtfoundunconstitutionalaTexas statutethatapersonhadtobeaU.S. citizentoqualifyforcertificationasa notarypublic.Itruledthatthestatute violatedtheprinciplesofequal protection6afterEfremBernal,a lawfulpermanentresident,was rejectedwhenheappliedtobea notary.Thisrulingestablishedthat citizenshipwasanappropriate conditionofemploymentforonlya narrowcategoryofoccupations. Photo credit: Gerald L. Nino A U.S. Border Patrol check point in Hidalgo, TX In1975,theU.S.SupremeCourtheldin UnitedStatesv.BrignoniPoncethattheFourthAmendmentdidnotpermitU.S.BorderPatrol agentstodetainvehiclesintheborderregiontoquestionoccupantsabouttheircitizenshipand immigrationstatusbasedsolelyontheirMexicanappearance.7Althoughthisrulingmaderacial profilingillegal,theCourtsetastandardforthesestopslowerthanprobablecause,adoptinga reasonablesuspicionstandardforvehiclestopsbyBorderPatrolintheborderregion. Despitethisimportantprecedent,residentscontinuetofeeltheyarevictimsofracialprofiling. EveryoneintheRioGrandeknowsthemajorcheckpoint,100milesnorthoftheborderalongU.S. Highway77.ThefollowingchroniclesanACLUofTexasstaffexperienceononeofourbordertrips. LowerRioGrandeValleyresidentscontinuetofightagainstthisandotherindignities.One grassrootscommunitygroup,LaUniondelPuebloUrido(LUPE),metwithpolicetoprotest unwarrantedsearchandseizure,unlawfuldetentionandracialprofiling.8AfterLUPEmembersmet withLaJoyaChiefofPoliceJoedelAngel,heconcededthathisofficersarenotheretodeport anybody,[they]arenotimmigration.HeassuredLUPEthathewouldoffermoretrainingtohis officersandthatofficerswerewillingtohavemeetingswiththecommunity.9 Otherbordergroupshavealsosecuredagreementswithlocalpoliceagenciestostoppolice officersfromenforcingimmigration,asprohibitedbyfederallaw.InElPaso,SheriffJimmy Apodacapromisedlocaladvocacygroupsthathisdepartmentwouldnotengageinthefollowing:
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settingupcheckpointsnearschoolsandduringmorningoreveningrushhours;targetingonly oldermakecars(allcarsmustbestoppedatcheckpoints);askingpeoplenotundersuspicionfor havingbrokenalawfortheirSocialSecuritycardsorproofofcitizenship;andusingabusive languageortactics.10 ThecheckpointlookedformidableeventothethreeAnglosinourrentalcar.FiveBorder PatrolSUVslinedthesideleadingtothecheckpoint.Tenmoresatontheotherside.Large signs,oneinSpanishandoneinEnglish,warned,K9onDuty.RestrainYourPets.A guardpacedtheareawithaleashedGermanshepherd.Ayoungborderpatrolguard peeredinandsawthreepalefacedAnglos.AreyouU.S.Citizens?heasked.Yes,came thedriversresponse.Whereareyougoing?Austin.Hesmiledandwavedourcaron, adding,Haveagoodtrip. OureasypassageisntsoroutineforHispanicdriversorpassengerswholookMexican. Searchesbasedonobviousonracialprofilingareattheheartofmanylegalbattles.Rio GrandeValleyresidentandactivistElizabethGarcia,anaturalizedcitizen,explained, SometimesIgetallkindsofquestions.WhentheysayAreyouaU.S.citizen?itisalways hard(becauseIamanaturalizedcitizen.)IfIsayyes,theyusuallydon'tbelieveme,so theyaskmeWherewereyouborn?IfIsayMexicotheysayThen,youarenotU.S.,you areanaturalizedcitizen.Andthenmorequestions,Whereareyougoing,forhowlong, doyouownthiscar?Sometimestheysearchmycar. MyraMacPherson

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IV.DETENTION:ICECHILLSTEXAS a.)WhyDetentionHasIncreased TherehasbeenanastonishingincreaseinSouthTexasdetentioninthepast13yearsbecauseof severaldevelopments:the1996actwhichenforcedtoughdeportationmeasuresalongwith stringentapplicationofthisact;politicizedfearofterrorismfollowingtheSeptember11,2001 attacks;dramaticallyexpandedenforcementefforts,includingtheproliferationoflocallaw enforcementpartnerships;andtheexpansionofimmigrationdetentioncapacity,particularly contractfacilities,locatedinisolatedplacesintheTexasborderregion. The1996IllegalImmigrationReform andImmigrantResponsibilityAct (IIRAIRA)strippeddiscretionfrom immigrationjudgesinorderingthe deportationoflongtimelawful residentimmigrants,expandedthe listofcrimesleadingtodeportation andmassivelyexpandedthe categoriesofimmigrantssubjectto mandatorydetention.Butitwas BushsDepartmentofHomeland Security(DHS)thathammeredthis home. Photo credit: James Tourtellotte Today,thechillingacronym,ICEfor A U.S. Border Patrol agent investigates a potential landing area for illegal immigrants crossing the Rio Grande River in Texas. ImmigrationandCustoms Enforcement,isahouseholdwordto thosewholivealongtheborder.Createdin2003byDHS,ICEisresponsibleforoverseeingthe detentionofpersonschargedwithviolatingcivilimmigrationlaws.Therapidexpansionof authorityandfacilitiesenablesICEtodetainmorethan300,000individualsperyear.11Theyare incarceratedinover300privatelycontractedforprofitdetentioncenters,detentioncentersrun byICE,orlocaljails(viaIntergovernmentalServiceAgreements).12 IndependentstudiesandICEsownnumbersindicatethatenforcementeffortsintendedtotarget seriouscriminalshaveinsteadledtothedetentionanddeportationofimmigrantswithnocriminal history.AccordingtoICE,infiscalyears2007through2009,twothirdsofinitialbookinsof immigrantsawaitingremovalprocedureshadnocriminalconvictions.13AstudybytheMigration PolicyInstituterevealedthat73percentofthepeoplearrestedsinceearly2008inICEraidshadno criminalrecordsevenastheHomelandSecurityDepartmenttoutedthemascarefullyplanned dragnetsfordangerousimmigrantfugitives.14

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Another2009report,LocalDemocracyonICE,foundthatpolicearetargetingdaylaborers, streetvendors,peoplewhoaredrivingaroundwithbrokentaillightsnotdangerousillegal immigrants.ICEdeputizeslocalpoliceinvariousstatestoenforceU.S.immigrationlaws,butJudith GreeneofJusticeStrategies,aNewYorkbasednonprofitresearchorganization,saysithasfailedin itspromisetotargetillegalimmigrantswhoposeathreattopublicsafetyornationalsecurity. Meanwhileitiskeepingpoliceforcesfromhandlinglocalcrimeandcostingstatetaxpayers. TheObamaAdministrationhasrefusedtoendthemostcontroversialprogramthatinvolveslocal lawenforcementinenforcementofimmigrationlaws,knownasthe287(g)program,inspiteof pressurefromhundredsofcivilrightsandimmigrantsrightsadvocacyorganizations.Thenew administrationhascontinuedto expandlessvisibleprogramsthat incorporatelocallawenforcement intoimmigrationenforcement, includingtheCriminalAlienProgram (CAP),whichwasrecentlyfoundto encourageracialprofilingbylocal policeinastudyoftheprogramin Irving,TX,15andSecureCommunities. AccordingtorecentlyreleasedICE statistics,theCriminalAlienProgram isresponsibleforalmosthalfofthe immigrantarrestsnationwide.16 Photo credit: James Tourtellotte U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley process illegal immigrants Criminalprosecutionsofimmigration who attempted to enter the United States. violatorsbetween2003and2008 quadrupledto79,400throughprogramslikeOperationStreamline,whichfiledminorcharges againstvirtuallyallpeoplecrossingpartsoftheTexasandArizonaborders.CriticsarguethatDHS shouldtargetcriminalnetworksandemployerswhorelyonillegalworkers. Harshstandardshavebeenappliedretroactivelytolongtermimmigrantswhohavealreadyserved sentences(andinmanycaseswereneversubjecttojailtime).17Theresulthasbeendevastating. Insomecases,legalpermanentresidentsforover30yearswithminorcriminalrecordsfromtheir youtharenowsubjecttomandatorydeportationifdetected,despitethefactthattheyhave servedtheirsentences,and,inmanycasesnowhavehomes,families,wellpayingjobs,arelittle leaguebaseballcoachesandcommunityleaders.Theseindividualsareatriskoflosingeverything. Therepeateduseofthephrasecriminalaliensbycorporateexecutivesofforprofitprison companiesinfuriateslawyerswhodefenddetainees.ThedefinitionofCriminalAlienisany personnotbornintheU.S.orthatisaU.S.citizenthatatanytimeinhisorherlifewasconvicted foranycrime.Thatisacriminalalien.Acriminalaliencanbesomeonewho30yearsagowas convictedforshopliftingorfordrivingwhileintoxicated,saysJaimeDiez,anattorneywithJones andCraneLawFirminWeslaco,TX.Twopossessionsofacigaretteofmarijuanaisanaggravated felonyandyoucanbedeported.
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 Thedefinitionofwhoisacriminaltobedetainedescalatedwildlytoincludesuchnonviolentand oftenminoroffensesunderMichaelChertoffsallpowerfultenureasBushsdirectorofHomeland Security.But,saysDiez,Whenthepublichearsthewordcriminaltheythinkrapists,robbers, murderersanddrugtraffickers. Agoodnumberofthesepeoplewereconvictedofnonviolent Itisnotonlyfairfor crimesmanyyearsago,havepaidfortheirmistakesandtodayare them,itissurelynotfair responsiblecitizenswithfamiliesandsuddenlytheirpast forwhattheirfamily mistakescomebacktohauntthem,explainedDiez.Itisnot membershavetogo onlynotfairforthem,itissurelynotfairforwhattheirfamily throughwhiletheir membershavetogothroughwhiletheirfather,motherorloved father,motherorloved oneisdetained. oneisdetained. JaimeDiez,attorney Diezcitescasesregardingthreedetainees,allofwhomwerelegal permanentresidentsoftheUnitedStates. A56yearoldemployeeintheDallasmaintenancedepartmenthasbeenalegalresident for28yearsandraisedfourchildren,twoofwhomareservingintheUSmilitary,onein IraqandoneinJapan.In1999hewasseverelyinjured,breakingaleg,whilecuttingdown treesforthecityofDallas.Heresortedtosmallamountsofcocaineforhispain.Stopped bythepolice,hewassearchedandarrestedforcarryingasmallamountofcocainefor personaluse.Hepledguiltyandreturnedtohisjobandwasasteadyemployeeforthe next10years.LastyearhewenttoMexicotovisithismother.BecausehelookedMexican hewasstoppedonreturnandthedecadeoldcocainechargecameupinthedatabase. HehasbeeninWillacyfor10months.Hewillgetahearingonthe12thofMarchandI havenodoubtinmymindhewillgetawaiver.Heislegallyentitledtoit;apermanent residentwhohasnootherrecord,neverspentadayinprison,hasworkedforthesame employerforyears,alifelongtaxpayer,haschildrenintheservicetohiscountry.Buthe willprobablylosehisjob,hispension.Thisisalaborerwhocantstartoverathisage. MeanwhiletheGEOcorporationhasmademoneyforthe10monthsthattheyhavekept usfromhavingthatcriminaloutonthestreets. A27yearoldMexicancitizenbecameaLegalPermanentResident(LPR)whenthreeyears old.Alarmedatstoriesofrisingcrimefouryearsago,helegallypurchasedagunbuthadit inhiscar,whichwouldhavebeenlegalinTexasifheweregoingtoashootingrangeor hunting.Hewasconvictedofamisdemeanorandgiven180daysprobationwhichendedin thesummerof2005.Hehasnoothercriminalconviction. In2007hemarriedanotherLegalPermanentResident.Every10yearsyouhavetorenew yourcardifyouareapermanentresident.Whenheappliedlastfall,immigrationwouldnt sendthecardeventhoughhehadalreadyfinishedhisprobationtwoyearsago.Hewas subjecttomandatorydetentionorfacedeportment.Itwasclearhewasnotaflightrisk.
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Hiswifewas11weekspregnantandDiezaskedtheOfficeofDetentionandRemoval OperationsOfficethathisclientbereleasedwhilehiscasewasreviewedbecausehiswife hadalreadyhadthreemiscarriages.Diezproduceddoctorslettersattestingtothecritical needofherhusbandtobewithhertohelp,inordertoreducethelikelihoodoflosing theirchild.Diezprovidedcurrentproofofemployment,taxreturns,hismothers certificationofnaturalization,hisfathersLPRstatus.Afterseveralmonthsofredtapeand adenialbyICE,DiezsucceededingettinghisclientsreleaseinFebruary,2009anda cancellationofhisdeportation.Butallthetimeofhiswifespregnancyhewasin detention. Amotheroffourchildrenagreedwithherboyfriendtobuyacarandherboyfriendwrotea $2,000downpaymentwithacheckthatbounced.Thecarownerfiledacomplaintwith theD.A.whoarrestedheraswellfortheftbycheck.Shepaidhimbackbutstillwas convictedandgiventwoyearsprobation.Laterdetained,shewasdeportedforthat conviction.Diezsaidthatmanypooranduneducatedpeoplegetconvictedinsituations whereotherswithlegalhelpwouldnot.Shethoughtshehadthefundsandtrustedher boyfriend.Thensomeonelikehergoesthroughthesystemandistoldthatsheisluckyto getprobationandtojustsignhere.Now,becauseherchildrenarehereshewillprobably trytoreenterillegallyandifcaughtthatwillputherinprison.Meanwhilethechildrenwill nodoubtbecomewardsofthestate.18

b.)InhumaneLivingConditionsinDetentionCenters Althoughtheaveragedetentionstayis30days,tensof thousandsofimmigrantsaredetainedeachyearformonths Maggots in the food, rampant andabout2,100personsareheldformorethanayear.19 hunger, sexual assaults, and Morethanamillionindividualshaveatonepointbeenin medications withheld from the detentionfacilitiessinceICEwascreatedin2003.20Detainees seriouslyillforweeks,nodoctors includeasylumseekers,torturesurvivors,crimevictims,and ornursesonduty,exposedtoilets lawfulpermanentresidentswhohavecommittedminor and showers next to beds in crimes.Theyincludeprimarycaregivers,soleeconomic overcrowded dorms Thousands providers,andfamilyunits. ofpeoplehavebeensubjectedto this kind of treatment in Texas Conditionsindetentioncentershavebeenraisedasamajor borderdetentioncenters. concernbyadvocates,thepressandthenewadministration. Detaineesaredeniedmedicalcareandfaceseparationfrom family,friendsandeffectivelegalcounsel. ManyliveinfearofquickdeportationiftheyspeakouttoICEofficialsaboutdetentionconditions whichareinviolationofHumanRightsobligations,TheInternationalCovenantonCiviland PoliticalRights,ratifiedbytheUnitedStatesonJune8,1992andotherinternationalprovisions. Thiscovenantrequiresthatallpersonsdeprivedoftheirlibertyshallbetreatedwithhumanity andwithrespectfortheinherentdignityofthehumanperson.21
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Byratifyingthesedocuments,theU.S.notonlysetsforthhumanrightsobligationsbutitcreateda Stateobligationtoprotectsuchrightswhichapplytoimmigrantdetainees. ManyoftheseprovisionshavebeenviolatedbyallthreeTexascentersvisitedforthisreport: WillacyinRaymondville;PortIsabelServiceProcessingCenterinLosFresnos;SouthTexas DetentionComplexinPearsall.Thelackofmedicalandmentalhealthcareinthesefacilities illustratesawiderangeofserioushumanrightsviolationsthroughneglect,despitebothU.S.and humanrightslawmandatinghealthcareforthoseincarcerated.Medicalcareatallthreefacilities isdirectlyprovidedbytheDivisionofImmigrationHealthServices(DIHS).22Despitethe$360 millioninmedicaltreatmentthatICEhasspentbetween2003and2008throughoutthedetention systemincludingcomprehensivehealthscreeningandcaremanagement23seriouslapsesare reportedinthisstudy. Surroundedbyacresofutterdesolation,thescandalriddenWillacy Judgeswontgothere DetentionCenterinRaymondvilleloomsominouslywithhighbarbed [WillacyDetention wirefencing,sentries,notrespassingsigns,patrolcarsandlong Center]becauseofthe rowsoftentsthathold2,000detainees.Nearbyisanewlyopened rats. brickstructurehousinganother1,000,eagerlybuiltbythecompany JaimeDiez,attorney thatmakesmoneywitheachnewbedthatisfilled.Today,asthe mediareportsthesensationalMexicancartelrelatedmurders thereislittlefocusonthepeoplewhoaredetainedinthesecenters, whohavebrokennolawexcepttoentertheUnitedStates. Rampanthunger,sexualassaults,andmedicationswithheldfromtheseriouslyillforweeks,no doctorsornursesonduty,exposedtoiletsandshowersnexttobedsinovercrowdeddorms.Such horrorstoriesconjureuptheworstbedlamofmentalorpenalinstitutions.Thousandsofpeople havebeensubjectedtothiskindoftreatmentinTexasborderdetentioncenters. Detaineesexistdailyinroomswithminimalnaturallight.Theyaredeprivedofcontactwiththeir families.Facilitiesprohibitphysicalcontact,thoughdetaineesareroutinelysearchedfollowing visitation.AfemaledetaineeatPearsall,founditunbearabletoseeherU.S.citizenchildren throughtheglassdivisionandnotbeabletohugortouchthem.Igettoseemy[2]kidsand husbandthroughglassforonly30minutes,onlyonSaturday,detaineeGarciasaid.Thishaslead todeteriorationinhermentalhealth. AtWillacynicknamedRitmothewordtent,universallyusedtodescribethefacilities,isa misnomerforwhattheeyesees.Originallywhite,thesetenlowslungdomeshapedstructures, aboutthelengthofafootballfield,arenowaweathereddirtygrey.Windsweepsthroughthe center,rattlingthemetalchainsoftheUnitedStatesandTexasflagsagainsttheflagpoles.Inside thedomes,flappingofroofmaterialisamaddening,constantdrumbeattodailyexistence. Windowsinthedomesareplacedtoohightoseeout.Aboutthesizeofawindowairconditioning unit,thewindowsdoletinsomenaturallight.Detaineesandtheirlawyersreportahostof continuinghumanandcivilrightsabuses.Judgeswontgotherebecauseoftherats,saysJaime Diez,anattorneywhohashelpeddetainees.
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 Thesecondlargestprivate prisoncompany,GEOGroup, Inc.(formerlyWackenhut CorrectionsCorp.)includesin itsnationwideaxisofprisons theSouthTexasDetention CenterinPearsall,aswellas facilitieswithfederalcontracts inBexar,Webb,Karnes, Maverick,ValVerde,Reeves counties.GeorgeZoley, chairmanandCEOannounced inFebruary,2009,Weexpect our2009operatingrevenues tobebetween$1.01billion and$1.03billion.Aprimary Photo credit: Marc Mongenet driverforgrowthwasthe Men cross the Rio Grande River from Mexico to Big Bend National Park, TX. continuingescalationof personsdetainedbyICEfor possibledeportation.ZoleynotedthatCongressappropriated$1billionlastyearforanICE initiativeandoptimisticallypredictedthatthenewadministrationandCongresswouldcontinue tosupportfederalinitiativestotargetdetainedanddeportcriminalaliens.NewGEOdetention bedsarebeingprovidednationwideandZoleyprophesizedthatdetainingillegalalienswill increasinglybeseenasanationalimperativetoprotectU.S.workersandtheirjobs.24 ThetentsofWillacyareforebodingenoughviewedfromthekeepoutsignsandthebarbedwire butnooutsidercanimaginethedesperationofbeinghousedthere.Itisthelargestimmigration detentioncenterintheUnitedStates.Openedin2006,itisrunbytheUtahbasedforprofitprison company,Management&TrainingCorporation(MTC)whichgainednotorietywhenitsformer director,LaneMcCotter,wasappointedbyformerAttorneyGeneralJohnAshcrofttosetupU.S. operationsandtrainguardsatAbuGhraibprison.25 Countyofficialswereconvictedinakickbackschemeduringthistentcityconstructionand scandalscontinuedafteritsopeningwhenmediacoverageconsistentlyexposedabusive treatmentofdetainees.26In2008,therewasonlyonedentist,onestaffphysician,andonepart timepsychiatristforits2,000detainees.AsimplesearchontheDIHSwebsiteshowsthatfew medicalpersonnelwanttoworkthere.In2008,thefacilityhadbeenlackingaclinicaldirector, psychologist,dentist,staffphysician,pharmacist,pharmacytechnician,dentalassistant,medical recordstechnician,andvariousnursingpositionsforatleastayear.Thefacilitywasstillposting openingsforapsychologist,dentist,andvariousnursingpositionsinOctober2009,meaningthese positionshavenotbeenconsistentlyfilledforatleasttwoyears.27 Willacydetaineesremainisolatedfromtheworld.In2008,immigrationlawyerspracticinginthe LowerRioGrandeValleydidnotregularlyrepresentdetaineesatWillacyandthuswewereableto
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interviewonlythreecurrentdetaineesandonerecentlyreleaseddetainee,allofwhomaremale. In2009,BrotherAlbertPhillippofCameronCityreported,thereisabsolutelynoprivacyifyougo inthere;justacorneroftheroom,notevenlargeenoughforatable.Andthebathroomsareopen totheentireroom,whereyouaresleeping.28 Theonlyprivatepersonalspaceeachdetaineehasishisorherbed.Thebunksareinrows approximatelythreefeetapart.Fiftydetaineessharedfiveshowers,sinksandtoiletsandthree telephones.Waterentersthetentsfromunderneathwheneveritrainsand,thoughthetentsare purportedlyinsulated,inthewinterthereisnoheatinthefrigidtents.Detaineescomplainedthat thedormitorieswereincrediblycold,eveninthesummer(unlesstheairconditionerswerebroken whichledtoswelteringheat),forcingdetaineestohuddleunderblanketsontheirbunks.Afew detaineesmentionedfeelingthiswasanintentionalcontrolmechanism. Thelackofsanitationwasamajorconcern.Onedetaineereportedthattherewasnotenough handsoap,andthebathroomareawasconsistentlywet.Thelackofprivacyinthebathroomswas alsodistressing,withonlyahalfwall(recentlyconstructed)toseparatethetoiletareafromthe showers.Clothesarrivingfromlaundrywerereportedasconsistentlydamp.Detaineeswere requiredtoimmediatelyfoldandplacetheseitemsinthedrawersunderneaththebunk.One detaineespeculatedthataskinrashhedevelopedmightbeduetowearingdampormoldy clothes. Nearby,butbehindanothersetofgates,loomsanewerbrickstructurewheredetaineesare housedin20dormscontaining50bedseachandtwoceilingskylights.Therearenowindows. c.)LivinginDetention:HazardoustoYourHealth Thegeographicremotenessofthesefacilities,intentionallylocatedawayfrommajorpopulation centersandclosetothesouthernborder,hampersmedicalcare,makingitdifficulttorecruitand retainqualifiedmedicalstafforprovidespecializedservices.BothPortIsabelandWillacyaremore than230milesfromthenearestmajorcity,SanAntonio,andevenPearsallisanhourawaybycar. ThePortIsabelServiceProcessingCenter,knownasPortIsabelandBayview,islocatedinasmall town,populationslightlymorethan5,000.Onanygivenday,PortIsabelhousesapproximately 1,200detainees(900malesand300females)infourseparatebuildings.WhenwevisitedinMay 2008,thefacilitywasnearcapacity.Whiletouringitsmedicalfacilities,theACLUstaffwas informedthatapproximately40percentofthemedicalpositionswerevacant.Therewasone staffphysicianfor1200detainees.Thesecondstaffphysicianpositionhadbeenvacantformore than14months. Thethirdfacility,theSouthTexasDetentionComplexinPearsall,Texas,wasthecountryslargest detentioncenterfacilitywhenitopenedin2005,accommodating1,000ICEdetainees.29Thefor profitfacility,runbyGEOGroup,Inc.,30continuedtoaddnewdetentionbedsandcannowhold 1904detainees.Atthisfacilitydesignatedtoprovidecareformorecomplicatedandchronic medicalandmentalhealthconditionsabusewaswidespread,includinglackofadequatemedical
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care.AtthetimeoftheACLUvisit,thefacilityhadnodentist,nostaffphysician,noHealthService Administrator,minimalnursingsupport,neitherapsychiatristnorapsychologistonsite.Onlyhalf ofthemedicalstaffingpositionswerefilledandonlyoneregisterednurseandtwolicensed vocationalnursesremainedondutyeachnight.AsofOctober2009,thefacilityhadjobopenings forapsychologist,psychiatrist,dentist,seniorstaffnurseandstaffnurse.31 Thisfacilityheldalargeproportionofgayandtransgenderdetainees,manywithHIV,whofaced hostilediscriminationfrombothguardsandotherdetainees.Initiallyallgay/transgender detaineeswereplacedinasegregatedunittoavoidproblems.Manydetaineeslivewith nightmaresoftorture,violenceand/orsexualassaultthathappenedpriortoincarceration. Deterioratingmentalhealth,aseriousriskindetention,isexacerbatedbysegregation.OneHIV positivedetainee,alreadysufferingfromdepressionafterwitnessingthedeathofanother detaineeatthenowclosedSanPedrofacility,wassegregatedfromthepopulationfornospecified reason.Hisdepressionincreasedandhewasnotgivenmedicationspreviouslyprescribedto stabilizethedepression.Duetotheremotenessofthefacilities,fewerdetaineeshadaccessto legalcounselwhocouldadvocateforneededmedicalandmentalhealthcare.

MANGOINGBLINDFROMLACKOFMEDICALCARE In May 2007, Mr. Gonzalez was detained at the Santa Ana detention facility in California, wherehefellandseriouslyinjuredhisshoulder.Whenhesawmedicalstaffatthefacility,he was given medication for the pain. Several days later, when he was unable to move as a result of the fall, he was transferred to the San Pedro Service Processing Center. He was taken to an offsite hospital, where he received an MRI and was told that he would need surgery. Before he could receive surgery, he would need DIHS approval. Mr. Gonzalez was then transferred to the El Centro Service Processing Center. While at El Centro SPC, Mr. Gonzalez developed a serious eye infection that resulted in itching and pus. He was transferredback to San Pedro toreceive treatment, but the onsite physician did not have theappropriateequipmenttocheckMr.Gonzalezseyes.Mr.Gonzalezwassenttohavehis eyesexamined,andhewastoldhehadnervedamage.Hewasprescribedeyedrops.Mr. Gonzalez was then transferred to the STDC inPearsall, Texas, wherehe arrivedwith three medications: prescription eye drops, Tylenol, and medication for his recentlydiagnosed diabetes. During intake, Mr. Gonzalez was given only Tylenol, but did not receive his eye dropsuntil15daysafterhisarrivalanddidnotreceivehisdiabetesmedicationuntil30days afterhisarrival.AtthetimeACLUstaffmembersvisitedSTDCinMarch,Mr.Gonzalezwas wearingdarkglassestoprotecthiseyesfromlightandhadaverydifficulttimekeepinghis eyesopenwithouthisglasses.InalettertotheACLUfromMr.Gonzalez,heexplainsthathe isgoingblind,andthathisrequestsformedicalattentionhaveyieldednoadditionalcare.

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d.)WomenUnderserved,atRiskofSexualAssaults Becausetheyarenotallowedintheclinicatthesametimeasmaledetainees,whocomprisethe majoritydetaineepopulation,manywomenarenotevenseenbymedicalpersonnel.Although femaledetaineespresentspecialmedicalneeds,includingtheneedforprenatalcare,therewas usuallyonlyonemedicalstaffpersonwithspecializationinobstetricsandgynecology.According toalocaladvocate,womenexamsarenotgivenacrosstheboard.Also,themedicalpersonnel donotperformaprescreeningforpapsmears.InPearsall,apapsmearisonlyperformedaftera womanhasbeeninthefacilityforatleastayear.Duetotherelativelysmallnumberofwomen interviewedforthisreport,womenshealthcareisanareathatneedsadditionalinvestigation. Moreinformationaboutconditions,particularlyforwomen,hasrecentlycometolight.Kathleen Baldoni,aformernurseattheWillacydetentionfacility,testifiedataCapitolHillBriefingonJune 24,2009,aboutthelackofadequatehealthcareservicesandresultinghumansufferingatWillacy. Sheworkedthereonatemporaryassignmentforsixmonthsstartingattheendof2008."Thelevel ofhumansufferingwasjustunbelievable,"testifiedBaldoni,"Therewasinadequatefoodand personalitemspersonalhygienewasaproblemaswasaccesstomedicalcare.32Shealso notedthatwomenthereareoftensubjectedtoextremetemperatures,inadequatenutrition, medicalstaffingshortages,andlongdelaysforcriticallyneededhealthcare.Baldonihaddecided toendhercontractthreeweeksearly,butwassubsequentlyfiredbythehealthservices administratorbecauseofherdecisiontospeakpubliclyabouttheconditionsatthefacility.33 Recentdevelopmentshaveprovidedsomereliefforwomenprisoners.InSeptember,ICE convertedtheT.DonHuttoFamilyResidentialFacilityinTaylor(nearAustin),intoafacilityfor adultwomen.AllfamilieswerereleasedSept.17.PortionsofthefemalepopulationsfromWillacy andPearsall,arebeingconsolidatedatHutto,hopefullyallowingbetterdevelopmentand monitoringofprogramsforthespecialneedsofwomendetainees. e.)IneffectiveMonitoringofHIVandAIDSPatients MedicalcrisesatPearsallareexacerbatedfordetaineeswithHIVandAIDSwhichrequireregular testingandclosemonitoring.Theshortageofmedicalpersonneltohandlethislargepopulation, corroboratedbytestimonyofdetainees,raisesmajorquestionsaboutthecapacityofthefacility tomonitorTCellcountsandviralload. CarlosDuchesne,DivisionofImmigrationHealthServices(DIHS)topspecialistoninfectious diseases,statesthatlabsforAIDSpatientsmustbeperformedASAPtoknowtheirimmune statusandwhereyouarestandinginreferencetodiseasecontrolandmeds.SomeHIV+ detaineesstatedthattheyweretakentoaclinicinSanAntoniotoreceiveacheckupontheirviral loadandTcellcountsbutotherswerenot.Thosesentoffsitestatedthattheywerenotmade awareoftheresultsoftheirmedicaltests.Wheninterviewed,medicalpersonnelatPearsallwere unsureabouthowoftendetaineesaresenttotheclinicforspecialtycare.Althoughdetainees frequentlyremainatPearsallforseveralmonths,medicalpersonnelneglectedtokeeptrackof scheduledfollowupappointmentsmadewiththeoutsideclinicalfacility.
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f.)UseofQuarantineQuestioned Advocatesquestionedthefrequentpostingofquarantinesforoutbreaksofchickenpox,asmeans topreventdetaineesfrommeetingwiththeirlegaladvocatesorattendingtimelycourthearings. InbothMarchandMay2008,PearsallandWillacypostedwarningsignsindicatingthatthe facilitieshadongoingoutbreaksofchickenpox.Despitethequarantinepostingsthatprevented advocatesfrommeetingwiththeirclients,staffanddetaineesappearedtofreelymoveinandout ofquarantinedpods.34 g.)DenialofMentalHealthcare,InappropriatePunishment AlthoughICEstatesthatitprovides31,697typesof psychologicalservicesand/orpatientcontactthat WOMANNOTGIVENHIVMEDICATION impactdetaineesinapositivemanner,35veryfewof FORDAYS thedetaineesinterviewedhadknowledgeabout Ms. D.2. is an HIVpositive, transgender mentalhealthservicesprovidedbytheirfacilities. woman who was transferred to the Detaineeswithselfidentifiedmentalhealth Pearsall from the San Pedro Service concernshaddifficultyobtainingneeded Processing Center. After her transfer, she medications,lackedcontinuityofcarefollowing did not receive her HIV medications for transfers,andhadmedicationsarbitrarilychanged, approximately eight days. In early 2008 reduced,orstoppedaltogether.Legaladvocates identifiedtheoverallratioofmentalhealthcarestaff she stopped taking her medications because of harsh side effects, including todetaineesasinadequate.Whilesomespecific caseshavecometotheattentionofadvocates,there diarrhea and inability to eat or keep any food in her stomach. Despite submitting isanalarminggapininformationregardingthe several requests to have her medication treatmentofdetaineeswithmentalhealthconcerns modified,shehasreceivedlittleattention throughoutimmigrationdetentionfacilities. bythemedicalstaff. Pearsall,thefacilitywhereindividualswithserious mentalhealthconditionsareoftensent,displayed suchdeprivationofcareandpunishmentofmentallyilldetaineesthatinJune2007,theChiefof PsychiatryforDIHSidentifiedacrisisinthementalhealthcareat[Pearsall.,Morethan140 patientsawaitedchartreviewbythefacilitysclinicaldirector,whoappearedtoberefusingto providementalhealthcareentirely.36ForthosedetaineesinPearsallluckyenoughtoseeamental healthcareprovider,theywereunabletogetneededmedicationbecausetheclinicaldirector wouldnotwriterecommendedprescriptionsandignoredtherecommendationsofthemental healthspecialist. SeveraldetaineesatPearsallreferredtobeingroutinelyplacedinthehole,confinedifthey displayedmentalhealthsymptoms.Isolationfrequentlyexacerbatesmentalillnessandleadstoa deteriorationofadetaineesgeneralhealth.Mentallyilldetaineeshousedinthegeneral populationarepunishedfrequentlyfortheirinabilitytositstillduringcountorintheirbedsat night.Detaineeswithmentalillnessesoftenyelledandwereconfused,whichwastakenas aggressionbytheguards,thoughotherdetaineesrecognizedthisasamanifestationofmental
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illness.Detaineesnoticedfellowdetaineeswithsignsofseriousmentalhealthdeteriorationbeing givenBenadrylasasedative. Legaladvocatesreportmedicationbeingalteredpriortocourthearingstomasksymptomsof mentalillnessandcreatetheappearanceofcompetency.Intherarecaseswheredetaineescases wereclosedduetoincompetencetoproceedincourt,theseindividualsfrequentlycontinuetobe detainedwithoutpropermentalhealthcarebecausenopropertreatmentfacilitywasavailablefor transfer. Oneexamplerecordedin2007:AlongtermpermanentresidentwasdetainedattheSouthTexas DetentionComplexinPearsall,Texas,afteryearsofmentalhealthcareinhiscommunity.Hewas diagnosedwithschizophreniaandbeforehewasdetainedhereceivedtreatmentforabout12 yearsattheVAhospitalandastatehospital.Hewassubjecttomandatorydetentionbuthad appliedforrelief. WhileatPearsall,hismedicationwaschangedandhewasrepeatedlyputinisolation.The physiciantreatingpatientsatPearsalldecidedthatthemanwaspretendingtobeilltogainan immigrationbenefit,andafterhewasgrantedreliefundertheConventionAgainstTorture,the DepartmentofHomelandSecuritycontinuedtoholdhimonthebeliefthathewasfeigninga mentalillness.WhenhewasreleasedhiswifetookhimtotheVAwhereheremainedasan inpatientforabout6weeksbeforehewasbackontrackwithhismedication.37 h.)Hunger,SpoiledandInsectInfestedFood Throughouttoursandvisitsofthefacilities,detaineesexpressedseriousconcernswiththe quantityoffoodprovided,thenutritionalcontent,andthesanitationoftraysandeatingutensils. Detaineesstatedthatthefoodwasoftencold,greasyandlackinganyfruitorvegetables.Several detaineesreportedlyinginordertoreceivehealthierspecialmeals.Detaineesalsoreportedthat therewasneverenoughfood,andthatpeopleoftenfoughtoverfood.Thosewithmoneyto purchasefromthecommissarysupplementedtheirmealswithRamennoodles,chips,orother formsofjunkfood.Thosewithoutresourceswenthungry.Fightsbrokeoutoveruseof microwavesatPearsall,asdetaineeswaitedinlinetoheatsoup. Although direct reports from detainees are limited, Willacy has a history of serving inedible, spoiled food. In 2007, extensive media coverage exposed Willacys serving of rancid and spoiledfoodtodetainees,whoreportedinsectsandmaggotsintheirmeals.InaFebruary23, 2007radiointerview,JodiGoodwin,alocalattorney,statedthatinNovember2006shevisited Willacyandwhen[I]openedthedoorandsaidBuenosdias.Comoestantodos?Andthey respondedtome,MuriendodehambreWeredyingofhunger.And,youknow,thisisjust theirimmediatereactiontosomeonecominginandasking,Howareyou?

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Detaineesstatedthatspecialdietsformedicalandreligiouspurposesareinconsistentlyrespected. Somedetaineesreportednotreceivingadietappropriatetotheirhealthand/orreligiousneeds. DetaineeshavebeentoldthatKosherorHalaalfoodistooexpensive. AtPortIsabelinLosFresnos,Texasdetaineesareallowedoutsideacoupleofhourseachday,in arecreationareaabouthalfthesizeofabasketballcourt.Duringoffhours,thedoorleadingtothe recreationarearemainslocked.AtthetimeofthefirstACLUvisit,theonewashingmachinefor75 peoplewasmissing.Nexttothebeds,anareawassectionedoffareafortoilets,sinksand showers,butprovidednoprivacy.However,duringourtour,theareawascoveredwithsheetsto createatemporarysemblanceofprivacy. AtPearsallsSouthTexasDetentionComplexallofthehousingunitsareoffofanarrow1,300foot longhallway,withthewomenswingononesideandthemenswingontheother.Thehousing unitviewedbytheACLUwasapodwithcapacityfor100detainees.Unliketheotherfacilities toured,toiletswereseparatedbysmallpartitionsthatgavedetaineessomesenseofprivacy. Thereweretwotelevisionsetsintheroomandtwomicrowaves.UnlikethepodsinWillacysbrick building,theGEOofficersatnearthedoorlookingoutontotheentireroom.Atthefarendofthe roomtherewereseveralbanksofphonesandadoortotherecreationyard,ahighwalled prisonlikearea. i.)InconsistentAccesstoReligiousMaterialsandServices Althoughfacilitypersonnelclaimdetaineeshaveadequateaccesstoreligiousservicesand materials,detaineesinallthreefacilitiesstatedthataccesstoreligiousserviceswaslimitedand problematic.NondenominationalchaplainsoncontractwithICEDROallowrepresentativesfrom differentfaithgroupstocomeintothefacilityandperformservices.ButinPortIsabelasaresult ofthelossofanImam,Muslimservicesareoftencanceled.InMarch2008,adetaineereported thatMuslimshadbeenwithoutservicesfortwoweeks.Detaineesalsoexpressedconcernthat someoftheMuslimserviceswerebeingvideotaped.Thefacilitydeniedthisreport. DetaineesoffaithsotherthanChristianorCatholicmustfilloutspecialrequeststoretainreligious materialssuchasprayerrugsandprayerbeads,whilerosariesareallowedwithoutspecial documentation.ThreetransgenderorgayinmateswhoweresegregatedatPearsallare additionallyprohibitedfromattendingreligiousserviceswiththegeneralmalepopulation. Instead,theyareonlypermittedtoattendwiththefemalepopulation.Boththemenandthe womenfeltuncomfortableduringtheseservicesandasaresultthesegregateddetaineesno longerattendreligiousservicesofanykind. j.)VisitationLimited,LawLibrariesandTelephoneAccessInsufficient Thetraditionalvisitationrightsofmaintainingfamilyconnectionsandenablingdetaineesto receivehelpfromrelativesandfriendswiththeirlegalcaseisoftenmissing.Alargepopulationof detainees,transferredfromasfarawayasCalifornia,Florida,NewYorkandNewJersey,are deprivedofvisitingfamilyandfriendswhocannotaffordthetimeormoneytotravel.Long
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distancetransfersalsolimitorpreventdetaineeaccesstodocumentsandotherevidence, witnesses,andlegalserviceproviders. Womenaresodiscriminatedagainstthataccesstolawlibrariesinallfacilitieswasseverely impaired;theyonlyhaveaccessononespecificdayoftheweek.Limitedslotsforusingthelaw libraryfailtoaccommodateallthefemaledetaineesrequestingaccess.Inmostinstances, immigrationdetaineeshavenorighttoappointedcounselandthreequartersofthemrepresent themselves.Unlikesuspectschargedincriminalcourts,detaineesaccusedofimmigration violationsdonothavearighttoanattorney,andthreequartersofthemrepresentthemselves. EventhosewithclaimstoU.S.citizenshipfrequentlymaneuverontheirownthrougha complicatedsystem.

Thosewhocannotaffordtopayforcounselhavetwo options:eitherrepresentthemselves(prose)or,inlimited circumstances,obtaintheservicesofafree(probono) attorney.AccordingtoExecutiveOfficeforImmigration Review(EOIR)theDepartmentofJusticeagencythatruns thenationsimmigrationcourtsbetweenOctober1,2006, andSeptember30,2007,approximately84percentof detainedrespondentswithcompletedimmigrationcourt proceedingslackedrepresentation.38

Immigration detainees have no right to appointed counsel andthreequartersofthemor morerepresentthemselves.

Duetothelargenumberofprosecases,accesstothelawlibrariesisveryimportant.Important pagesoflegalmaterialsarereportedlyrippedout,andlegalsoftwareandprogramsonthe computershavebeenremovedatsomefacilities. Detaineesfrequentlywaitlongperiodstomakeacallbecauseofalackofphones.Tollfree numberscannotbeaccessedconsistently,includingnumbersforfreelegalassistanceandreferral, theEOIRhotline,andnumberstofileformalgrievances.Allcallsmadefromthephonesinthe dormitoriesarerecorded,includingprivilegedcommunicationswithattorneys.

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V.LIVINGINANOCCUPIEDZONE (AlsoseeappendedACLUofTexasreportOperationBorderStar:WastedMillionsandMissed Opportunities) a.)LawEnforcementAuthorityintheBorderlands TheresidentsoftheU.SMexicoborderdeserveaccountablelawenforcementfromthe DepartmentofHomelandSecurityagenciesthatnowrepresentthelargestpolicingpresencein manybordercommunities:U.S.BorderPatrol,CustomsandBorderProtectionandImmigration andCustomsEnforcement.U.S.BorderPatrolalonehasover20,000agents,approximately18,000 ofwhomarestationedontheU.S.Mexicoborderatanyonetime. Between2005and2009U.S.BorderPatrolalmostdoubledinsize,adding9,000newagent positions.Toachievethis,theagencystoppedrequiringahighschooldiplomaorGEDasa qualificationforrecruitsanddrasticallyshortenedthetraining.ByOctober2008,halfoftheagents inthefieldhadbeenonthejoblessthantwoyears. Thisrapidexpansionwascriticized bytheheadoftheBorderPatrol union,whoexpressedconcerns aboutthequalityofnewrecruits andthelongtermimpactonthe force.Lessqualified,undertrained andgreenagentsareeasierto corrupt.Theseagentsarealsoless likelytoknowandfollow departmentrulesandtheir conductismorelikelytoleadto civilrightsviolations. WhileBorderPatrolhasbeen grantedbroadsearchauthority Photo credit: James Tourtellotte U.S. Border Patrol agents patrol the Rio Grande River in Texas. underU.S.lawwithin100milesof theactualborder,racialprofilingis expresslyprohibitedasareviolationsofFourthAmendmentrighttobefreefromunreasonable searchesandseizures.BorderPatrolagentsarenotlegallypermittedtorelysolelyonthefactthat thedriverorpassengersofavehicleappeartobeofMexicandescent.39SupremeCourtdecisions haveleftplentyofwiggleroomforthepolicebyprovidingalistofcircumstancesthatcould constitutereasonablesuspicionforavehiclestop.Itincluded,butwasnotlimitedto:vehicle proximitytotheborder,driverbehavior,sizeofthevehicle,numberofpassengers,andeventhe modeofdressandhaircuttypicalofindividualsfromforeigncountries.40

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TheselegalloopholesmeanarbitraryBorderPatrolstopsalongtheborderareacommonfactof life.Locallawenforcementagenciesengageinthisprofilingtoo,particularlywhenthey participateinimmigrationenforcement. LocallawenforcementlacktheauthorityunderTexaslawtomakearrestsformostimmigration violations.Theyshouldnotbeengagedinstoppingorarrestingindividualsformostimmigration relatedviolationsoflaw.BeingintheUnitedStateswithoutpermissiondoesnotconstitutea crimeperse;itisacivilviolationoffederalimmigrationlaw. Thereisahugegapbetweenthelawanddailyreality.Locallawenforcementareknowntopull overvehiclesandifthedriverorpassengersspeakonlySpanishoraredressedMexican,the officercallsBorderPatrol.Beforetheofficerhasfinishedwritingatrafficcitationforspeedingor notwearingaseatbelt,BorderPatrolhasarrivedandstartedinterrogatingthepassengersabout theirimmigrationstatus.ThiscollaborationbetweenlocallawenforcementandBorderPatrol leadstoalackoftrustbetweenlocalcommunitiesandthepoliceandsheriffsdepartmentssworn toprotectthem. Tensofmillionsofstateandfederaldollarshavegoneto locallawenforcementinthevalleyforborder Local law enforcement are known 41 to pull over vehicles and if the enforcementoverthepastfouryears. Becauseofthe driver or passengers speak only lackoftraining,standardsandguidanceinhowtouse Spanish or are dressed Mexican, theseresources,somedepartmentshaveusedthe fundingtoharasslocalresidentswithincreasedtraffic theofficercallsBorderPatrol. stops,vehiclesearches,andunlawfulimmigration enforcementactivities.42 Borderresidentswanttobeprotectedandpolicecivilianrelationshavebeenunderminedby increasedlawenforcementpresencewithoutimprovedtrainingandcommunicationbetween residentsandlawenforcement. b.)HumanRightsPrinciples UseofLatinoappearanceasaproxyforimmigrationstatusviolatesseveralinternationaland nationalhumanrightslaws:theInternationalConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofRacial Discrimination,theFifthAmendmentoftheUnitedStatesConstitution,theInternationalCovenant onCivilandPoliticalRights,andtheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights.
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VI.LIVINGWITHTHEBORDERWALL a.)Economicinequityandpropertyrightsviolationsthreatenawayoflife TheBorderWallalongtheLowerRioGrandeborderbetweenTexasandMexicoisataleof propertyseizure,costoverruns,possiblecorruptionanddiscriminationagainstordinarypeople. Inthenameofhomelandsecurity,centuriesof ownership,communityspiritandpublicplacesarebeing tornapart.Herearesomereallifetalesinthepathof theBorderWall. LastFebruary,DanielGarzastoodinhisyard,alush gardenofgreenbushesandscarletflowers.Hepeered througharisingveilofgreydustashugetrucksand bulldozersrolledpastonunpavedroads.Instrong windsmytreesarecoatedwhite,hesaid,pointingtoa rowoftreesalongsidethechurningdirt.Thenoiseof thetrucksawakenedhimat6a.m.todayasmostdays. Theconstantgrindingnoisesdoesntstopuntilwellafter dark. Garzawatchedthefranticpushtofinishaplanned20 mileborderleveewallinHidalgoCounty,pricedata staggering$12millionamile,farmoreexpensivethan Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons Man climbs the border wall near Brownsville, TX earliergovernmentestimatesof$4millionpermile. ItcouldhavebeenworseforGarza.Amuchpublicizedprotestalongwithcompromisesby communityadvocatesandDepartmentofHomelandSecurityofficials,stoppedthewallfrom rippingthroughhisneatbrickhome.GarzaslandbumpsupagainsttheborderofGranjeno,a blinkandyouvemisseditenclaveoflessthan400people.Atthetime,allbutfourmilesofthis stretchthatcombinesreconstructionofanexistingleveeandawallhavebeencompleted. Tohim,federalnomenclaturelikefenceandtacticalinfrastructurearemildeuphemisms.In someareas,opponentsoftheBorderWallsaythesolidconcretebarriermoreresemblesthe BerlinWall.Meanwhile,thewallcontinuestorise.TheObamaAdministrationhashonoredthe previousadministrationscommitmenttocompletetheBorderWall. Garza,abronzed76yearoldformermigrantfarmandcanneryworkerlookshealthierthanheis ashegreetsunannouncedvisitorswithastronghandshake,wearingapalebluestarched guayaberaandagoldweddingband.Mr.Garzasillwifeisinside.Retiredwithadisability,Garza hascoloncancerandhashadopenheartsurgery,buthisfiercefightforhislandremainsstrong. Wemadealotofnoise,Garzasayswithasmile.Ihadalotofhelp,peoplelikeTexasRio GrandeLegalAid.43Whenhisfightfirstbeganmorethanayearago,Garzaremarkedonthe
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Photo credit: James Tourtellotte U.S. Border Patrol agents patrol the Rio Grande River

selectiveplanforconfiscatinglandfor theborderwallandpointedtothe horizon.Allofthatlandoverthereis ownedbytheHunts,Dallasbillionaire RayL.Huntandhisrelatives,oneofthe wealthiestoilandgasdynastiesinthe world.Thewalldoesntgothere.44 Moneytalksandwedonthaveit,he said. LikeseveralothersinGranjeno,Garza isadescendantofpioneerfamilieswho weregrantedlandintheRioGrande ValleybyKingCarlosofSpainin1767. Hisancestorsareburiedinthewell kepttowncemetery.

Myfathertoldmenever,neversellthisplace.Keepitbeautiful. b.)DestructionofSacredSpace:ViolationofCultural&ReligiousFreedoms Borderwallconstructiondirectlythreatenstheculturalandreligiousfreedomsforindigenous tribesaswellasforthelandownerswhoseculturaltiestothelandaredeeplyrooted. Whilethemediaandpoliticianssensationalizetheborderasalawlessoutpostteamingwithdrug cartelsmugglersandterrorists,tothe6millionresidentsoftheborderlands,theborderisnota warzone.Itistheheartoftheirhistory,thebirthplaceofahybridculture,itishomewherethey andtheirchildrenhavelivedpeacefully.Strugglestoevadethefencearenotmerelyaboutthe righttopropertyandjustcompensation,theyareaboutculturalsurvivalandrootswhichresidents claimcannotbereplacedwithamonetaryvalue.AsEloisaTamezstates,Wetalkaboutextinct species.Weareabouttobecomeanextinctculture.45 SuchculturallossismatchedbyanattackonthereligiousrightsoffirstnationspeoplesinSouth Texas.WhenformerDepartmentofHomelandSecurity(DHS)SecretaryMichaelChertoffcallously waivedlawsthatprotectindigenousreligiousrights,sacredburiallandandcustomswereviolated. Theselawsinclude:TheNativeAmericanGravesProtectionAct(NAGPRA),46whichrequires federalofficialstoconsultwithtribespriortotakinganyactionwhichcoulddisruptburialsites; TheAmericanIndianReligiousFreedomAct(AIRFA),47whichensuresaccesstoreligioussitesand requiresconsultationbetweenthegovernmentandtribalofficialstodetermineappropriate procedurestoprotectaccessandotherreligiousrights;48theReligiousFreedomRestoration Act,49whichordersstrictscrutinybeappliedwhenaviolationoftheFreeExerciseClauseofthe FirstAmendmentiscommittedbyafederalactor.50WaivingsuchlawsnotonlythreatensU.S. firstamendmentrights,severalInternationalConventionsarealsojeopardized.51
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Giventhecostandrightsviolations,theBorderWallisseriousbusiness.Stillsomesituationsare absurd. ItisalongandlonelydrivethroughflatlandtoBrownsville,some68milesawayfromGranjeno. There,onTheUniversityofTexasatBrownsvilleandTexasSouthmostCollege(UTB/TSC)sitsone ofthemorecuriousborderwallconcoctions,awallgoingfromnowheretonowhereandless thanamilelong.Thoughhardtoclimbover,itiseasyenoughtowalkaround. Whenthedesignfortheplanned borderwallthreatenedtobisectthe campus,monthsoflegalbattles ensued.OnJuly31st,2008,DHSand theuniversityreachedanagreement whichendedallcondemnationand courtproceedings.Thecompromise includedrepairingandheighteningan existingfenceandledtoabizarre structureonaportionofUTcampus atopahilloverlookingaplayingfield equippedwithlightsfornightgames. Photo credit: Gerald L. Nino A U.S. Border Patrol bicycle unit on patrol in McAllen, TX Wirefencingisinsertedbetween whiteconcretepillars,setseveralfeet apart.Itislessthanamilelong. SlimdarkhairedElizabethGarciaoftheCoalitionofAmigosinSolidarity&Action(CASA)stands withherbacktothefinalpillarwherethewallends.Shestretchesherarmsoutwide,asifdoing calisthenics.Itstopsnothing.HereisonearminMexicoandonearmintheUnitedStates!The RioGrandeRivercannotbeseenfromhere;theviewfromthewalloffersaviewofabaseball practicefield.Theoriginaldesignwouldhaveleftcampusbuildingsononesideofthewallandthis fieldareaontheother.Ifyouwantedtocometoabaseballgameandhadnopassportwithyou, youcouldntgo,shesaid. GarciaoncelivedinArizonawheretheBorderWallwasinmybackyard.Themilitarizationofthe wallwasterrible;agentsontheground,lowflyinghelicopters,checkpointsallovertheplace, constantscrutinybysheriffsandpoliceman.Iwasdepressedeveryday.Ifthewallherecontinues itwillbedevastatingforourchildren. LikesomanyintheRioGrandeValley,Garzaseesthewallasasenselessboondoggle,tearing throughtheirland,costingtaxpayersbillionswhileenrichingcompanieslikeBoeingCorp.and failingtostopdrugcartelsandtraffickers.AsofAugust2008,Boeing,theleadcontractorinthe BorderWallconstruction,hadbeenawarded$993milliononitsthreeyearcontract,accordingto theGovernmentAccountingOffice.52Thewallwasneverintendedtocoverthe1,969milesof bordersoitwillhavehugegapsbetweenfencedsegments.(MelissaDelBosqueoftheTexas Observernotesthattherewillbeabout21differentsegmentsoffencebuiltalongtheTexas
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Mexicobordersomeunderamilelong,someaslongas13miles.53)AsGarzahasnoted,where thefencestopsdotheyreallythinkpeoplewontgoaround?ScottNicoloftheNoBorderWall coalitionsayseventheBorderPatrolestimatesthatthewallwouldmerelyslowsomeonedown byonlyfiveminutes.Allofthisforslowingdown?54

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Dr.DoraSchriro,ImmigrationandDetentionOverviewandRecommendations,ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement, HomelandSecurity,October6,2009.Thereportskeyrecommendationsare: ICEshouldestablishasystemofImmigrationDetentionwiththerequisitemanagementtoolsandinformationalsystemsto detainandsupervisealiensinasettingconsistentwithassessedrisk.ICEshouldprovideprogramstothedetained populationcommensuratewithassessedneedandcreatecapacitywithintheorganizationtoassessandimprovedetention operations. Incoordinationwithstakeholders,ICEshoulddevelopanewsetofstandards,assessments,andclassificationtoolstoinform care,custodyrestrictions,privileges,programs,anddeliveryofservicesconsistentwithrisklevelandmedicalneedsofthe population.ICEshouldexpandaccesstolegalmaterialsandcounsel,visitation,religiouspractice.ICEshouldalsodevelop uniqueprovisionsforservingspecialpopulationssuchaswomen,families,andasylumseekers. ICEshouldestablishawellmanagedmedicalcaresystem,withcomprehensiveinitialassessmentstoinformhousing assignmentsandongoingcaremanagement.ICEshouldestablishclearstandardsofcarefordetaineesandmonitor conditionssystematically. ICEshouldprovidefederaloversightofkeydetentionoperationsandtrackperformanceandoutcomes.Itshouldplace expertfederalofficialsonsitetooverseedetentionoperations,tointercedeasnecessary,andtoensurethatthereare appropriategrievanceanddisciplinaryprocesses. 2 CBSNews,BorderFencetoCost$6.5billionOver20Years.September17,2009, http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/17/national/main5317298.shtml 3 MariaAvila,ValleyHasHighestUnemploymentRatesinTexas,KGBTTV,October17,2008, http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=364363(accessedNovember19,2009). 4 TexasPolitics,PovertyinTexas,http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/12_2_0.html(accessedNovember9,2009). 5 Castanedav.Partida,430U.S.482(5thCir.1977). 6 Bernalv.Fainter,467U.S.216(1984). 7 UnitedStatesv.BrignoniPonce,422U.S.873(1975). 8 RioGrandeGuardian,LUPE:LaJoyapoliceneedtosticktopolicing,notimmigrationmatters,May11,2008, http://www.lupenet.org/new_site/_board.php/?b_code=news&b_no=85&c=view&page=2 9 Id. 10 Rev.PabloMatta,andPamelaVaughn.Sheriffalterspoliciesoncheckpoints,ElPasoTimes,May112008. 11 TheBusinessofDetention,Profits,http://businessofdetention.com/profits.php 12 Dr.DoraSchriro,ImmigrationandDetentionOverviewandRecommendations,ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement, HomelandSecurity,October6,2009,page6. 13 Dr.DoraSchriro,ImmigrationandDetentionOverviewandRecommendations,ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement, HomelandSecurity,October6,2009,page12. 14 MargotMendelson,ShaynaStrom,andMichaelWishnie,CollateralDamage:AnExaminationofICEsFugitiveOperations Program,MigrationPolicyInstitute,February2009,http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/NFOP_Feb09.pdf 15 TrevorGardnerIIandAartiKohli.(September2009).TheCAPEffect:RacialProfilingintheICECriminalAlienProgram.Chief JusticeEarlWarrenInstituteonRace,EthnicityandDiversity(WarrenInstitute)atUCBerkeleySchoolofLaw(BerkeleyLaw). Accessibleathttp://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/policybrief_irving_FINAL.pdf 16 Dr.DoraSchriro,ImmigrationandDetentionOverviewandRecommendations,ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement, HomelandSecurity,October6,2009,page12. 17 AmericanImmigrationLawyersAssociation,RestoreFairnessandDueProcess,ImmigrationLawsGoTooFar,May2002, http://www.immigrationlinks.com/news/news1428.htm 18 InterviewwithJaimeDiezbyMyraMacPherson,February18,2009.. 19 Dr.DoraSchriro,ImmigrationandDetentionOverviewandRecommendations,ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement, HomelandSecurity,October6,2009,page6. 20 GaryE.Mead,SubcommitteeonImmigration,Citizenship,Refugees,BorderSecurityandInternationalLaw,Immigrationand CustomsEnforcement,http://www.ice.gov/doclib/pi/news/testimonies/garymead_testimony _ice_interrogation_detention_and_removal_procedures.pdf],13February2008 21 InternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights,Article10,99U.N.T.S.171,19December1966.TheUnitedStateshasalso ratifiedtheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofRacialDiscrimination(CERD)andtheConventionAgainstTortureand OtherorDegradingTreatmentofPunishment(CAT),includingtheguaranteethateveryone,regardlessofnationality,hasarightto practicehis/herreligionandtobetreatedequallyunderthelaw. 22 DIHSservesastheauthorityandproviderofcarefordetaineeshousedinDIHSstaffeddetentioncenters,andDIHSalso overseesthefinancialauthorizationandpaymentforoffsitespecialtyandemergencycarefordetaineesinICEcustody.Detainee HealthCareFactSheet,ICEDRO,7May2008. 23 DetaineeHealthCare,ICEDRO,7May2008. 24 TheGEOGroupInc.,Q42008earnings,Calltranscript,February12,2009,accessedfromalpha.com.

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FoxButterfieldandEricLichtblau,TheReachOfWar:TheCongress;ScreeningofPrisonOfficialsIsFaultedbyLawmakers,The NewYorkTimes,May21,2004, http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE0DA113FF932A15756C0A9629C8B63&scp=9&sq=Lane+McCotter&st=nyt 26 DemocracyNow,Raymondville:InsidetheLargestImmigrationPrisonCampintheUS,February27,2009, http://www.democracynow.org/2007/2/23/raymondville_inside_the_largest_immigration_prison 27 HomelandSecurityDivisionofImmigrationHealthServices,JobOpenings,https://jobsdihs.icims.com/jobs/intro(accessed October14,2009). 28 InterviewwithBrotherAlbertPhillipbyMyraMacPherson,February18,2009. 29 U.S.ImmigrationsandCustomsEnforcement,SouthTexasDetentionComplexOpeningToday,May17,2007, http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/SNA051705.htm 30 HernanRozemberg,Immigrantscriticizementalhealthcarefordetainees,SanAntonioExpressNews,October24,2007, http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/MYSA102507_01A_detaineehealth_3381049_html1000.html 31 HomelandSecurityDivisionofImmigrationHealthServices,JobOpenings,https://jobsdihs.icims.com/jobs/intro(accessed October14,2009). 32 HumanRightsWatch,US:ImmigrationPolicyHarmsWomen,Families.June24,2009, http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/06/24/usimmigrationpolicyharmswomenfamilies 33 FlorenceDethy,Localnursetestifiesaboutdetaineeabuse.TheBlade(Toledo,Ohio),June25,2009,viaFactiva. 34 LegalAdvocatesMeeting,Harlingen,Texas,March28,2008. 35 DetaineeHealthCare,ICEDRO,May7,2008. 36 DanaPriestandAmyGoldstein,SuicidesPointtoGapsinTreatment,WashingtonPost,13May2008. 37 InterviewwithJavierMaldonado,counselforanimmigrantdetainee,byRebeccaBernhardt. 38 NinaSiulucetal,ImprovingEfficiencyandPromotingJusticeintheImmigrationSystem,VeraInstitute,May2008, http://www.vera.org/publication_pdf/477_877.pdf. 39 Seeid.at886. 40 Ibidat884885. 41 LocallawenforcementinTexasareeligibleforfederalbordersecurityfundingfromatleastthreefederalsources:Operation Stonegarden,distributedandmonitoredbyFEMA;JusticeAssistanceGrants(JAG),distributedbytheDepartmentofJustice throughtheState,andaCongressionallyMandatedAwardof$4.5milliondirectlyallocatedtotheTexasBorderSheriffsCoalition, whichdistributesthemoneytoitsmembersheriffsdepartments.ThereisadditionalTexasstatefundingallocatedforborder securityoperationstothesesamepoliceandsheriffsdepartments.Noentityoverseesthefederalfundingsourcestoprevent conflictinggoalsorduplicativefunding.$75.4millionwereallocatedtothesouthernborderregionthroughOperationStonegarden forFY2009alone.Ofthat,Texaswasallocated$29.5million. 42 OnSeptember10,2007,OteroCountySheriffsDepartmentperformedanoperationfundedbythefederalOperation StonegardenGrantwhichledtotheviolationoffourthamendmentrightsforfamilieslivinginChaparral,NM.TheACLUofNew Mexicosuedthecountyonbehalfofanumberofthesefamiliesresultinginasettlementthatledtoarevisedstandardoperational procedurewithregardstoinquiryintoimmigrationstatus.http://www.aclu.org/immigrantsrights/familiessueoterocounty sheriffsoverillegalimmigrationraids 43 InterviewwithDanielGarzabyMyraMacPherson,February19,2009. 44 MelissadelBosque,BorderWallBypassesRich,DestroysHomesOfPoor,TexasObserver,February19,2008. 45 PersonalcommunicationfromEloisaTameztoMyraMacPherson,May,14,2008. 46 NativeAmericanGravesProtectionRepatriationAct,25U.S.C.3001,1990. 47 AmericanIndianReligiousFreedomAct,42U.S.C.1996,1978. 48 B.NunezNetoandY.Kim,BorderSecurity:BarriersAlongtheU.S.InternationalBorder,CongressionalResearchService,May 13,2008. 49 FreedomRestorationAct,42U.S.C.2000bb,1993. 50 B.NunezNetoandY.Kim,BorderSecurity:BarriersAlongtheU.S.InternationalBorder,CongressionalResearchService,May 13,2008. 51 InternationalCovenantonEconomic,Social,andCulturalRights,Article18. 52 MelissadelBosque,BorderWallintheNews,TexasObserver,February7,2009. 53 DemocracyNow,HolesintheWall,radiointerviewwithMelissadelBosque,February27,2008, http://www.democracynow.org/2008/2/27/holes_in_the_wall_texas_border 54 InterviewwithScottNicolbyMyraMacPherson,February25,2009.

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