Did immigration officials ask jails to hold U.S. citizens?

Many Miami area residents are familiar with immigration issues, as many are immigrants themselves. Immigrants are involved in every area of Miami society and are in the U.S. to create a better life for themselves and their family. Immigration issues are in the news almost every day. A recent report by the American Civil Liberties Union highlights an alarming issue with detainer records in Miami.

The ACLU has issued a report that shows that federal immigration authorities have asked Miami-Dade to hold hundreds of inmates at county jails even though they were listed as U.S. citizens. Between February 2017 to February 2019 there were detainer requests for 420 inmates who were listed as U.S. citizens on jail records. The ACLU believes that these detainer records for Miami are disturbing and that local governments should not be holding U.S. citizens for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Immigrants in the Miami area understand how complicated the U.S. immigration system can be. With the current political climate, immigrants can feel like they are under attack. Whether they are seeking a temporary visa, working towards permanent residency or anything in between, it is important to be aware of the complications that can arise.

Many immigrants in the U.S. do not feel welcome. Even when they are U.S. citizens, they can feel like they are being constantly scrutinized. It is important for immigrants to understand they have legal rights regardless of their status. Getting the right information about those rights may help immigrants who are facing legal issues.