ACLU Sues over Conditions of Immigrant Detention

The American Civil Liberties Union today filed lawsuits on behalf of ten immigrant children, challenging their illegal detention at the T. Don Hutto facility in Taylor, Texas (which has been frequently in the news — and on this blog). The lawsuits, which charge that these children are being imprisoned under inhumane conditions while their parents await immigration decisions, are filed against Michael Chertoff, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as well as six officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The ACLU is bringing the lawsuits along with the ACLU of Texas, the University of Texas School of Law Immigration Clinic and the international law firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae LLP. The families represented come from countries including Lithuania, Canada, Haiti, Honduras, Somalia, and Guyana, and many have fled dangerous situations and are seeking asylum in the United States.   For the ACLU prss release, see http://www.aclutx.org/article.php?aid=464

KJ