Asylum Seekers will No Longer be Detained
Posted on Dec 18, 2009 1:20pm PST
Recently, the Obama administration informed that nation that it will stop detaining asylum seekers if they have reasonable fear of persecution in their home countries.
In order to be released, asylum seekers in the United States will have to prove that they have credible fear of persecution and also prove that they are not a flight risk or dangerous. These requirements were revealed by John Morton, the Department of Human Services assistance secretary overseeing Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
When foreigners seeking asylum arrive at the port of entry, they will automatically be considered for release if they have credible fear. Prior to their release, asylum speakers will remain in a detention center where they will be interviewed and subjected to background checks. The ICE hopes to reduce detention lengths through the new process.
At this time, foreigners who come to the U.S. without valid documents can be removed from the country without any sort of hearing. If they are detained, they must request a release in writing.
According to the advocacy group, Human Rights First, the rates of temporary release of asylum seekers decreased from 41.3% to 4.2% last April from 2004 - 2007.
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