USCCB: bishop rues opening of immigrant detention center

December 17, 2014

The chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration decried the opening of a family detention center-- the largest of its kind-- for those who have entered the United States illegally.

“It is inhumane to house young mothers with children in restrictive detention facilities, as if they are criminals,” said Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo of Seattle. “Many of these families are fleeing persecution and should be afforded the full benefit of domestic and international law.”

“Detention denies mothers and children with valid legal claims meaningful access to due process, including legal representation,” he added, citing the case of a detention center in New Mexico.

 

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Further information:

• USCCB Chairman Decries Opening Of Family Detention Center In Dilley, Texas, Proposes More Humane Alternatives To Detention For Vulnerable Families (USCCB)
• South Texas family lockup will be nation's largest (AP)