WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today called the Immigration
and Naturalization Services' (INS) proposed immigrant relocation plan,
or "hubbing," a serious threat to the civil and legal rights of immigrants.
The
plan would move Mexicans, Central Americans and Caribbean nationals to
Texas from 18 central states. All other immigrants in INS custody
would be detained in Chicago.
In
a letter to Dwayne Peterson, Acting Regional Director for the Central Region
of the INS, Schakowsky wrote, "The proposed hubbing plan, which would detain
and transport immigrants based on ethnicity, presents a serious threat
to the civil rights of immigrants."
Schakowsky
expressed deep concerns that the proposal would result in detainess not
able to obtain legal counsel and access to witnesses and evidence.
"This separation both from legal counsel and evidence that can only be
obtained locally is a blatant violation of fundamental due process rights,"
Schakowsky wrote.
Schakowsky
also wrote that the proposal would disproportionately affect asylum seekers
and would have a "devastating impact on Chicago families and the Chicago
immigrant community."
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