2009 Missing the Mark

7/31/2019 2009 Missing the Mark

1/33

ACLUOFTEXASP.O.BOX12905AUSTIN,TX78711T/512.478.7300F/512.478.7303www.aclutx.org

MissingtheMark:hownationalsecuritystrategiesinRioGrandeborder

communitiessacrificebasichumanrightsandfailtomakeTexanssafe

How national security strategies in

Rio Grande Valley border communities sacrificebasic human rights and fail to make Texans safe

~Rio Grande Border Communities Speak Out~

AmericanCivilLibertiesUnionofTexasDecember2009

MMMiiissssssiiinnnggg ttthhheee MMMaaarrrkkk:::


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MissingtheMark 2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSContributors:RebeccaBernhardt,ACLUofTexas

KathrynBrimacombe,

ACLU

of

Texas

DottyGriffith,ACLUofTexas

JoseRomero,ACLUofTexas

EmilyCarey,ACLUofNewMexicoRegionalCenterforBorderRights

AdditionalDocumentationandRecommendations:ACLUFoundationImmigrantRightsProject

ACLUFoundationRacialJusticeProject

ACLUFoundationNationalPrisonProject

ACLU

Foundation

Human

Rights

Project

SpecialthankstoMyraMacPherson;reporter,editorandcivillibertarianextraordinaire,whose

curiosityanddeterminationaddedahumandimensiontothisreport.

AcknowledgementsWewanttothankallofthecourageousindividualsandcommunitieswhocontributedtheirtime,

knowledge,expertiseandstoriestothedevelopmentofthisreport. Werecognizethatwewere

onlyabletoportrayasnapshotoftheirreality.Thosewhotooktimeoutoftheirschedulesto

sharetheirpain,fearandfrustrationsaswellastheirhopesforabetterandsaferlifearefighters

forjustice.

WehavecometoknowthattheRioGrandeValleyasaspecialplace.Inthewordsofoneofthe

heroesofthisstory,MichaelSeifert,formerlyofProjectoDigna,Despitethehardnessoflifehere,

welovetheValley.ThereisaqualityoflifeherethatismissinginSanAntonioorHoustonor

Dallas.Thereishereanintangiblespiritthatdefiesthemeasuresofthesocialsciences.Somecallit

solidarity,othersalovefortheextendedfamily.Churchpeoplecallitcommunity.TheValleyisone

placeinAmericawhereneighborsstillunashamedlygodoortodoortoaskfordonationsfora

funeral,wherenoonesleepsonthestreets,wherenoonegoeswithoutameal,howeversimple

thatofferingmightbe.

Wehonortheirstruggle.Itisourhopethatthisreportcanshedanationallightontheirreality

and,intheprocess,serveasacatalystforchange.

TheContributors


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MissingtheMark 3

TABLEOFCONTENTSI.EXECUTIVESUMMARY......................................................................................................................4 II.RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................................................7 III.THELOWERRIOGRANDEVALLEYINAHISTORICALCONTEXT ...................................................10 IV.DETENTION:ICECHILLSTEXAS.....................................................................................................13

a.)WhyDetentionHasIncreased ..................................................................................................13

b.)InhumaneLivingConditionsinDetentionCenters...................................................................16

c.)LivinginDetention:HazardoustoYourHealth ........................................................................19

d.)WomenUnderserved,atRiskofSexualAssaults.....................................................................21

e.)IneffectiveMonitoringofHIVandAIDSPatients .....................................................................21

f.)

Use

of

Quarantine

Questioned..................................................................................................22

g.)DenialofMentalHealthcare,InappropriatePunishment........................................................22

h.)Hunger,SpoiledandInsectInfestedFood ...............................................................................23

i.)InconsistentAccesstoReligiousMaterialsandServices...........................................................24

j.)VisitationLimited,LawLibrariesandTelephoneAccessInsufficient........................................24

V.LIVINGINANOCCUPIEDZONE .....................................................................................................26 a.)LawEnforcementAuthorityintheBorderlands.......................................................................26

b.)HumanRightsPrinciples...........................................................................................................27

VI.LIVINGWITHTHEBORDERWALL.................................................................................................28 a.)

Economic

inequity

and

property

rights

violations

threaten

away

of

life ................................28

b.)DestructionofSacredSpace:ViolationofCultural&ReligiousFreedoms..............................29


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MissingtheMark 4

I.EXECUTIVESUMMARYnformationforthisreportwascompiledover18monthsofresearchandtwostaffinvestigative

visitstotheValley.WehavelookedatmajorissuesfacingthishistoricpartofTexas:

growingnumbersofdetaineesbeingheldforlongperiodsoftimeinsubstandardconditions;

growingmilitarizationalongtheborderaslocallawenforcementbecomesmoreandmoreinvolvedinenforcementoffederalimmigrationlaw;

denialofpassportstoU.S.citizensbornofmidwives;and constructionoftheBorderWall.

Testimonyfromdetainees,theirattorneysandadvocates,residentsandofficialshasbeen

compiledtopaintapictureofsystemicandsystematiccivilandhumanrightsviolations.

Duringthe

ACLU

delegation

visit,

we

interviewed

detainees,

some

held

for

years

without

ahearing,andtheirattorneyswhotellstoriesoflittleornomedicalcare,and,insomeinstances,

lifethreateningmedicalmistakes.Theydescribedetaineesliveswithoutprivacy,hungerbecause

foodisinedibleorinsufficient,isolation,deprivation,andassault.Heldinaremoteregionwithfew

resources,theyarefarfromfamilyandaccesstolegalrepresentation.Theysufferwithlittleorno

accesstocounsel,friendsorfamily.

TheObamaAdministrationhasrecently

pledgedtooverhaulimmigration

detentionpolicies.Whileweare

optimistic,fewchangeshavebeen

implementedas

of

this

date.

If

put

into

effect,recommendationsintheOct.6,

2009,reportbyDr.DoraSchriroto

HomelandSecurityandImmigrationand

CustomsEnforcement(ICE)would

addresssomeoftheviolations,poor

conditionsandhumiliationsdetention

immigrantscurrentlysuffer.Withregard

todetentionconditions,our

recommendationsarelargelyconsistent

withthose

in

the

Schriro

report.

Problemsrelatingtodetentionandabuseoflocallawenforcementpowerscontinuemakinglife

alongtheborderfearfulformostanddangerousformany.Theseabuseshavebeencommittedin

thenameofnationalsecurity,yetstatisticsshowthatcarteldrivenviolentcrime,human

traffickinganddrugsmugglingcontinuetoincrease.Thecurrentapproachesarenottheanswer.

I

Photo credit: James Tourtellotte

A U.S. Border Patrol bicycle unit patrols the city of Brownsville, TX looking

for illegal immigrants.


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MissingtheMark 6

Afterfilingsuit,theACLUofTexas,theAmericanCivilLibertiesUnion(ACLU),thelawfirmof

Hogan&HartsonLLP,andRefugiodelRioGrande,Inc.reachedalegalsettlementwiththe

DepartmentofStatewhichshould,intime,amelioratethelogjamsanddenialsfacedbypassport

applicantswhohappenedtohavebeenattendedatbirthintheValleybymidwives.

Unfortunately,since

our

visit

to

the

Valley,

the

Border

Wall

has

neared

completion

and

the

Obama

Administrationhasissuedordersforconstructiontocontinue,despiteyearsoflegalchallenges

andcommunityopposition.


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MissingtheMark 7

II.RECOMMENDATIONSa.)Detention

ImplementRecommendationsoftheSchriroReportinSouthTexas.The

findings

of

the

Schriro

Report,

regarding

the

disproportionate

share

of

detention

infrastructurelocatedinTexas,theneedforanincreaseintheuseofalternativesto

detention,andtheimportanceofadequatemedicalcare,accesstolawlibraries,

recreation,religiousservicesandservicesforspecialpopulations,areallconsistentwith

thefindingsofthisreportandtheSchriroReportsrecommendationsshouldbe

implementedimmediately.1

StopLocatingImmigrationDetentionFacilitiesinIsolatedLocations.NewdetentionfacilitiesshouldnotbelocatedinplacessuchasSouthTexaswherethere

arenotenoughresourcessuchasimmigrationattorneysandmedicalstaff,including

doctors,

dentists

and

mental

health

professionals,

to

provide

sufficient

representation

and

medicalcarefordetainees.

EndRelianceonContractDetentionFacilitiesDuetolackofaccountabilitytoICE,theirremotelocations,structuralweaknessesintheir

physicalplants,andchronicinabilitytostaffkeypositions,especiallyhealthcare

professionals,relianceoncontractfacilities,includingWillacyandtheSouthTexas

DetentionComplex,shouldbeended.

b.)LocalLawEnforcement DevelopClearGrantGuidelinesforLocalLawEnforcementAgencies.

FederalfundingofprogramssuchasOperationStonegarden,OperationLinebacker,and

nowOperationBorderStarwereallocatedtoassistlocallawenforcementagenciesin

combatingborderrelatedcriminalactivity.Theseresourceshavebeeninappropriately

usedtoconductimmigrationenforcementincommunities,resultingincivilrights

violations. Futurefundingshouldhavespecificoutcomemeasuresthatencourage

trainingandprofessionaldevelopmentinsmallerdepartmentsthatwillimprovepolice

effectiveness. Departmentsshouldbescreenedforpotentialcorruptionbeforegrantsare

allocatedtoensuregrantsdonotgotocorruptdepartments. Departmentsneedclear

guidancetoensurecriminallawenforcementactivitiesaretheirfocusinsteadofimmigrant

roundups.Continued

civil

rights

violations

should

result

in

discontinuation

of

funding.

CreateCommunityInvolvementCapacityforBorderPatrolandLocalLawEnforcement.Ensuringoversightandaccountabilityoflawenforcementagenciesrequiresongoing

communicationandrelationshipbuildingbetweenkeycommunitystakeholdersandlaw

enforcementagencies.Thecreationofcivilianoversightorcommunityinvolvement

capacityhasworkedincitiessuchasDetroitandNewYorktodevelopmechanismsfor

workingtowardsrebuildingbrokencommunitytrust.


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MissingtheMark 8

ThereShouldbeWrittenInteragencyAgreementsWhenLocalLawEnforcementandFederalAgenciesCollaborate.Agreementsbetweenagenciesmustbetransparentandprotocolsmadeclearto

communitymembersinordertoensureoversightandaccountability.

ProhibitLocalLawEnforcementfromEnforcingCivilImmigrationLawsandReviseStandardOperationalProcedures.Localenforcementofcivilimmigrationlawsleadstoracialandethnicprofilingand

undermineseffectivepolicingbydiscouragingimmigrantcommunitiesfromcooperating

withthepolice.TheACLUcallsforthedevelopmentofStandardOperationalProceduresforborderlawenforcementagencieswhichspecificallyaddressthenarrowcircumstances

whenaninquiryintoimmigrationstatuswouldbeappropriate,inamannerthatrespects

thehumanandcivilrightsofbordercommunities.

Require

Civil

Rights

and

Crime

Victim

Training

for

Law

Enforcement.

Locallawenforcementagenciesshouldberequiredandprovidedfundingtoengageincivil

rightstraining. Additionaltrainingandeducationisneededforofficerstobeableto

identifycrimevictims,includingvictimsofhumantrafficking,andhelpthemtoaccess

availableservicesandlegalrecourse. Identifyingandassistingvictimsensuresthattheyare

treatedfairly,andbolstersprosecutionefforts.

c.)BorderWall

Photo credit: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration


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MissingtheMark 10

III.THELOWERRIOGRANDEVALLEYINAHISTORICALCONTEXTTheRioGrandeValleyregionofSouthTexashasalwayshadadistinctbiculturalflavorsinceits

earliestdaysinthe18thcenturywhenKingCarlosofSpaingrantedlandtodwellersintheborder

territory.FollowingtheMexicanAmericanWarof1846,theValleywasincorporatedintothe

UnitedStates

but

its

unique

nature

lives

on.

Intheearlydaysofthe20thcentury,MexicannationalscrossedthebordertoworkonTexas

farmsandoilfields,returningtoMexicoattheendofeachseasonasroutinelyasiftheywere

crossingfromoneAmericanstatetoanother.OthermigrantfarmworkerssettledintheRio

GrandeValley,makingfrequentcrossbordertripstoseerelatives. Althoughunlawfultocross

intotheUnitedStateswithoutfederalpermission,muchoftheTexasborderwasnotaggressively

policedbyU.S.BorderPatrolorotherfederallawenforcementforseveraldecades.Theseworkers

werefartooessentialtoU.S.agriculture,fromtoilingasstooplaborinfieldstoworkinginpacking

sheds.

TheRioGrandeValleyremainsoneofthepoorestregionsintheUnited Statesdespitethe

passageoftheNorthAmericanFreeTradeAgreement(NAFTA)in1994.Eventhoughthevalleys

economyhasgrownsubstantiallysincetheninsuchareasas manufacturing,transportation,and

tourism,allfourRioGrandeValleycounties rankedamongthe100lowestincomecountiesinthe

UnitedStatesbaseduponpercapitaincome,accordingtoU.S.CensusBureaudata.

InOctober2009unemploymentwas10.8%fortheBrownsvilleHarlingenareaand11.6%forthe

McAllenEdinburgMissionarea,thehighestunemploymentratesinTexasandwellabovethe

nationalrate.3

Cameronand

Hidalgo

were

the

only

two

counties

in

the

United

States

with

median

household

incomesunder$25,000;oneothernationally(BronxNY)wasunder$30,000. Cameron(cityof

Brownsville)andHidalgo(cityofEdinburg)countiesalsohadthehighestpovertyratesofany

countiesintheUnitedStates;eachhadarateofabout41percent.4

IntodaysviolentandemotionallychargedatmospherealongtheMexicansideoftheborder,

borderenforcementactionsoftenunderminebasiccivilandhumanrightsandnegativelyaffect

thepassageofgoodsthroughlandports.ConstructionoftheBorderWallraisesdeepconcernsfor

manyreasonsandanxiousValleyeconomicleadersfearthatitsendsthewrongmessagetoTexas

numberonetradingpartner,Mexico.

AsadironyisthattheRioGrandeValley,nowplaguedwithhumanandcivilrightsabuses,has

producedthemostpatrioticofcitizens,withadisproportionatelyhighpopulationofbothmilitary

veteransandresidentscurrentlyonactiveduty.TheValleyhasthehighestpercapitaofindividuals

servingintheIraqWar,accordingtoonecommunityadvocate.Onenativeson,generalRicardo

SanchezwasthehighestrankingLatinointheU.S.armedforcesatthetimeofhisretirement.Raul

Yzaguirre,whorosetobecomethePresidentandCEOoftheNationalCouncilofLaRaza,beganhis

careerbyservinghiscountryintheU.S.AirForce.


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MissingtheMark 11

DespitetheValleysmodestpopulation,thisregionhasproducedseverallandmarkcivilrights

casesdecidedbythehighestcourtintheland.

InCastanedav.Partida,theU.S.SupremeCourtheldMexicanAmericanshadbeensubjectto

racialdiscriminationintheselectionofgrandjurors.MexicanAmericansmadeup79.1percentof

thecountys

population

but

only

39

per

cent

of

the

grand

jurors

during

the

relevant

time

period.

5

ThisimportantbutoftenoverlookedrulingestablishedthatMexicanAmericanscouldbe

discriminatedagainstbygovernmentactioneveninacountywhereMexicanAmericansalso

controlledthecountygovernment.

InBernalv.Fainter,theU.S.Supreme

CourtfoundunconstitutionalaTexas

statutethatapersonhadtobeaU.S.

citizentoqualifyforcertificationasa

notarypublic.Itruledthatthestatute

violatedtheprinciplesofequal

protection6afterEfremBernal,a

lawfulpermanentresident,was

rejectedwhenheappliedtobea

notary.Thisrulingestablishedthat

citizenshipwasanappropriate

conditionofemploymentforonlya

narrowcategoryofoccupations.

In1975,theU.S.SupremeCourtheldin

UnitedStatesv.BrignoniPoncethattheFourthAmendmentdidnotpermitU.S.BorderPatrol

agentsto

detain

vehicles

in

the

border

region

to

question

occupants

about

their

citizenship

and

immigrationstatusbasedsolelyontheirMexicanappearance.7Althoughthisrulingmaderacial

profilingillegal,theCourtsetastandardforthesestopslowerthanprobablecause,adoptinga

reasonablesuspicionstandardforvehiclestopsbyBorderPatrolintheborderregion.

Despitethisimportantprecedent,residentscontinuetofeeltheyarevictimsofracialprofiling.

EveryoneintheRioGrandeknowsthemajorcheckpoint,100milesnorthoftheborderalongU.S.

Highway77.ThefollowingchroniclesanACLUofTexasstaffexperienceononeofourbordertrips.

LowerRioGrandeValleyresidentscontinuetofightagainstthisandotherindignities. One

grassrootscommunitygroup,LaUniondelPuebloUrido(LUPE),metwithpolicetoprotest

unwarranted

search

and

seizure,

unlawful

detention

and

racial

profiling.

8

After

LUPE

members

met

withLaJoyaChiefofPoliceJoedelAngel,heconcededthathisofficersarenotheretodeport

anybody,[they]arenotimmigration.HeassuredLUPEthathewouldoffermoretrainingtohis

officersandthatofficerswerewillingtohavemeetingswiththecommunity.9

Otherbordergroupshavealsosecuredagreementswithlocalpoliceagenciestostoppolice

officersfromenforcingimmigration,asprohibitedbyfederallaw.InElPaso,SheriffJimmy

Apodacapromisedlocaladvocacygroupsthathisdepartmentwouldnotengageinthefollowing:

Photo credit: Gerald L. Nino

A U.S. Border Patrol check point in Hidalgo, TX


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MissingtheMark 12

settingupcheckpointsnearschoolsandduringmorningoreveningrushhours;targetingonly

oldermakecars(allcarsmustbestoppedatcheckpoints);askingpeoplenotundersuspicionfor

havingbrokenalawfortheirSocialSecuritycardsorproofofcitizenship;andusingabusive

languageortactics.10

ThecheckpointlookedformidableeventothethreeAnglosinourrentalcar.FiveBorder

PatrolSUVslinedthesideleadingtothecheckpoint.Tenmoresatontheotherside.Large

signs,oneinSpanishandoneinEnglish,warned,K9onDuty.RestrainYourPets.A

guardpacedtheareawithaleashedGermanshepherd.Ayoungborderpatrolguard

peeredinandsawthreepalefacedAnglos.AreyouU.S.Citizens?heasked. Yes,came

thedrivers

response.

Where

are

you

going?

Austin.

He

smiled

and

waved

our

car

on,

adding,Haveagoodtrip.

OureasypassageisntsoroutineforHispanicdriversorpassengerswholookMexican.

Searchesbasedonobviousonracialprofilingareattheheartofmanylegalbattles.Rio

GrandeValleyresidentandactivistElizabethGarcia,anaturalizedcitizen,explained,

SometimesIgetallkindsofquestions.WhentheysayAreyouaU.S.citizen?itisalways

hard(becauseIamanaturalizedcitizen.)IfIsayyes,theyusuallydon'tbelieveme,so

theyaskmeWherewereyouborn?IfIsayMexicotheysayThen,youarenotU.S.,you

areanaturalizedcitizen.Andthenmorequestions,Whereareyougoing,forhowlong,

doyouownthiscar?Sometimestheysearchmycar.

Myra

MacPherson


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MissingtheMark 13

IV.DETENTION:ICECHILLSTEXASa.)WhyDetentionHasIncreasedTherehasbeenanastonishingincreaseinSouthTexasdetentioninthepast13yearsbecauseof

severaldevelopments:

the

1996

act

which

enforced

tough

deportation

measures

along

with

stringentapplicationofthisact;politicizedfearofterrorismfollowingtheSeptember11,2001

attacks;dramaticallyexpandedenforcementefforts,includingtheproliferationoflocallaw

enforcementpartnerships;andtheexpansionofimmigrationdetentioncapacity,particularly

contractfacilities,locatedinisolatedplacesintheTexasborderregion.

The1996IllegalImmigrationReform

andImmigrantResponsibilityAct

(IIRAIRA)strippeddiscretionfrom

immigrationjudgesinorderingthe

deportationoflongtimelawful

residentimmigrants,expandedthe

listofcrimesleadingtodeportation

andmassivelyexpandedthe

categoriesofimmigrantssubjectto

mandatorydetention.Butitwas

BushsDepartmentofHomeland

Security(DHS)thathammeredthis

home.

Today,thechillingacronym,ICEfor

Immigrationand

Customs

Enforcement,isahouseholdwordto

thosewholivealongtheborder.Createdin2003byDHS,ICEisresponsibleforoverseeingthe

detentionofpersonschargedwithviolatingcivilimmigrationlaws.Therapidexpansionof

authorityandfacilitiesenablesICEtodetainmorethan300,000individualsperyear.11

Theyare

incarceratedinover300privatelycontractedforprofitdetentioncenters,detentioncentersrun

byICE,orlocaljails(viaIntergovernmentalServiceAgreements).12

IndependentstudiesandICEsownnumbersindicatethatenforcementeffortsintendedtotarget

seriouscriminalshaveinsteadledtothedetentionanddeportationofimmigrantswithnocriminal

history.

According

to

ICE,

in

fiscal

years

2007

through

2009,

two

thirds

of

initial

book

ins

of

immigrantsawaitingremovalprocedureshadnocriminalconvictions.13

AstudybytheMigration

PolicyInstituterevealedthat73percentofthepeoplearrestedsinceearly2008inICEraidshadno

criminalrecordsevenastheHomelandSecurityDepartmenttoutedthemascarefullyplanned

dragnetsfordangerousimmigrantfugitives.14


A U.S. Border Patrol agent investigates a potential landing area for illegal

immigrants crossing the Rio Grande River in Texas.


14/33

MissingtheMark 14

Another2009report,LocalDemocracyonICE,foundthatpolicearetargetingdaylaborers,

streetvendors,peoplewhoaredrivingaroundwithbrokentaillightsnotdangerousillegal

immigrants.ICEdeputizeslocalpoliceinvariousstatestoenforceU.S.immigrationlaws,butJudith

GreeneofJusticeStrategies,aNewYorkbasednonprofitresearchorganization,saysithasfailedin

itspromisetotargetillegalimmigrantswhoposeathreattopublicsafetyornationalsecurity.

Meanwhileit

is

keeping

police

forces

from

handling

local

crime

and

costing

state

taxpayers.

TheObamaAdministrationhasrefusedtoendthemostcontroversialprogramthatinvolveslocal

lawenforcementinenforcementofimmigrationlaws,knownasthe287(g)program,inspiteof

pressurefromhundredsofcivilrightsandimmigrantsrightsadvocacyorganizations. Thenew

administrationhascontinuedto

expandlessvisibleprogramsthat

incorporatelocallawenforcement

intoimmigrationenforcement,

includingtheCriminalAlienProgram

(CAP),whichwasrecentlyfoundto

encourageracialprofilingbylocal

policeinastudyoftheprogramin

Irving,TX,15

andSecureCommunities.

AccordingtorecentlyreleasedICE

statistics,theCriminalAlienProgram

isresponsibleforalmosthalfofthe

immigrantarrestsnationwide.16

Criminalprosecutionsofimmigration

violatorsbetween2003and2008

quadrupledto

79,400

through

programs

like

Operation

Streamline,

which

filed

minor

charges

againstvirtuallyallpeoplecrossingpartsoftheTexasandArizonaborders.CriticsarguethatDHS

shouldtargetcriminalnetworksandemployerswhorelyonillegalworkers.

Harshstandardshavebeenappliedretroactivelytolongtermimmigrantswhohavealreadyserved

sentences(andinmanycaseswereneversubjecttojailtime).17

Theresulthasbeendevastating.

Insomecases,legalpermanentresidentsforover30yearswithminorcriminalrecordsfromtheir

youtharenowsubjecttomandatorydeportationifdetected,despitethefactthattheyhave

servedtheirsentences,and,inmanycasesnowhavehomes,families,wellpayingjobs,arelittle

leaguebaseballcoachesandcommunityleaders.Theseindividualsareatriskoflosingeverything.

Therepeateduseofthephrasecriminalaliensbycorporateexecutivesofforprofitprison

companiesinfuriateslawyerswhodefenddetainees.ThedefinitionofCriminalAlienisany

personnotbornintheU.S.orthatisaU.S.citizenthatatanytimeinhisorherlifewasconvicted

foranycrime.Thatisacriminalalien.Acriminalaliencanbesomeonewho30yearsagowas

convictedforshopliftingorfordrivingwhileintoxicated,saysJaimeDiez,anattorneywithJones

andCraneLawFirminWeslaco,TX.Twopossessionsofacigaretteofmarijuanaisanaggravated

felonyandyoucanbedeported.


U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley process illegal immigrants

who attempted to enter the United States.


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MissingtheMark 15

Thedefinitionofwhoisacriminaltobedetainedescalatedwildlytoincludesuchnonviolentand

oftenminoroffensesunderMichaelChertoffsallpowerfultenureasBushsdirectorofHomeland

Security. But,saysDiez,Whenthepublichearsthewordcriminaltheythinkrapists,robbers,

murderersanddrugtraffickers.

Agoodnumberofthesepeoplewereconvictedofnonviolent

crimesmanyyearsago,havepaidfortheirmistakesandtodayare

responsiblecitizenswithfamiliesandsuddenlytheirpast

mistakescomebacktohauntthem,explainedDiez.Itisnot

onlynotfairforthem,itissurelynotfairforwhattheirfamily

membershavetogothroughwhiletheirfather,motherorloved

oneisdetained.

Diezcitescasesregardingthreedetainees,allofwhomwerelegal

permanentresidentsoftheUnitedStates.

A56yearoldemployeeintheDallasmaintenancedepartmenthasbeenalegalresidentfor28yearsandraisedfourchildren,twoofwhomareservingintheUSmilitary,onein

IraqandoneinJapan.In1999hewasseverelyinjured,breakingaleg,whilecuttingdown

treesforthecityofDallas.Heresortedtosmallamountsofcocaineforhispain.Stopped

bythepolice,hewassearchedandarrestedforcarryingasmallamountofcocainefor

personaluse.Hepledguiltyandreturnedtohisjobandwasasteadyemployeeforthe

next10years. LastyearhewenttoMexicotovisithismother.BecausehelookedMexican

hewasstoppedonreturnandthedecadeoldcocainechargecameupinthedatabase.

HehasbeeninWillacyfor10months.Hewillgetahearingonthe12thofMarchandI

haveno

doubt

in

my

mind

he

will

get

awaiver.

He

is

legally

entitled

to

it;

apermanent

residentwhohasnootherrecord,neverspentadayinprison,hasworkedforthesame

employerforyears,alifelongtaxpayer,haschildrenintheservicetohiscountry.Buthe

willprobablylosehisjob,hispension.Thisisalaborerwhocantstartoverathisage.

MeanwhiletheGEOcorporationhasmademoneyforthe10monthsthattheyhavekept

usfromhavingthatcriminaloutonthestreets.

A27yearoldMexicancitizenbecameaLegalPermanentResident(LPR)whenthreeyearsold.Alarmedatstoriesofrisingcrimefouryearsago,helegallypurchasedagunbuthadit

inhiscar,whichwouldhavebeenlegalinTexasifheweregoingtoashootingrangeor

hunting.He

was

convicted

of

amisdemeanor

and

given

180

days

probation

which

ended

in

thesummerof2005.Hehasnoothercriminalconviction.

In2007hemarriedanotherLegalPermanentResident.Every10yearsyouhavetorenew

yourcardifyouareapermanentresident.Whenheappliedlastfall,immigrationwouldnt

sendthecardeventhoughhehadalreadyfinishedhisprobationtwoyearsago.Hewas

subjecttomandatorydetentionorfacedeportment.Itwasclearhewasnotaflightrisk.

Itisnotonlyfairfor

them,itissurelynotfair

forwhattheirfamily

membershavetogo

throughwhiletheir

father,motherorloved

oneisdetained.

JaimeDiez,attorney


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17/33


18/33

MissingtheMark 18

Thesecondlargestprivate

prisoncompany,GEOGroup,

Inc.(formerlyWackenhut

CorrectionsCorp.) includesin

itsnationwide

axis

of

prisons

theSouthTexasDetention

CenterinPearsall,aswellas

facilitieswithfederalcontracts

inBexar,Webb,Karnes,

Maverick,ValVerde,Reeves

counties.GeorgeZoley,

chairmanandCEOannounced

inFebruary,2009,Weexpect

our2009operatingrevenues

tobebetween$1.01billion

and$1.03billion.Aprimary

driverforgrowthwasthe

continuingescalationof

personsdetainedbyICE for

possibledeportation.ZoleynotedthatCongressappropriated$1billionlastyearforanICE

initiativeandoptimisticallypredictedthatthenewadministrationandCongresswouldcontinue

tosupportfederalinitiativestotargetdetainedanddeportcriminalaliens.NewGEOdetention

bedsarebeingprovidednationwideandZoleyprophesizedthatdetainingillegalalienswill

increasinglybeseenasanationalimperativetoprotectU.S.workersandtheirjobs.24

Thetents

of

Willacy

are

foreboding

enough

viewed

from

the

keep

out

signs

and

the

barbed

wire

butnooutsidercanimaginethedesperationofbeinghousedthere.Itisthelargestimmigration

detentioncenterintheUnitedStates.Openedin2006,itisrunbytheUtahbasedforprofitprison

company,Management&TrainingCorporation(MTC)whichgainednotorietywhenitsformer

director,LaneMcCotter,wasappointedbyformerAttorneyGeneralJohnAshcrofttosetupU.S.

operations andtrainguardsatAbuGhraibprison.25

Countyofficialswereconvictedinakickbackschemeduringthistentcityconstructionand

scandalscontinuedafteritsopeningwhenmediacoverageconsistentlyexposedabusive

treatmentofdetainees.26

In2008,therewasonlyonedentist,onestaffphysician,andonepart

time

psychiatrist

for

its

2,000

detainees.

A

simple

search

on

the

DIHS

website

shows

that

few

medicalpersonnelwanttoworkthere.In2008,thefacilityhadbeenlackingaclinicaldirector,

psychologist,dentist,staffphysician,pharmacist,pharmacytechnician,dentalassistant,medical

recordstechnician,andvariousnursingpositionsforatleastayear.Thefacilitywasstillposting

openingsforapsychologist,dentist,andvariousnursingpositionsinOctober2009,meaningthese

positionshavenotbeenconsistentlyfilledforatleasttwoyears.27

Willacydetaineesremainisolatedfromtheworld.In2008,immigrationlawyerspracticinginthe

LowerRioGrandeValleydidnotregularlyrepresentdetaineesatWillacyandthuswewereableto

Photo credit: Marc Mongenet

Men cross the Rio Grande River from Mexico to Big Bend National Park, TX.


19/33

MissingtheMark 19

interviewonlythreecurrentdetaineesandonerecentlyreleaseddetainee,allofwhomaremale.

In2009,BrotherAlbertPhillippofCameronCityreported,thereisabsolutelynoprivacyifyougo

inthere;justacorneroftheroom,notevenlargeenoughforatable.Andthebathroomsareopen

totheentireroom,whereyouaresleeping.28

Theonly

private

personal

space

each

detainee

has

is

his

or

her

bed.

The

bunks

are

in

rows

approximatelythreefeetapart.Fiftydetaineessharedfiveshowers,sinksandtoiletsandthree

telephones.Waterentersthetentsfromunderneathwheneveritrainsand,thoughthetentsare

purportedlyinsulated,inthewinterthereisnoheatinthefrigidtents. Detaineescomplainedthat

thedormitorieswereincrediblycold,eveninthesummer(unlesstheairconditionerswerebroken

whichledtoswelteringheat),forcingdetaineestohuddleunderblanketsontheirbunks.Afew

detaineesmentionedfeelingthiswasanintentionalcontrolmechanism.

Thelackofsanitationwasamajorconcern.Onedetaineereportedthattherewasnotenough

handsoap,andthebathroomareawasconsistentlywet.Thelackofprivacyinthebathroomswas

alsodistressing,withonlyahalfwall(recentlyconstructed)toseparatethetoiletareafromthe

showers.Clothesarrivingfromlaundrywerereportedasconsistentlydamp.Detaineeswere

requiredtoimmediatelyfoldandplacetheseitemsinthedrawersunderneaththebunk.One

detaineespeculatedthataskinrashhedevelopedmightbeduetowearingdampormoldy

clothes.

Nearby,butbehindanothersetofgates,loomsanewerbrickstructurewheredetaineesare

housedin20dormscontaining50bedseachandtwoceilingskylights.Therearenowindows.

c.)LivinginDetention:HazardoustoYourHealthThe

geographic

remoteness

of

these

facilities,

intentionally

located

away

from

major

population

centersandclosetothesouthernborder,hampersmedicalcare,makingitdifficulttorecruitand

retainqualifiedmedicalstafforprovidespecializedservices.BothPortIsabelandWillacyaremore

than230milesfromthenearestmajorcity,SanAntonio,andevenPearsallisanhourawaybycar.

ThePortIsabelServiceProcessingCenter,knownasPortIsabelandBayview,islocatedinasmall

town,populationslightlymorethan5,000.Onanygivenday,PortIsabelhousesapproximately

1,200detainees(900malesand300females)infourseparatebuildings.WhenwevisitedinMay

2008,thefacilitywasnearcapacity.Whiletouringitsmedicalfacilities,theACLUstaffwas

informedthatapproximately40percentofthemedicalpositionswerevacant.Therewasone

staff

physician

for

1200

detainees.

The

second

staff

physician

position

had

been

vacant

for

more

than14months.

Thethirdfacility,theSouthTexasDetentionComplexinPearsall,Texas,wasthecountryslargest

detentioncenterfacilitywhenitopenedin2005,accommodating1,000ICEdetainees.29Thefor

profitfacility,runbyGEOGroup,Inc.,30continuedtoaddnewdetentionbedsandcannowhold

1904detainees.Atthisfacility designatedtoprovidecareformorecomplicatedandchronic

medicalandmentalhealthconditionsabusewaswidespread,includinglackofadequatemedical


20/33

MissingtheMark 20

care.AtthetimeoftheACLUvisit,thefacilityhadnodentist,nostaffphysician,noHealthService

Administrator,minimalnursingsupport,neitherapsychiatristnorapsychologistonsite.Onlyhalf

ofthemedicalstaffingpositionswerefilledandonlyoneregisterednurseandtwolicensed

vocationalnursesremainedondutyeachnight.AsofOctober2009,thefacilityhadjobopenings

forapsychologist,psychiatrist,dentist,seniorstaffnurseandstaffnurse.31

Thisfacilityheldalargeproportionofgayandtransgenderdetainees,manywithHIV,whofaced

hostilediscriminationfrombothguardsandotherdetainees.Initiallyallgay/transgender

detaineeswereplacedinasegregatedunittoavoidproblems. Manydetaineeslivewith

nightmaresoftorture,violenceand/orsexualassaultthathappenedpriortoincarceration.

Deterioratingmentalhealth,aseriousriskindetention,isexacerbatedbysegregation.OneHIV

positivedetainee,alreadysufferingfromdepressionafterwitnessingthedeathofanother

detaineeatthenowclosedSanPedrofacility,wassegregatedfromthepopulationfornospecified

reason.Hisdepressionincreasedandhewasnotgivenmedicationspreviouslyprescribedto

stabilizethedepression.Duetotheremotenessofthefacilities,fewerdetaineeshadaccessto

legalcounselwhocouldadvocateforneededmedicalandmentalhealthcare.

MANGOINGBLINDFROMLACKOFMEDICALCARE

InMay2007,Mr.Gonzalezwasdetainedat theSantaAnadetentionfacility inCalifornia,

wherehefellandseriouslyinjuredhisshoulder.Whenhesawmedicalstaffatthefacility,he

wasgivenmedicationfor thepain.Severaldays later,whenhewasunable tomoveasa

resultof thefall, hewas transferred to the San Pedro ServiceProcessingCenter.Hewas

taken toanoffsitehospital,wherehe receivedanMRIandwas told thathewouldneed

surgery.Before

he

could

receive

surgery,

he

would

need

DIHS

approval.

Mr.

Gonzalez

was

then transferred to the El Centro Service Processing Center.While at El Centro SPC,Mr.

Gonzalez developed a serious eye infection that resulted in itching and pus. He was

transferredbacktoSanPedrotoreceivetreatment,buttheonsitephysiciandidnothave

theappropriateequipmenttocheckMr.Gonzalezseyes.Mr.Gonzalezwassenttohavehis

eyesexamined,andhewastoldhehadnervedamage.Hewasprescribedeyedrops. Mr.

GonzalezwasthentransferredtotheSTDC inPearsall,Texas,wherehearrivedwiththree

medications: prescription eye drops, Tylenol, and medication for his recentlydiagnosed

diabetes.During intake,Mr.GonzalezwasgivenonlyTylenol,butdidnot receivehis eye

dropsuntil15daysafterhisarrivalanddidnotreceivehisdiabetesmedicationuntil30days

afterhis

arrival.

At

the

time

ACLU

staff

members

visited

STDC

in

March,

Mr.

Gonzalez

was

wearingdarkglassestoprotecthiseyesfromlightandhadaverydifficulttimekeepinghis

eyesopenwithouthisglasses.InalettertotheACLUfromMr.Gonzalez,heexplainsthathe

isgoingblind,andthathisrequestsformedicalattentionhaveyieldednoadditionalcare.


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MissingtheMark 21

d.)WomenUnderserved,atRiskofSexualAssaultsBecausetheyarenotallowedintheclinicatthesametimeasmaledetainees,whocomprisethe

majoritydetaineepopulation,manywomenarenotevenseenbymedicalpersonnel.Although

femaledetaineespresentspecialmedicalneeds,includingtheneedforprenatalcare,therewas

usuallyonly

one

medical

staff

person

with

specialization

in

obstetrics

and

gynecology.

According

toalocaladvocate,womenexamsarenotgivenacrosstheboard.Also,themedicalpersonnel

donotperformaprescreeningforpapsmears.InPearsall,apapsmearisonlyperformedaftera

womanhasbeeninthefacilityforatleastayear.Duetotherelativelysmallnumberofwomen

interviewedforthisreport,womenshealthcareisanareathatneedsadditionalinvestigation.

Moreinformationaboutconditions,particularlyforwomen,hasrecentlycometolight.Kathleen

Baldoni,aformernurseattheWillacydetentionfacility,testifiedataCapitolHillBriefingonJune

24,2009,aboutthelackofadequatehealthcareservicesandresultinghumansufferingatWillacy.

Sheworkedthereonatemporaryassignmentforsixmonthsstartingattheendof2008."Thelevel

ofhumansufferingwasjustunbelievable,"testifiedBaldoni,"Therewasinadequatefoodand

personalitems personalhygienewasaproblem aswasaccesstomedicalcare.32

Shealso

notedthatwomenthereareoftensubjectedtoextremetemperatures,inadequatenutrition,

medicalstaffingshortages,andlongdelaysforcriticallyneededhealthcare.Baldonihaddecided

toendhercontractthreeweeksearly,butwassubsequentlyfiredbythehealthservices

administratorbecauseofherdecisiontospeakpubliclyabouttheconditionsatthefacility.33

Recentdevelopmentshaveprovidedsomereliefforwomenprisoners.InSeptember,ICE

convertedtheT.DonHuttoFamilyResidentialFacilityinTaylor(nearAustin),intoafacilityfor

adultwomen.AllfamilieswerereleasedSept.17.PortionsofthefemalepopulationsfromWillacy

andPearsall,arebeingconsolidatedatHutto,hopefullyallowingbetterdevelopmentand

monitoringof

programs

for

the

special

needs

of

women

detainees.

e.)IneffectiveMonitoringofHIVandAIDSPatientsMedicalcrisesatPearsallareexacerbatedfordetaineeswithHIVandAIDSwhichrequireregular

testingandclosemonitoring.Theshortageofmedicalpersonneltohandlethislargepopulation,

corroboratedbytestimonyofdetainees,raisesmajorquestionsaboutthecapacityofthefacility

tomonitorTCellcountsandviralload.

CarlosDuchesne,DivisionofImmigrationHealthServices(DIHS)topspecialistoninfectious

diseases,

states

that

labs

for

AIDS

patientsmust

be

performed

ASAP

to

know

their

immune

statusandwhereyouarestandinginreferencetodiseasecontrolandmeds.SomeHIV+

detaineesstatedthattheyweretakentoaclinicinSanAntoniotoreceiveacheckupontheirviral

loadandTcellcountsbutotherswerenot. Thosesentoffsitestatedthattheywerenotmade

awareoftheresultsoftheirmedicaltests.Wheninterviewed,medicalpersonnelatPearsallwere

unsureabouthowoftendetaineesaresenttotheclinicforspecialtycare.Althoughdetainees

frequentlyremainatPearsallforseveralmonths,medicalpersonnelneglectedtokeeptrackof

scheduledfollowupappointmentsmadewiththeoutsideclinicalfacility.


22/33

MissingtheMark 22

f.)UseofQuarantineQuestionedAdvocatesquestionedthefrequentpostingofquarantinesforoutbreaksofchickenpox,asmeans

topreventdetaineesfrommeetingwiththeirlegaladvocatesorattendingtimelycourthearings.

InbothMarchandMay2008,PearsallandWillacypostedwarningsignsindicatingthatthe

facilitieshad

ongoing

outbreaks

of

chicken

pox.

Despite

the

quarantine

postings

that

prevented

advocatesfrommeetingwiththeirclients,staffanddetaineesappearedtofreelymoveinandout

ofquarantinedpods.34

g.)DenialofMentalHealthcare,InappropriatePunishmentAlthoughICEstatesthatitprovides31,697typesof

psychologicalservicesand/orpatientcontactthat

impactdetaineesinapositivemanner,35

veryfewof

thedetaineesinterviewedhadknowledgeabout

mentalhealthservicesprovidedbytheirfacilities.

Detaineeswithselfidentifiedmentalhealth

concernshaddifficultyobtainingneeded

medications,lackedcontinuityofcarefollowing

transfers,andhadmedicationsarbitrarilychanged,

reduced,orstoppedaltogether.Legaladvocates

identifiedtheoverallratioofmentalhealthcarestaff

todetaineesasinadequate.Whilesomespecific

caseshavecometotheattentionofadvocates,there

isanalarminggapininformationregardingthe

treatmentofdetaineeswithmentalhealthconcerns

throughoutimmigration

detention

facilities.

Pearsall,thefacilitywhereindividualswithserious

mentalhealthconditionsareoftensent,displayed

suchdeprivationofcareandpunishmentofmentallyilldetaineesthatinJune2007,theChiefof

PsychiatryforDIHSidentifiedacrisisinthementalhealthcareat[Pearsall.,Morethan140

patientsawaitedchartreviewbythefacilitysclinicaldirector,whoappearedtoberefusingto

providementalhealthcareentirely.36

ForthosedetaineesinPearsallluckyenoughtoseeamental

healthcareprovider,theywereunabletogetneededmedicationbecausetheclinicaldirector

wouldnotwriterecommendedprescriptionsandignoredtherecommendationsofthemental

health

specialist.

SeveraldetaineesatPearsallreferredtobeingroutinelyplacedinthehole,confinedifthey

displayedmentalhealthsymptoms.Isolationfrequentlyexacerbatesmentalillnessandleadstoa

deteriorationofadetaineesgeneralhealth.Mentallyilldetaineeshousedinthegeneral

populationarepunishedfrequentlyfortheirinabilitytositstillduringcountorintheirbedsat

night.Detaineeswithmentalillnessesoftenyelled andwereconfused,whichwastakenas

aggressionbytheguards,thoughotherdetaineesrecognizedthisasamanifestationofmental

WOMANNOTGIVENHIVMEDICATION

FORDAYS

Ms. D.2. is an HIVpositive, transgender

womanwho

was

transferred

to

the

Pearsall from the San Pedro Service

ProcessingCenter.Afterher transfer,she

did not receive her HIV medications for

approximately eight days. In early 2008

she stopped taking her medications

because of harsh side effects, including

diarrheaand inability toeatorkeepany

food in her stomach.Despite submitting

several requests to have her medication

modified,she

has

received

little

attention

bythemedicalstaff.


23/33

MissingtheMark 23

illness.Detaineesnoticedfellowdetaineeswithsignsofseriousmentalhealthdeteriorationbeing

givenBenadrylasasedative.

Legaladvocatesreportmedicationbeingalteredpriortocourthearingstomasksymptomsof

mentalillnessandcreatetheappearanceofcompetency.Intherarecaseswheredetaineescases

wereclosed

due

to

incompetence

to

proceed

in

court,

these

individuals

frequently

continue

to

be

detainedwithoutpropermentalhealthcarebecausenopropertreatmentfacilitywasavailablefor

transfer.

Oneexamplerecordedin2007:AlongtermpermanentresidentwasdetainedattheSouthTexas

DetentionComplexinPearsall,Texas,afteryearsofmentalhealthcareinhiscommunity.Hewas

diagnosedwithschizophreniaandbeforehewasdetainedhereceivedtreatmentforabout12

yearsattheVAhospitalandastatehospital.Hewassubjecttomandatorydetentionbuthad

appliedforrelief.

WhileatPearsall,hismedicationwaschangedandhewasrepeatedlyputinisolation.The

physiciantreatingpatientsatPearsalldecidedthatthemanwaspretendingtobeilltogainan

immigrationbenefit,andafterhewasgrantedreliefundertheConventionAgainstTorture,the

DepartmentofHomelandSecuritycontinuedtoholdhimonthebeliefthathewasfeigninga

mentalillness.WhenhewasreleasedhiswifetookhimtotheVAwhereheremainedasan

inpatientforabout6weeksbeforehewasbackontrackwithhismedication.37

h.)Hunger,SpoiledandInsectInfestedFoodThroughouttoursandvisitsofthefacilities,detaineesexpressedseriousconcernswiththe

quantityoffoodprovided,thenutritionalcontent,andthesanitationoftraysandeatingutensils.

Detaineesstated

that

the

food

was

often

cold,

greasy

and

lacking

any

fruit

or

vegetables.

Several

detaineesreportedlyinginordertoreceivehealthierspecialmeals.Detaineesalsoreportedthat

therewasneverenoughfood,andthatpeopleoftenfoughtoverfood.Thosewithmoneyto

purchasefromthecommissarysupplementedtheirmealswithRamennoodles,chips,orother

formsofjunkfood.Thosewithoutresourceswenthungry. Fightsbrokeoutoveruseof

microwavesatPearsall,asdetaineeswaitedinlinetoheatsoup.

Althoughdirect reportsfromdetaineesare limited,Willacyhasahistoryofserving inedible,

spoiledfood. In 2007, extensive media coverage exposed Willacys serving of rancid and

spoiledfood

to

detainees,

who

reported

insects

and

maggots

in

their

meals.

In

aFebruary

23,

2007radiointerview,JodiGoodwin,alocalattorney,statedthatinNovember2006shevisited

Willacyandwhen[I]openedthedoorandsaidBuenosdias.Comoestantodos? Andthey

respondedtome, MuriendodehambreWeredyingofhunger.And,youknow,this isjust

theirimmediatereactiontosomeonecominginandasking,Howareyou?


24/33

MissingtheMark 24

Detaineesstatedthatspecialdietsformedicalandreligiouspurposesareinconsistentlyrespected.

Somedetaineesreportednotreceivingadietappropriatetotheirhealthand/orreligiousneeds.

DetaineeshavebeentoldthatKosherorHalaalfoodistooexpensive.

AtPortIsabelinLosFresnos,Texasdetaineesareallowedoutsideacoupleofhourseachday,in

arecreation

area

about

half

the

size

of

abasketball

court.

During

off

hours,

the

door

leading

to

the

recreationarearemainslocked.AtthetimeofthefirstACLUvisit,theonewashingmachinefor75

peoplewasmissing.Nexttothebeds,anareawassectionedoffareafortoilets,sinksand

showers,butprovidednoprivacy.However,duringourtour,theareawascoveredwithsheetsto

createatemporarysemblanceofprivacy.

AtPearsallsSouthTexasDetentionComplexallofthehousingunitsareoffofanarrow1,300foot

longhallway,withthewomenswingononesideandthemenswingontheother.Thehousing

unitviewedbytheACLUwasapodwithcapacityfor100detainees.Unliketheotherfacilities

toured,toiletswereseparatedbysmallpartitionsthatgavedetaineessomesenseofprivacy.

Thereweretwotelevisionsetsintheroomandtwomicrowaves. UnlikethepodsinWillacysbrick

building,theGEOofficersatnearthedoorlookingoutontotheentireroom.Atthefarendofthe

roomtherewereseveralbanksofphonesandadoortotherecreationyard,ahighwalled

prisonlikearea.

i.)InconsistentAccesstoReligiousMaterialsandServicesAlthoughfacilitypersonnelclaimdetaineeshaveadequateaccesstoreligiousservicesand

materials,detaineesinallthreefacilitiesstatedthataccesstoreligiousserviceswaslimitedand

problematic.NondenominationalchaplainsoncontractwithICEDROallowrepresentativesfrom

differentfaithgroupstocomeintothefacilityandperformservices.ButinPortIsabelasaresult

ofthe

loss

of

an

Imam,

Muslim

services

are

often

canceled.

In

March

2008,

adetainee

reported

thatMuslimshadbeenwithoutservicesfortwoweeks.Detaineesalsoexpressedconcernthat

someoftheMuslimserviceswerebeingvideotaped.Thefacilitydeniedthisreport.

DetaineesoffaithsotherthanChristianorCatholicmustfilloutspecialrequeststoretainreligious

materialssuchasprayerrugsandprayerbeads,whilerosariesareallowedwithoutspecial

documentation.ThreetransgenderorgayinmateswhoweresegregatedatPearsallare

additionallyprohibitedfromattendingreligiousserviceswiththegeneralmalepopulation.

Instead,theyareonlypermittedtoattendwiththefemalepopulation.Boththemenandthe

womenfeltuncomfortableduringtheseservicesandasaresultthesegregateddetaineesno

longer

attend

religious

services

of

any

kind.

j.)VisitationLimited,LawLibrariesandTelephoneAccessInsufficientThetraditionalvisitationrightsofmaintainingfamilyconnectionsandenablingdetaineesto

receivehelpfromrelativesandfriendswiththeirlegalcaseisoftenmissing.Alargepopulationof

detainees,transferredfromasfarawayasCalifornia,Florida,NewYorkandNewJersey,are

deprivedofvisitingfamilyandfriendswhocannotaffordthetimeormoneytotravel.Long


25/33

MissingtheMark 25

distancetransfersalsolimitorpreventdetaineeaccesstodocumentsandotherevidence,

witnesses,andlegalserviceproviders.

Womenaresodiscriminatedagainstthataccesstolawlibrariesinallfacilitieswasseverely

impaired;theyonlyhaveaccessononespecificdayoftheweek. Limitedslotsforusingthelaw

libraryfail

to

accommodate

all

the

female

detainees

requesting

access.

In

most

instances,

immigrationdetaineeshavenorighttoappointedcounselandthreequartersofthemrepresent

themselves.Unlikesuspectschargedincriminalcourts,detaineesaccusedofimmigration

violationsdonothavearighttoanattorney,andthreequartersofthemrepresentthemselves.

EventhosewithclaimstoU.S.citizenshipfrequentlymaneuverontheirownthrougha

complicatedsystem.

Thosewhocannotaffordtopayforcounselhavetwo

options:eitherrepresentthemselves(prose)or,inlimited

circumstances,obtaintheservicesofafree(probono)

attorney.AccordingtoExecutiveOfficeforImmigration

Review(EOIR)

the

Department

of

Justice

agency

that

runs

thenationsimmigrationcourts betweenOctober1,2006,

andSeptember30,2007,approximately84percentof

detainedrespondentswithcompletedimmigrationcourt

proceedingslackedrepresentation.38

Duetothelargenumberofprosecases,accesstothelawlibrariesisveryimportant.Important

pagesoflegalmaterialsarereportedlyrippedout,andlegalsoftwareandprogramsonthe

computershavebeenremovedatsomefacilities.

Detaineesfrequentlywaitlongperiodstomakeacallbecauseofalackofphones.Tollfree

numberscannotbeaccessedconsistently,includingnumbersforfreelegalassistanceandreferral,theEOIRhotline,andnumberstofileformalgrievances.Allcallsmadefromthephonesinthe

dormitoriesarerecorded,includingprivilegedcommunicationswithattorneys.

Immigration detainees have

no right toappointedcounsel

andthree

quarters

of

them

or

morerepresentthemselves.


26/33

MissingtheMark 26

V.LIVINGINANOCCUPIEDZONE(AlsoseeappendedACLUofTexasreportOperationBorderStar:WastedMillionsandMissed

Opportunities)

a.)LawEnforcementAuthorityintheBorderlandsTheresidentsoftheU.SMexicoborderdeserveaccountablelawenforcementfromthe

DepartmentofHomelandSecurityagenciesthatnowrepresentthelargestpolicingpresencein

manybordercommunities:U.S.BorderPatrol,CustomsandBorderProtectionandImmigration

andCustomsEnforcement. U.S.BorderPatrolalonehasover20,000agents,approximately18,000

ofwhomarestationedontheU.S.Mexicoborderatanyonetime.

Between2005and2009U.S.BorderPatrolalmostdoubledinsize,adding9,000newagent

positions.Toachievethis,theagencystoppedrequiringahighschooldiplomaorGEDasa

qualificationforrecruitsanddrasticallyshortenedthetraining.ByOctober2008,halfoftheagents

inthefieldhadbeenonthejoblessthantwoyears.

Thisrapidexpansionwascriticized

bytheheadoftheBorderPatrol

union,whoexpressedconcerns

aboutthequalityofnewrecruits

andthelongtermimpactonthe

force.Lessqualified,undertrained

andgreenagentsareeasierto

corrupt.Theseagentsarealsoless

likelytoknowandfollow

departmentrules

and

their

conductismorelikelytoleadto

civilrightsviolations.

WhileBorderPatrolhasbeen

grantedbroadsearchauthority

underU.S.lawwithin100milesof

theactualborder,racialprofilingis

expresslyprohibitedasareviolationsofFourthAmendmentrighttobefreefromunreasonable

searchesandseizures. BorderPatrolagentsarenotlegallypermittedtorelysolelyonthefactthat

the

driver

or

passengers

of

a

vehicle

appear

to

be

of

Mexican

descent.

39

Supreme

Court

decisions

haveleftplentyofwiggleroomforthepolicebyprovidingalistofcircumstancesthatcould

constitutereasonablesuspicionforavehiclestop.Itincluded,butwasnotlimitedto:vehicle

proximitytotheborder,driverbehavior,sizeofthevehicle,numberofpassengers,andeventhe

modeofdressandhaircuttypicalofindividualsfromforeigncountries.40


U.S. Border Patrol agents patrol the Rio Grande River in Texas.


27/33

MissingtheMark 27

TheselegalloopholesmeanarbitraryBorderPatrolstopsalongtheborderareacommonfactof

life. Locallawenforcementagenciesengageinthisprofilingtoo,particularlywhenthey

participateinimmigrationenforcement.

LocallawenforcementlacktheauthorityunderTexaslawtomakearrestsformostimmigration

violations.They

should

not

be

engaged

in

stopping

or

arresting

individuals

for

most

immigration

relatedviolationsoflaw. BeingintheUnitedStateswithoutpermissiondoesnotconstitutea

crimeperse;itisacivilviolationoffederalimmigrationlaw.

Thereisahugegapbetweenthelawanddailyreality.Locallawenforcementareknowntopull

overvehiclesandifthedriverorpassengersspeakonlySpanishoraredressedMexican,the

officercallsBorderPatrol. Beforetheofficerhasfinishedwritingatrafficcitationforspeedingor

notwearingaseatbelt,BorderPatrolhasarrivedandstartedinterrogatingthepassengersabout

theirimmigrationstatus. ThiscollaborationbetweenlocallawenforcementandBorderPatrol

leadstoalackoftrustbetweenlocalcommunitiesandthepoliceandsheriffsdepartmentssworn

toprotectthem.

Tensofmillionsofstateandfederaldollarshavegoneto

locallawenforcementinthevalleyforborder

enforcementoverthepastfouryears.41

Becauseofthe

lackoftraining,standardsandguidanceinhowtouse

theseresources,somedepartmentshaveusedthe

fundingtoharasslocalresidentswithincreasedtraffic

stops,vehiclesearches,andunlawfulimmigration

enforcementactivities.42

Borderresidents

want

to

be

protected

and

police

civilian

relations

have

been

undermined

by

increasedlawenforcementpresencewithoutimprovedtrainingandcommunicationbetween

residentsandlawenforcement.

b.)HumanRightsPrinciplesUseofLatinoappearanceasaproxyforimmigrationstatusviolatesseveralinternationaland

nationalhumanrightslaws:theInternationalConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofRacial

Discrimination,theFifthAmendmentoftheUnitedStatesConstitution,theInternationalCovenant

onCivilandPoliticalRights, andtheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights.

Local law enforcement are known

to pull over vehicles and if the

driver or passengers speak only

SpanishoraredressedMexican,

theofficercallsBorderPatrol.


28/33

MissingtheMark 28

VI.LIVINGWITHTHEBORDERWALLa.)EconomicinequityandpropertyrightsviolationsthreatenawayoflifeTheBorderWallalongtheLowerRioGrandeborderbetweenTexasandMexicoisataleof

propertyseizure,

cost

overruns,

possible

corruption

and

discrimination

against

ordinary

people.

Inthenameofhomelandsecurity,centuriesof

ownership,communityspiritandpublicplacesarebeing

tornapart.Herearesomereallifetalesinthepathof

theBorderWall.

LastFebruary,DanielGarzastoodinhisyard,alush

gardenofgreenbushesandscarletflowers.Hepeered

througharisingveilofgreydustashugetrucksand

bulldozersrolledpastonunpavedroads.Instrong

windsmytreesarecoatedwhite,hesaid,pointingtoa

rowoftreesalongsidethechurningdirt. Thenoiseof

thetrucksawakenedhimat6a.m.todayasmostdays.

Theconstantgrindingnoisesdoesntstopuntilwellafter

dark.

Garzawatchedthefranticpushtofinishaplanned20

mileborderleveewallinHidalgoCounty,pricedata

staggering$12millionamile,farmoreexpensivethan

earliergovernmentestimatesof$4millionpermile.

Itcould

have

been

worse

for

Garza.

A

much

publicized

protest

along

with

compromises

by

communityadvocatesandDepartmentofHomelandSecurityofficials, stoppedthewallfrom

rippingthroughhisneatbrickhome.GarzaslandbumpsupagainsttheborderofGranjeno,a

blinkandyouvemisseditenclaveoflessthan400people.Atthetime,allbutfourmilesofthis

stretchthatcombinesreconstructionofanexistingleveeandawallhavebeencompleted.

Tohim,federalnomenclaturelikefenceandtacticalinfrastructurearemildeuphemisms.In

someareas,opponentsoftheBorderWallsaythesolidconcretebarriermoreresemblesthe

BerlinWall.Meanwhile,thewallcontinuestorise.TheObamaAdministrationhashonoredthe

previousadministrationscommitmenttocompletetheBorderWall.

Garza,abronzed76yearoldformermigrantfarmandcanneryworkerlookshealthierthanheis

ashegreetsunannouncedvisitorswithastronghandshake,wearingapalebluestarched

guayaberaandagoldweddingband.Mr.Garzasillwifeisinside.Retiredwithadisability,Garza

hascoloncancerandhashadopenheartsurgery,buthisfiercefightforhislandremainsstrong.

Wemadealotofnoise,Garzasayswithasmile.Ihadalotofhelp,peoplelikeTexasRio

GrandeLegalAid.43

Whenhisfightfirstbeganmorethanayearago,Garzaremarkedonthe

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Man climbs the border wall near Brownsville, TX


29/33

MissingtheMark 29

selectiveplanforconfiscatinglandfor

theborderwallandpointedtothe

horizon.Allofthatlandoverthereis

ownedbytheHunts,Dallasbillionaire

RayL.Huntandhisrelatives,oneofthe

wealthiestoil

and

gas

dynasties

in

the

world.Thewalldoesntgothere.44

Moneytalksandwedonthaveit,he

said.

LikeseveralothersinGranjeno,Garza

isadescendantofpioneerfamilieswho

weregrantedlandintheRioGrande

ValleybyKingCarlosofSpainin1767.

Hisancestorsareburiedinthewell

kepttowncemetery.

Myfathertoldmenever,neversellthisplace.Keepitbeautiful.

b.)DestructionofSacredSpace:ViolationofCultural&ReligiousFreedomsBorderwallconstructiondirectlythreatenstheculturalandreligiousfreedomsforindigenous

tribesaswellasforthelandownerswhoseculturaltiestothelandaredeeplyrooted.

Whilethemediaandpoliticianssensationalizetheborderasalawlessoutpostteamingwithdrug

cartelsmugglersandterrorists,tothe6millionresidentsoftheborderlands,theborderisnota

warzone.

It

is

the

heart

of

their

history,

the

birthplace

of

ahybrid

culture,

it

is

home

where

they

andtheirchildrenhavelivedpeacefully.Strugglestoevadethefencearenotmerelyaboutthe

righttopropertyandjustcompensation,theyareaboutculturalsurvivalandrootswhichresidents

claimcannotbereplacedwithamonetaryvalue. AsEloisaTamezstates,Wetalkaboutextinct

species. Weareabouttobecomeanextinctculture.45

SuchculturallossismatchedbyanattackonthereligiousrightsoffirstnationspeoplesinSouth

Texas. WhenformerDepartmentofHomelandSecurity(DHS)SecretaryMichaelChertoffcallously

waivedlawsthatprotectindigenousreligiousrights,sacredburiallandandcustomswereviolated.

Theselawsinclude:TheNativeAmericanGravesProtectionAct(NAGPRA),46

whichrequires

federal

officials

to

consult

with

tribes

prior

to

taking

any

action

which

could

disrupt

burial

sites;

TheAmericanIndianReligiousFreedomAct(AIRFA),47

whichensuresaccesstoreligioussitesand

requiresconsultationbetweenthegovernmentandtribalofficialstodetermineappropriate

procedurestoprotectaccessandotherreligiousrights;48

theReligiousFreedomRestoration

Act,49whichordersstrictscrutinybeappliedwhenaviolationoftheFreeExerciseClauseofthe

FirstAmendmentiscommittedbyafederalactor.50

WaivingsuchlawsnotonlythreatensU.S.

firstamendmentrights,severalInternationalConventionsarealsojeopardized.51


U.S. Border Patrol agents patrol the Rio Grande River


30/33

MissingtheMark 30

Giventhecostandrightsviolations,theBorderWallisseriousbusiness.Stillsomesituationsare

absurd.

ItisalongandlonelydrivethroughflatlandtoBrownsville,some68milesawayfromGranjeno.

There,onTheUniversityofTexasatBrownsvilleandTexasSouthmostCollege(UTB/TSC)sitsone

ofthe

more

curious

border

wall

concoctions,

awall

going

from

nowhere

to

nowhereand

less

thanamilelong.Thoughhardtoclimbover,itiseasyenoughtowalkaround.

Whenthedesignfortheplanned

borderwallthreatenedtobisectthe

campus,monthsoflegalbattles

ensued.OnJuly31st,2008,DHSand

theuniversityreachedanagreement

whichendedallcondemnationand

courtproceedings.Thecompromise

includedrepairingandheighteningan

existingfenceandledtoabizarre

structureonaportionofUTcampus

atopahilloverlookingaplayingfield

equippedwithlightsfornightgames.

Wirefencingisinsertedbetween

whiteconcretepillars,setseveralfeet

apart.Itislessthanamilelong.

SlimdarkhairedElizabethGarciaoftheCoalitionofAmigosinSolidarity&Action(CASA)stands

withherbacktothefinalpillarwherethewallends.Shestretchesherarmsoutwide,asifdoing

calisthenics.

Itstops

nothing.

Here

is

one

arm

in

Mexico

and

one

arm

in

the

United

States!

The

RioGrandeRivercannotbeseenfromhere;theviewfromthewalloffersaviewofabaseball

practicefield.Theoriginaldesignwouldhaveleftcampusbuildingsononesideofthewallandthis

fieldareaontheother.Ifyouwantedtocometoabaseballgameandhadnopassportwithyou,

youcouldntgo,shesaid.

GarciaoncelivedinArizonawheretheBorderWallwasinmybackyard.Themilitarizationofthe

wallwasterrible;agentsontheground,lowflyinghelicopters,checkpointsallovertheplace,

constantscrutinybysheriffsandpoliceman.Iwasdepressedeveryday.Ifthewallherecontinues

itwillbedevastatingforourchildren.

LikesomanyintheRioGrandeValley,Garza seesthewallasasenselessboondoggle,tearing

throughtheirland,costingtaxpayersbillionswhileenrichingcompanieslikeBoeingCorp.and

failingtostopdrugcartelsandtraffickers.AsofAugust2008,Boeing,theleadcontractorinthe

BorderWallconstruction,hadbeenawarded$993milliononitsthreeyearcontract,accordingto

theGovernmentAccountingOffice.52

Thewallwasneverintendedtocoverthe1,969milesof

bordersoitwillhavehugegapsbetweenfencedsegments.(MelissaDelBosqueoftheTexas

Observernotesthattherewillbeabout21differentsegmentsoffencebuiltalongtheTexas

Photo credit: Gerald L. Nino

A U.S. Border Patrol bicycle unit on patrol in McAllen, TX


31/33

MissingtheMark 31

Mexicobordersomeunderamilelong,someaslongas13miles.53)AsGarzahasnoted,where

thefencestopsdotheyreallythinkpeoplewontgoaround?ScottNicoloftheNoBorderWall

coalitionsayseventheBorderPatrolestimatesthatthewallwouldmerelyslowsomeonedown

byonlyfiveminutes.Allofthisforslowingdown?54


32/33

MissingtheMark 32

1Dr.DoraSchriro,ImmigrationandDetentionOverviewandRecommendations,ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement,

HomelandSecurity,October6,2009. Thereportskeyrecommendationsare:

ICEshouldestablishasystemofImmigrationDetentionwiththerequisitemanagementtoolsandinformationalsystemstodetainandsupervisealiensinasettingconsistentwithassessedrisk. ICEshouldprovideprogramstothedetained

populationcommensuratewithassessedneedandcreatecapacitywithintheorganizationtoassessandimprovedetention

operations.

Incoordinationwithstakeholders,ICEshoulddevelopanewsetofstandards,assessments,andclassificationtoolstoinformcare,custodyrestrictions,privileges,programs,anddeliveryofservicesconsistentwithrisklevelandmedicalneedsofthe

population. ICEshouldexpandaccesstolegalmaterialsandcounsel,visitation,religiouspractice. ICEshouldalsodevelop

uniqueprovisionsforservingspecialpopulationssuchaswomen,families,andasylumseekers.

ICEshouldestablishawellmanagedmedicalcaresystem,withcomprehensiveinitialassessmentstoinformhousingassignmentsandongoingcaremanagement.ICEshouldestablishclearstandardsofcarefordetaineesandmonitor

conditionssystematically.

ICEshouldprovidefederaloversightofkeydetentionoperationsandtrackperformanceandoutcomes.Itshouldplaceexpertfederalofficialsonsitetooverseedetentionoperations,tointercedeasnecessary,andtoensurethatthereare

appropriategrievanceanddisciplinaryprocesses.2CBSNews,BorderFencetoCost$6.5billionOver20Years.September17,2009,

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/17/national/main5317298.shtml3MariaAvila,ValleyHasHighestUnemploymentRatesinTexas,KGBTTV,October17,2008,

http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=364363

(accessed

November

19,

2009).

4TexasPolitics,PovertyinTexas,http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/12_2_0.html(accessedNovember9,2009).

5Castanedav.Partida,430U.S.482(5thCir.1977).

6Bernalv.Fainter,467U.S.216(1984).

7UnitedStatesv.BrignoniPonce,422U.S.873(1975).

8RioGrandeGuardian,LUPE:LaJoyapoliceneedtosticktopolicing,notimmigrationmatters,May11,2008,

http://www.lupenet.org/new_site/_board.php/?b_code=news&b_no=85&c=view&page=29Id.

10Rev.PabloMatta,andPamelaVaughn.Sheriffalterspoliciesoncheckpoints,ElPasoTimes,May112008.

11 TheBusinessofDetention,Profits,http://businessofdetention.com/profits.php

12Dr.DoraSchriro,ImmigrationandDetentionOverviewandRecommendations,ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement,

HomelandSecurity,October6,2009,page6.13

Dr.DoraSchriro,ImmigrationandDetentionOverviewandRecommendations,ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement,


Margot

Mendelson,

Shayna

Strom,

and

Michael

Wishnie,

Collateral

Damage:

An

Examination

of

ICEs

Fugitive

Operations

Program,MigrationPolicyInstitute,February2009,http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/NFOP_Feb09.pdf15

TrevorGardnerIIandAartiKohli.(September2009).TheCAPEffect:RacialProfilingintheICECriminalAlienProgram.Chief

JusticeEarlWarrenInstituteonRace,EthnicityandDiversity(WarrenInstitute)atUCBerkeleySchoolofLaw(BerkeleyLaw).

Accessibleathttp://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/policybrief_irving_FINAL.pdf16



AmericanImmigrationLawyersAssociation,RestoreFairnessandDueProcess,ImmigrationLawsGoTooFar,May2002,

http://www.immigrationlinks.com/news/news1428.htm18

InterviewwithJaimeDiezbyMyraMacPherson,February18,2009..19



GaryE.Mead,SubcommitteeonImmigration,Citizenship,Refugees,BorderSecurityandInternationalLaw,Immigrationand

CustomsEnforcement,http://www.ice.gov/doclib/pi/news/testimonies/garymead_testimony

_ice_interrogation_detention_and_removal_procedures.pdf],13

February

2008

21InternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights,Article10,99U.N.T.S.171,19December1966.TheUnitedStateshasalso

ratifiedtheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofRacialDiscrimination(CERD)andtheConventionAgainstTortureand

OtherorDegradingTreatmentofPunishment(CAT),includingtheguaranteethateveryone,regardlessofnationality,hasarightto

practicehis/herreligionandtobetreatedequallyunderthelaw.22

DIHSservesastheauthorityandproviderofcarefordetaineeshousedinDIHSstaffeddetentioncenters,andDIHSalso

overseesthefinancialauthorizationandpaymentforoffsitespecialtyandemergencycarefordetaineesinICEcustody.Detainee

HealthCareFactSheet,ICEDRO,7May2008.23

DetaineeHealthCare,ICEDRO,7May2008.24

TheGEOGroupInc.,Q42008earnings,Calltranscript,February12,2009,accessedfromalpha.com.


33/33

25

FoxButterfieldandEricLichtblau,TheReachOfWar:TheCongress;ScreeningofPrisonOfficialsIsFaultedbyLawmakers,The

NewYorkTimes,May21,2004,

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE0DA113FF932A15756C0A9629C8B63&scp=9&sq=Lane+McCotter&st=nyt26

DemocracyNow,Raymondville:InsidetheLargestImmigrationPrisonCampintheUS,February27,2009,

http://www.democracynow.org/2007/2/23/raymondville_inside_the_largest_immigration_prison27

HomelandSecurityDivisionofImmigrationHealthServices,JobOpenings,https://jobsdihs.icims.com/jobs/intro(accessed

October14,

2009).

28InterviewwithBrotherAlbertPhillipbyMyraMacPherson,February18,2009.

29U.S.ImmigrationsandCustomsEnforcement,SouthTexasDetentionComplexOpeningToday,May17,2007,

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/SNA051705.htm30

HernanRozemberg,Immigrantscriticizementalhealthcarefordetainees,SanAntonioExpressNews,October24,2007,

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/MYSA102507_01A_detaineehealth_3381049_html1000.html31

HomelandSecurityDivisionofImmigrationHealthServices,JobOpenings,https://jobsdihs.icims.com/jobs/intro(accessed

October14,2009).32

HumanRightsWatch,US:ImmigrationPolicyHarmsWomen,Families.June24,2009,

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/06/24/usimmigrationpolicyharmswomenfamilies33

FlorenceDethy,Localnursetestifiesaboutdetaineeabuse.TheBlade(Toledo,Ohio),June25,2009,viaFactiva.34

LegalAdvocatesMeeting,Harlingen,Texas,March28,2008.35

DetaineeHealthCare,ICEDRO,May7,2008.36

DanaPriestandAmyGoldstein,SuicidesPointtoGapsinTreatment,WashingtonPost,13May2008.37

InterviewwithJavierMaldonado,counselforanimmigrantdetainee,byRebeccaBernhardt.38

NinaSiulucetal,ImprovingEfficiencyandPromotingJusticeintheImmigrationSystem,VeraInstitute,May2008,

http://www.vera.org/publication_pdf/477_877.pdf.39

Seeid.at886.40

Ibidat884885.41

LocallawenforcementinTexasareeligibleforfederalbordersecurityfundingfromatleastthreefederalsources:Operation

Stonegarden,distributedandmonitoredbyFEMA;JusticeAssistanceGrants(JAG),distributedbytheDepartmentofJustice

throughtheState,andaCongressionallyMandatedAwardof$4.5milliondirectlyallocatedtotheTexasBorderSheriffsCoalition,

whichdistributesthemoneytoitsmembersheriffsdepartments.ThereisadditionalTexasstatefundingallocatedforborder

securityoperationstothesesamepoliceandsheriffsdepartments.Noentityoverseesthefederalfundingsourcestoprevent

conflictinggoalsorduplicativefunding.$75.4millionwereallocatedtothesouthernborderregionthroughOperationStonegarden

forFY2009alone.Ofthat,Texaswasallocated$29.5million.42

OnSeptember10,2007,OteroCountySheriffsDepartmentperformedanoperationfundedbythefederalOperation

Stonegarden

Grant

which

led

to

the

violation

of

fourth

amendment

rights

for

families

living

in

Chaparral,

NM.

The

ACLU

of

New

Mexicosuedthecountyonbehalfofanumberofthesefamiliesresultinginasettlementthatledtoarevisedstandardoperational

procedurewithregardstoinquiryintoimmigrationstatus.http://www.aclu.org/immigrantsrights/familiessueoterocounty

sheriffsoverillegalimmigrationraids43

InterviewwithDanielGarzabyMyraMacPherson,February19,2009.44MelissadelBosque,BorderWallBypassesRich,DestroysHomesOfPoor,TexasObserver,February19,2008.45

PersonalcommunicationfromEloisaTameztoMyraMacPherson,May,14,2008.46

NativeAmericanGravesProtectionRepatriationAct,25U.S.C.3001,1990.47

AmericanIndianReligiousFreedomAct,42U.S.C.1996,1978.48

B.NunezNetoandY.Kim,BorderSecurity:BarriersAlongtheU.S.InternationalBorder,CongressionalResearchService,May

13,2008.49

FreedomRestorationAct,42U.S.C.2000bb,1993.50

B.NunezNetoandY.Kim,BorderSecurity:BarriersAlongtheU.S.InternationalBorder,CongressionalResearchService,May

13,2008.51

International

Covenant

on

Economic,

Social,

and

Cultural

Rights,

Article

18.

52MelissadelBosque,BorderWallintheNews,TexasObserver,February7,2009.

53DemocracyNow,HolesintheWall,radiointerviewwithMelissadelBosque, February27,2008,

http://www.democracynow.org/2008/2/27/holes_in_the_wall_texas_border54

InterviewwithScottNicolbyMyraMacPherson,February25,2009.

Documents

2009 Missing the Mark