Over 440,000 people will be detained by the U.S. government this year. Women, children, the elderly, asylum seekers, torture victims and even long-time permanent residents will be detained for months - in some cases years - awaiting a determination on their status. Many of these people will be detained without a judicial hearing or access to an attorney in a nation that prides itself on the rule of law and due process. Will the Obama adminstration create real immigration reform to ensure the people who come to our shores are treated fairly? What is happening at the grassroots to make this happen?
Dave talks with Jacqueline Esposito, the policy coordinator at Detention Watch Network, about a recent "national week of action" to spotlight the need for greater accountability at the Department of Homeland Security and demand due process and fundamental human rights be respected in immigration enforcement and detention practices. He is also joined by Amy Dudley, an organizer with Rural Organizing Project, who talks about what's happening in Oregon to bring about humane immigration reform.
- KBOO