Analysis

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operates a system of approximately 200 immigration jails across the country, depriving thousands of people of their liberty. Over the last three decades, the ICE detention system has grown drastically as Congress has continued to massively fund immigration enforcement agencies and multiple presidential administrations have increased their reliance on detention. During this time, advocates, people in detention, and journalists have documented the extensive history of abuse, neglect, and death inside ICE detention centers, leading to a consensus that immigration detention must be phased out. Across the country, communities are leading the charge to reduce immigration detention by passing state legislation to limit the ability of local governments and private prison companies to enter into agreements with ICE.