America's promise of civil rights applies to immigrants too, representatives of the ACLU/SC told a United Nations expert making a special visit in Los Angeles. Attorneys from the ACLU/SC met with the U.N.'s Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants, Jorge Bustamante, at the start of his three-week fact-finding mission to the U.S.

Staff attorney Ranjana Natarajan raised concerns about the treatment of immigrants in federal detention centers, where 230,000 people were held last year. "The number of immigrants in federal detention has increased dramatically, and we have received disturbing reports about the government's failure to respect their civil rights," she said.

The ACLU/SC has won the release of more than a dozen people held in violation of federal rules as they sought legal U.S. residency.

Staff Attorney Belinda Escobasa Helzer described what happens when local law enforcement becomes involved in federal immigration law.

"Immigrants are more vulnerable to criminals than the population at large, and when local police become immigration cops, it makes it less likely that immigrants will come forward to report crimes," she said.

The Special Rapporteur's visit began April 30 and ends May 18 in Washington, D.C. Bustamante will issue a report to the U.N. Human Rights Council about rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S. The ACLU/SC believes immigrants living in the U.S. deserve civil rights and should not face discrimination or harassment based on their status.

Date

Friday, May 4, 2007 - 12:00am

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America's promise of civil rights applies to immigrants too, representatives of the ACLU/SC told a United Nations expert making a special visit in Los Angeles. Attorneys from the ACLU/SC met with the U.N.'s Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants, Jorge Bustamante, at the start of his three-week fact-finding mission to the U.S.

Staff attorney Ranjana Natarajan raised concerns about the treatment of immigrants in federal detention centers, where 230,000 people were held last year. "The number of immigrants in federal detention has increased dramatically, and we have received disturbing reports about the government's failure to respect their civil rights," she said.

The ACLU/SC has won the release of more than a dozen people held in violation of federal rules as they sought legal U.S. residency.

Staff Attorney Belinda Escobasa Helzer described what happens when local law enforcement becomes involved in federal immigration law.

"Immigrants are more vulnerable to criminals than the population at large, and when local police become immigration cops, it makes it less likely that immigrants will come forward to report crimes," she said.

The Special Rapporteur's visit began April 30 and ends May 18 in Washington, D.C. Bustamante will issue a report to the U.N. Human Rights Council about rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S. The ACLU/SC believes immigrants living in the U.S. deserve civil rights and should not face discrimination or harassment based on their status.

Date

Friday, May 4, 2007 - 12:00am

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The ACLU of Southern California asked L.A. Police Chief William Bratton to conduct a complete and open investigation of the shocking police action that ended a mostly peaceful May 1 protest for immigrant rights. Local television news showed police using batons, rubber bullets, and tear gas on marchers and members of the media.

"L.A. police officers bullied marchers and media in an ugly show of force," wrote ACLU/SC Executive Director Ramona Ripston. "By all reports, including those from police, the daylong demonstration was largely peaceful. Yet police brought a day of hope for thousands of immigrants to a shocking end."

The ACLU/SC supported Chief Bratton's call for investigation. The letter also recalled the ACLU/SC's lawsuit in 2000 on behalf of members of the media attacked by police during the Democratic National Convention.

"As in 2000, we will investigate all claims of civil liberties violations during Tuesday's march and work to end a history of police actions that threaten to silence the hopeful message of thousands and damage the integrity of a free media," the letter stated.

Date

Wednesday, May 2, 2007 - 12:00am

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