Apparent immigration detention abuses spark calls in Colorado for reform

The detention policies of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in Colorado and the network of facilities that has grown here in the last few years are drawing increasing attention among local lawmakers and human rights organizations.

Critics of the system say men and women held on suspicion of immigration violations in the state are housed in conditions that rival those established for violent criminal offenders, that the immigrants are becoming fodder for a booming detention industry, and that detainees are often difficult to locate in the tangle of state facilities, which include unlisted so-called subfield offices.

Colorado Latino leaders work to derail proposed census boycott

As a proposed national Latino census boycott receives increased media attention, many Latino and immigrant organizations in Colorado say they’re thankful the movement hasn’t taken hold so far in the Centennial State.

“We’re hoping it doesn’t become a huge issue here,” said Chandra Russo spokeswoman for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. “Latinos gain strength in numbers. Diminish the numbers and you diminish the influence and power of Latinos. Only uninformed people would propose something of this nature. They’re not aware of the damage they might do.”

5 Years In Iraq: The Costs of War

 

UPDATED:17 March 12 p.m.