WASHINGTON, D.C.—On March 24, the Acacia Center for Justice (Acacia), Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights (RFKHR), and ACLU of Louisiana (ACLU-LA) published a new guide that trains attorneys, advocates, and grassroots organizations how to provide legal services in immigration detention facilities.
The guide directs practitioners through the process of obtaining and maintaining access to ICE facilities. It also offers best practices for conducting legal rights presentations and providing other legal resources for detained immigrants, as well as engaging with various government stakeholders.
“Too often we hear about the dysfunction of the immigration court system and its record backlogs without hearing about the obvious solution: access to legal services,” said Anthony Enriquez, VP of U.S. Advocacy and Litigation at RFKHR. “Legal rights presentations and other legal resources for detained people enhance the efficiency and accuracy of immigration court proceedings. They are also a vital lifeline for people in detention solely for seeking a better life or fleeing persecution in their country of origin.”
The first section of the guide outlines the legal framework for securing access to ICE facilities for the purpose of providing legal services, complete with suggested arguments when communicating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and other stakeholders. The second section of the guide highlights a real-life case study and best practices.
“We are honored to work alongside advocates nationwide who defend the rights of people in detention,” said Kel White, associate director of learning and development at the Acacia Center for Justice. “We are especially grateful to the providers who shared their best practices and to our co-authors for their relentless advocacy. While immigration laws evolve and as immigration enforcement expands, key tools like this resource remain essential to safeguarding the legal rights of people in detention.”
“We are so excited to share this guide, informed by the many visits that the ACLU of Louisiana has conducted visiting detention centers and sharing know your rights information,” said Nora Ahmed, legal director of the ACLU of Louisiana. “While it may seem difficult to navigate how best to provide know your rights information to people in detention, this guide will ensure you know how to do so.”
The guide also unpacks the laws, policies, and standards that govern immigration detention facilities, explaining ICE’s legal obligations and requirements.
Practitioners, community organizations, and Legal Service Providers (LSPs) can access the guide for free here.
About the Acacia Center for Justice
The Acacia Center for Justice is a nonprofit organization that builds, strengthens, and expands a network of immigrant legal defense programs through partnerships with immigrant legal services organizations across the country who provide legal defense to immigrants at risk of detention or deportation.
About the ACLU of Louisiana
The ACLU of Louisiana leads the charge to protect the civil rights and liberties of Louisianians, especially those most marginalized and historically harmed. True to our founding during the Civil Rights Movement, we are fearless in the face of intimidation and fight tirelessly to protect and empower Louisiana’s Black, Brown, Immigrant, and LGBTQ+ communities. We are part of a nationwide network of affiliates working in courts, legislatures, and communities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.
About Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that has worked to realize Robert F. Kennedy’s dream of a more just and peaceful world since 1968. In partnership with local activists, we advocate for key human rights issues— championing change makers and pursuing strategic litigation at home and around the world. And to ensure change that lasts, we foster a social-good approach to business and investment and educate millions of students about human rights and social justice.
