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Call to Action Regarding Child and Family Detentions

10/24/2018 12:22:02 PM

Oct24

By Erica Serlin

As a member of the Dane Sanctuary Coalition, we recently received the following action alert from the Wisconsin Lutheran Office of Public Policy regarding the length of time undocumented immigrant children are kept in federal detention. Please review the following information and consider taking action by the November 6th deadline.

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services has provided more information at the following link: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services

In summary, Reno v Flores, also known as “The Flores Settlement,” was a 1997 Supreme Court ruling that set standards for immigrant minors when going through the court system. It ruled that detained children must be released to parents, a legal guardian, another relative, or a vetted entity willing to take legal custody of the child within 20 days. If the Flores Settlement is overturned, the result could be indefinite family detention and separation.

The Flores Settlement also binds the government to adhere to a number of minimum standards in its treatment and processing of children. By seeking to overturn Flores, the government hopes to eliminate these protections. As a result, children and families would lose standard rights within the immigration system, such as the length of stay in a detention facility, the conditions of the facility, the options for release, a person’s right to a bond hearing, the legal protections for unaccompanied children and more.

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services is opposed to any form of detention of children and families and vehemently opposes indefinite detention, which poses a clear violation of human dignity and due process. LIRS has and will continue to advocate against changes to Flores.

If you are also opposed to the government’s proposed rulemaking change overturning the Flores Settlement, please consider making a comment by accessing this link by Nov. 6th.

Thanks for your support of undocumented immigrant children and families!

Erica Serlin and Howard Rosen, Co-Chairs UON Immigrant Action Team

April 25, 2024 17 Nisan 5784