US sets new hotline for immigrant detainees

United States, 30th December: The US administration has set up a new hotline service for immigrant detainees

This hotline is meant to help undocumented immigrants who feel they are victims of any crime. Moreover, the hotline by the US immigration and Customs Enforcement(USICE) will also work as a new paperwork system aimed to impart education to immigrant detainees in the US.

USCIS announces new hotline service--US immigration’s new hotline service comes closely on the heels of several reports of deportation threats to US citizens. Recently, several local and state police officials had joined hands with the US government to implement US immigration legislation.

The program had invited criticism for being full of racial discrimination against Latinos apart from several arrests of undocumented immigrants. This toll-free telephone service by US immigration is totally free and is available round the clock, i.e. 24/7 for detained individuals in the US.

The best thing about the hotline service is that it will have the facility of translation services in a range of different languages. It will be available in Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, French, Chinese as well as English, the statement adds.

As per the press release announcing the launch of this service, the ICE officials will be entrusted to take note of the personal information of the caller and such information will be sent to a field official for instant action when they are detained by local or state law enforcement agencies. Further information is still awaited to be posted online.

The US is currently home to around 11 million undocumented immigrants and this has made immigration a big political issue in several states like Mexico, Arizona, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Utah. These states have passed tougher immigration norms alleging little action by the federal government of doing anything against undocumented immigrants.

Meanwhile, under the 287(g) program launched in 1996, police officials are authorized to hand over criminals or suspects to US immigration officials for any possible deportation and under normal circumstances, police does not enforce federal US laws.

Under 287(g) of the US government, 24 states have agreements with 69 law enforcement agencies. ICE has given training and certification to around 1,500 local and state officials for enforcing immigration law.