The Obama administration announced on August 6 that it will overhaul the nation’s immigrant detention system.  One immediate change: the government will stop sending families to the T. Don Hutto Residential Center, the former medium-security prison near Austin, TX that is the subject of “The Least of These.”

This outcome is a result of a unique collaboration of advocacy efforts, involving grassroots organizing, litigation, public education, and legislative efforts.  Congratulations to all who helped bring about change.  Many concerns about detention policies remain, of course, but this is an important step in the right direction.

Details on the announcement can be found in this New York Times front-page story (which mentions and links to “The Least of These.")

In 2007, a “settlement” to improve conditions at Hutto was reached with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a result of a lawsuit filed by the ACLU and the University of Texas School of Law.  The settlement mandated two years of enforceable standards and oversight, and was due to expire this month.  On August 7, ICE agreed to extend the settlement until all families have left the facility, expected to take place by year’s end.