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 … More >
Last month the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2010 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security (H.R. 2892). The accompanying report to the bill stated that the Appropriations Committee… ...believes that detention is not generally appropriate for families and is concerned that the Department does not routinely make Alternatives to Detention available to families it takes into custody. In addition, while the Committee is pleased that ICE developed and implemented detention standards for families held in its custody, it … More >
Posted 05/26/09 by Leon Cooper, Executive Producer, Return to Tarawa
A recent issue of the LA Times carried an obit about Newt Heisley, a WWII vet, who designed the “Iconic POW/MIA Flag,” including the refrain, “You are not forgotten.” His flag and the attention it commanded had much to do with recovering and repatriating the remains of the Viet Nam dead. The Times article said, “In 1990, Congress adopted the flag as the ‘symbol of our nation’s concern’ for those missing and unaccounted for during US military action in Southeast Asia…Congress … More >
History
