SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — County commissioners in rural New Mexico extended authorization for a migrant detention facility Wednesday in cooperation with federal authorities over objections by advocates for immigrant rights who allege inhumane conditions and due process violations at the privately operated Torrance County Detention Facility.
The 3-0 vote by the Torrance County commission clears the way for a four-month extension through September of an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the detention of migrants at the facility.
At a public meeting, advocates renewed criticism that the facility has inadequate living conditions and provides limited access to legal counsel for asylum-seekers who cycle through. Critics of the detention center have urged federal immigration authorities to end their contract with a private detention operator, while unsuccessfully calling on state lawmakers to ban local government contracts for migrant detention.
DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Labour runs out of ammo on defence
Coalition government falling short on mosque attack anniversary
Call for schools soft drink ban renewed after government implements cellphone ban
Politics updates: Government defends transport plan, Luxon has to fly commercial
Mead hits 1st homer of the season and Rays beat Tigers 7
Government 'looking at' mining on DOC lands
Pair charged with hijacking car in Auckland
Fire kills 43 in Bangladesh capital
US growth likely slowed last quarter but still pointed to a solid economy
Houthis say they fired at two ships in Red Sea, damaging both
Former Labour minister Frank Field dies from cancer aged 81: Tributes pour in for 'formidable' ex
100 days since Hamas attacked Israel, triggering war in Gaza