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.
New Clemson coach Poppie adds former Alabama starting point guard McQueen to his program
Xi calls on Hunan to write its chapter in advancing Chinese modernization
Foreign experts hail China's democracy path
Travis Kelce laughs at girlfriend Taylor Swift getting 'Punk'd' by Justin Bieber in 2012
Xi holds talks with Indonesia's president
China, Indonesia set to deepen ties
Trilateral talks to bolster ties
The body types that raise the risk of colon cancer