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New program raises stakes for foreign nationals
A controversial program that places certain immigrants in court proceedings in immediate detention will soon take effect in Miami.
By ALFONSO CHARDY
[email protected]
An immigrant seeking to stay in the United States could face a big gamble in the coming days or weeks: Plead your case in immigration court and face almost immediate detention -- even before all appeals are exhausted.
Immigration judges frequently rule at the end of a person's trial -- often an hours-long affair during the immigrant's second court appearance. Veteran Miami immigration lawyer Ira Kurzban said the new program could affect dozens of people every week.
To date, foreign nationals pursuing cases in immigration court generally remain free until they exhaust all appeals -- as long as they have no criminal record or other charge that requires detention.
Authorities decided to change the rules after concluding that many foreign nationals with court cases cannot be found after a judge orders them deported.
Similar detention pilot programs have been in effect elsewhere.
''Our goal is to come up with a feasible pilot program for Miami in either October or November,'' said Manny Van Pelt, a spokesman in Washington for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Van Pelt declined to provide details on how the program will work here and when it will start.
