1. United States
2. Ky.
3. Letter

The United States immigration system currently lacks basic due process protections afforded in the criminal justice system. No one should be detained without a fair bond hearing where the government must prove detention is necessary due to public safety or flight risk concerns, and that alternatives to detention would be insufficient. Additionally, our nation's deportation laws are overly harsh and separate families unnecessarily. Discretion must be restored to consider the full circumstances of each case. Furthermore, over half of individuals in immigration proceedings lack legal representation, including 84% of those detained, undermining meaningful access to justice. Reform is urgently needed to uphold constitutional principles of due process and human rights for all.