Since 2008, the Obama administration has deported over 1 million illegal immigrants, the highest number in six decades. However, this crackdown has not only affected illegal immigrants. A new investigation into the Secure Communities program finds that hundreds of American citizens have been detained because immigration officials thought they were illegal immigrants.
Julia Preston is national immigration correspondent for our partner The New York Times, who has been reporting on this investigation.
Antonio Montejano spent two extra nights in jail on an immigration order despite the fact that he is an American citizen.
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The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
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Comments [2]
What is really tragic is that Mr. Montejano was born in this country yet has a heavy Spanish accent and difficulty communicating in English.
Celeste,
I'm an avid listener, grateful for your reporting on illegal detention based on false ICE fingerprint database! AND-I heard you correct yourself on a previous immigration-related interview to say "undocumented" rather than "ILLEGAL alien." But on today's broadcast you kept repeating the term "illegal." Our immigrants are earthlings. Could you practice in private enough times until you are able to overcome this habit?
Thank you,
Lynette
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