The Immigration Detention Project Associate Professor Cindy G. Buys So. Illinois Univ. School of Law

National Immigrant Justice Center The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), a partner of Heartland Human Care Services, is dedicated to ensuring human rights protections and access to justice for all immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. NIJC provides direct legal services to and advocates for these populations through policy reform, impact litigation, and public education. NIJC Website:

How Many Noncitizens are Detained? In 2006, ICE detained 283,000 noncitizens (compared to 90,000 just 5 years ago, and only 20,000 pre-9/11). The average daily detention population of noncitizens was 26,500 for the first part of 2007 (compared with 7,444 in 1994). There are approximately 170 noncitizens currently detained in Ullin, IL.

Where are immigration detainees housed? 400+ state and local facilities – 52% 7 Contract detention facilities – 19% 8 ICE-owned facilities – 18% 5 Bureau of Prison facilities -11%

One student’s impressions “This has been my second time participating in the "Know Your Rights" seminar at the Tri-County Detention Center. I truly feel the benefits of the program are mutual. The detainees are given an opportunity to participate in a process that will help insure they know their legal rights and then be able to make informed decisions. In return, law students are able to practice interviewing skills. “For me, I am happy to know that I have helped detainees that may have a valid claim to remain in the U.S. Also, I find it very troublesome that during my interviews many detainees had very little knowledge of their legal rights, and without presentations such as "Know Your Rights", these detainees would have no chance to make informed decisions. But most of all, the program is a great opportunity to engage in service that helps the international community.”