ICE Transfers Detainees Thousands of Miles Away Amid Policy Criticism

Immigration attorneys are raising concerns about the intentional relocation of detained migrants from college campuses, alleging that individuals are being moved thousands of miles away from their legal representatives and families. This comes in the wake of the Trump administration's crackdown on anti-Israel activists on student visas, starting with the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil in New York City. Following their arrests, individuals like Georgetown fellow Badar Khan Suri and Tufts grad student Rumeysa Ozturk were transferred from the East Coast to detention centers in Louisiana and Texas, which are geographically distant and might have more conservative judicial environments. Lawyers argue that these transfers make it more challenging for detainees to access legal counsel and support. The American Immigration Council's Adriel D Orozco highlighted the unprecedented nature of such extensive relocations within the immigration system. These actions have sparked fears among advocates regarding the implications for migrants' rights and their ability to fight their cases effectively.