Two federal judges in the Southern District of West Virginia recently determined that immigrants were held illegally in state jails, and there could be more cases.
They have released four individuals, emphasizing that the law is clear: everyone in the country is entitled to due process.
Last month, authorities detained over 600 people alleged to be in the United States and West Virginia illegally. Judges Joseph Goodwin and Thomas Johnston issued their rulings as Congress debates new limits on federal immigration officers.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune and West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito criticized Democrats’ push for additional ICE restrictions as “unrealistic,” even after violent incidents and two fatal shootings in Minneapolis.
There are growing concerns that the Department of Homeland Security could shut down next week if Democrats do not cooperate with Republicans and the White House. Democratic leaders in Congress have responded with an expanded list of 10 detailed proposals.
West Virginia’s other Republican Senator, Jim Justice, supports ICE but acknowledges mistakes have occurred.
“As far as ICE in general, I think they’re doing a great job, but right behind all that and everything, you’ve got mistakes that are being made,” Justice said. “I just mentioned the body cameras, but we’re going to have to address other issues, because we don’t want bad things to happen to good folks. What we want to have happen is bad things happen to bad folks. I think there’s other issues and I absolutely believe in transparent investigations. We’ve got to stand there. I mean, come on.”
Immigrants from multiple countries claimed they were jailed regionally after their due process rights were violated. ICE carried out a 15-day enforcement operation in West Virginia in January, resulting in 650 arrests.