CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois’ plan to end federal immigration detention in the New Year has hit another legal snag.
Under a law signed in August, local governments can’t sign new agreements with federal immigration authorities and must end old ones to detain immigrants.
The three counties with such contracts faced a January 1st deadline. One center in downstate Pulaski County has already transferred or released detainees, but two others involved in a lawsuit have a temporary extension to Jan. 13 while the case is being appealed. After the lawsuit was dismissed last month, a federal judge issued a stay Thursday.
Immigrant rights activists call the law, historic but others are critical saying ending contracts creates new complications such as moving detainees farther from family and legal help.
