For Hundreds of Detained Migrants, Next Stop: Albany

Immigration advocates claim the U.S. government is clearing detention space at the southwest border to make room for more migrants and their families, by moving hundreds of detainees to jails in other parts of the country, including Albany.

Camille Mackler, Director of Immigrant Services Support at the New York Immigration Coalition, said the government "has essentially moved the southern border to Albany, New York."

In a conference call with reporters, she said more than 300 migrants arrived since June on three separate planes from detention centers down south. She said the detainees hail from all over: Central America, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia.

"They were moved from the border to New York in the clothes that they arrived in the United States with, after spending several weeks at the border," she explained.

"These individuals are arriving at the Albany County jail incredibly disoriented. For the most part we've been having to draw maps on legal pads of the United States to explain to them where they are. They have no paperwork."

Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not respond to a request for comment.

Advocates said they were grateful the detainees ended up in New York, where state funds provide them with legal assistance. They said Sheriff Craig Apple went beyond the call of duty to make sure the migrants are given everything they need in Albany. 

Since their arrival, hundreds of volunteer attorneys and interpreters have been meeting with the detainees to help them apply for asylum. Sarah Rogerson, Director of the Immigration Law Clinic, said this couldn't have happened without Apple's support.

"The sheriff has been very responsive to every request we have made including providing phone lines that are secure and free of charge," she said. 

Albany is among many counties around the state that have intergovernmental agreements to take federal prisoners in their jails if necessary. It's paid $119 per day per detainee.

Although some migrants were separated from family members, the advocates said the detainees who were sent to Albany are not among the thousands of parents whose children were taken from them at the border during the Trump Administration's "zero tolerance" policy and must be reunited this month.

The detainees will get legal assistance to prepare for credible fear interviews, though advocates expect it will be harder for them to get asylum because of a recent decision by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.