Expansion of Immigration Detention-
On May 24, 2011, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on H.R. 1932, Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2011 (Lamar Smith, R-TX), a sweeping detention bill. Although supporters of the bill characterize it as narrowly tailored to target a few, dangerous individuals, the bill would both greatly expand the use of indefinite detention for people who cannot be deported and explicitly authorize DHS to hold individuals during removal proceedings, without a bond hearing, no matter how long they last. The bill would impact asylum seekers fleeing persecution as well as lawful permanent residents, including those with very old criminal convictions.