Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

22 Sikh Asylum-Seekers Go On Hunger Strike In Florida Jail, 9 Released

IANS, 12 Aug, 2015 12:27 PM
    Nine out of the 22 Sikh asylum-seekers on a hunger strike in a Florida jail demanding to be released while their asylum cases are evaluated have been set free, media reported.
     
    The nine were released on August 10 while the remaining 13 were still under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody at the Broward Transitional Centre, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
     
    "Things should never have reached this extreme point," Latin Times newspaper quoted Shalini Agarwal, Florida staff attorney at ACLU, as saying on Tuesday.
     
    The 22 Sikh men were detained after arriving at the Texas border in May.
     
    The men began a hunger strike when they learned that they were denied a bond hearing, that could have released them from custody and sent to their family members in the US, until their asylum inquiry.
     
    "ICE needs to honour immigration enforcement priorities and use its prosecutorial discretion to not detain asylum seekers without bond, especially where they have demonstrated credible fear of persecution if returned to their home countries," Agarwal said.
     
    "Their granting of bond to some of these men is an important step, but there are many more detainees like them who should not be kept behind bars while their asylum proceedings are underway," she said.
     
    Some of the men may have been subjected to forced feeding and solitary confinement, a letter sent to ICE by the ACLU on August 6 said.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Telus Hands CEO's Job Back To Entwistle, Says Natale Leaving By Year-End

    The sudden change in leadership announced early Monday is being attributed to Natale's reluctance to move his family to Western Canada, where Telus has its headquarters and the core of its business.

    Telus Hands CEO's Job Back To Entwistle, Says Natale Leaving By Year-End

    Vancouver Police Investigate Fatal Stabbing In Downtown Eastside

    Vancouver Police Investigate Fatal Stabbing In Downtown Eastside
    Officers responded just after 6 p.m. to a report of a stabbing in the area of East Hastings Street and Main Street.

    Vancouver Police Investigate Fatal Stabbing In Downtown Eastside

    B.C. Company's Agile Robots Crawling Where Humans Can't

    B.C. Company's Agile Robots Crawling Where Humans Can't
    What started as a fun project for two techies on Vancouver Island more than 25 years ago has now become an industry leader in robotic crawlers.

    B.C. Company's Agile Robots Crawling Where Humans Can't

    Indian-Origin Journalist Adrienne Batra Honoured in Canada

    Indian-Origin Journalist Adrienne Batra Honoured in Canada
    Adrienne Batra, Toronto Sun newspaper's editor-in-chief, received the "Best Journalist Award" on Friday at 'Parvasi Awards' organised by the Parvasi Media Group.

    Indian-Origin Journalist Adrienne Batra Honoured in Canada

    2 Dead After Car Collides With Moose North Of Quebec City

    2 Dead After Car Collides With Moose North Of Quebec City
    The car jumped the median and crashed into a rock wall after striking the animal around midnight in the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve

    2 Dead After Car Collides With Moose North Of Quebec City

    Party Aims To Give People With Disabilities A Chance To Explore Sexuality

    Party Aims To Give People With Disabilities A Chance To Explore Sexuality
    TORONTO — A party meant to give people with disabilities a chance to explore and express their sexuality is shining a spotlight on an enduring and often ignored barrier for those with physical and mental limitations.

    Party Aims To Give People With Disabilities A Chance To Explore Sexuality