Prof. Linus Chan Quoted by Star Tribune About Immigrants Arrested After Removal Hearing Cases Dismissed

Professor Linus Chan, James H. Binger Clinical Professor of Law, was quoted by the Minnesota Star Tribune about how this year at the U.S. federal building at Fort Snelling, more than 225 people have watched their immigration case dismissed at the government’s request, only to be arrested by ICE agents after leaving the courtroom. After arrest, the immigrants are placed in expedited removal, according to the Advocates for Human Rights, which staffs Fort Snelling courtrooms daily with legal observers. Expedited removal is a process that requires the detention of noncitizens. They can be deported within days or weeks, without a hearing before a judge. Immigrant rights activists and attorneys argue the process undermines due process rights and coerces people not accused of any crimes into detention. Prof. Chan said of the process, “It’s pretty horrific. It subjects people who have been free and living peacefully, many times with their family, including young children, and now forcing them to be separated from their family — doing so in an extraordinarily cruel manner."