No End in Sight

No End in Sight: Prolonged and Punitive Immigration Detention in Louisiana, is the result of a year of research by Tulane Law’s Immigrant Rights Clinic, directed by Professors Mary Yanik and Laila Hlass, who are experts in immigration law and the detention system in Louisiana. 

The Clinic analyzed 499 Louisiana habeas cases filed in federal court from 2010 to 2020 and found that by the time that detained immigrants filed habeas petitions in court, they have typically already endured nearly one year and one month of detention. On top of that, the cases last a further six months, on average, during which the immigrant is still held in confinement. The team found serious challenges for detainees in accessing lawyers to represent them in their cases, leaving 85% of detained immigrants filing without legal representation.

Lastly, they found disturbing racial disparities, with Black immigrants representing more than half of the detained that are filing habeas petitions. The researchers offer recommendations to the Court, immigration authorities, and advocates to reduce potentially unconstitutional detention and promote transparent, efficient, and reasoned adjudication. The presentation slides are available to view here.

View the report's release in English here.

View the report's release in Spanish here.