A common and recurring problem involves local authorities arresting individuals believed to have immigration issues and then holding them longer than they are permitted. Sometimes this means US citizens sit in jail until someone figures out they are citizens. The law only requires the local authorities to hold a suspect alien for 48 hours on an ICE detainer, but people are regularly held for much longer.
In response, ICE announced today a hotline for individuals to call while detained by local authorities. It also announced a form that would distributed to immigrant detainees telling them about the 48 hour rule. We appreciate these moves, but it will be incumbent on state and local authorities to enforce them (i.e. letting the detainee make a phone call or giving her a copy of the 48-hour form).