The Politics of Immigration in the Age of Mass Incarceration

In recent years immigrants have become the fastest growing population behind bars. Since the 1990's immigration policy has become increasingly linked to the growth of mass incarceration, private prisons, and police and border militarization. These corrosive developments, and the targeting of immigrants that accompanies them, have been exacerbated by the post-9/11 culture of homeland security and mass surveillance. Despite efforts under the Obama administration for comprehensive reform, the immigrant detention system continues to grow. The presentation will give an overview of the immigration detention system, current policies and practices put forth by the administration and Congress, and the movement to resist the mass incarceration and deportation of immigrants. About the Lecturer: Silky Shah, Co-Director of Detention Watch Network