Summary
Federal agents arrested legally working immigrant Jaime in New York, detaining him despite his legal status. The case highlights the high costs of immigrant detentions, including significant expenses for law enforcement and detention facilities, as well as economic impacts on businesses.
Key Facts
- A workplace raid in New York led to the arrest of workers, including Jaime, who had legal work authorization.
- Jaime had special immigrant juvenile status, allowing him to apply for a green card, but he was still detained.
- The raid involved about 75 agents, costing tens of thousands of dollars when factoring in salaries and equipment.
- Jaime was detained for 58 days, with daily detention costs amounting to $190 per person, totaling over $11,000.
- Transferring detainees long distances adds to the financial burden, with flights costing around $25,000 per trip.
- Jaime's detention disrupted the immigration court system and increased backlogs due to reopened cases.
- The detention affected local businesses, as companies like Jaime's employer had to cut production due to labor shortages.
- Immigrant workers contribute significantly to tax revenues, and their detention decreases government tax income.
