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US 'to cut immigrant detention' US 'to cut immigrant detention'
(about 4 hours later)
US officials are expected to announce plans that would allow illegal immigrants not considered a threat to be taken out of jails, reports say.US officials are expected to announce plans that would allow illegal immigrants not considered a threat to be taken out of jails, reports say.
The new policy would list immigrants according to the risk they may pose, the Wall Street Journal reports.The new policy would list immigrants according to the risk they may pose, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Detainees who are not criminals could be kept in hotels and nursing homes, according to leaks of the plans.Detainees who are not criminals could be kept in hotels and nursing homes, according to leaks of the plans.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is expected to give details of the plans later.Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is expected to give details of the plans later.
Her department is hoping to cut the costs of detaining immigrants, which stood at almost $2bn (£1.3bn) in 2008.Her department is hoping to cut the costs of detaining immigrants, which stood at almost $2bn (£1.3bn) in 2008.
It says alternatives like the hotels and nursing homes would cost about $14 a day, compared to about $100 a day for detention.It says alternatives like the hotels and nursing homes would cost about $14 a day, compared to about $100 a day for detention.
Health needsHealth needs
Each year some 380,000 illegal immigrants are detained in US jails alongside regular prisoners, ahead of deportation.Each year some 380,000 illegal immigrants are detained in US jails alongside regular prisoners, ahead of deportation.
Serious felons deserve to be in the prison model - but there are others Janet NapolitanoHomeland Security secretarySerious felons deserve to be in the prison model - but there are others Janet NapolitanoHomeland Security secretary
Of those held on 1 September, 51% were considered felons, and 11% of those had committed violent crimes, the New York Times reported.Of those held on 1 September, 51% were considered felons, and 11% of those had committed violent crimes, the New York Times reported.
"Serious felons deserve to be in the prison model," Ms Napolitano told the newspaper."Serious felons deserve to be in the prison model," Ms Napolitano told the newspaper.
"But there are others. There are women. There are children.""But there are others. There are women. There are children."
Proposals for using alternatives to prison detention are expected to be submitted to Congress in the coming weeks.Proposals for using alternatives to prison detention are expected to be submitted to Congress in the coming weeks.
The Wall Street Journal cited officials as saying the administration would ask the private sector for ideas, including for the construction of model facilities.The Wall Street Journal cited officials as saying the administration would ask the private sector for ideas, including for the construction of model facilities.
The paper said the review would also tackle criticism of the medical treatment given to detainees, and suggest to improve access to basic services including telephones.The paper said the review would also tackle criticism of the medical treatment given to detainees, and suggest to improve access to basic services including telephones.
The administration will propose a screening system to flag up special medical or mental health needs of detainees, the paper said.The administration will propose a screening system to flag up special medical or mental health needs of detainees, the paper said.
Broad immigration reform is one of President Barack Obama's domestic priorities.Broad immigration reform is one of President Barack Obama's domestic priorities.
Efforts by his predecessor, George W Bush, to reform US immigration laws collapsed in 2007.Efforts by his predecessor, George W Bush, to reform US immigration laws collapsed in 2007.