DETROIT – This week, the Alliance for Immigrants Rights and Reform and Michigan Organizing Project  praised the release of a new policy memorandum from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.  The memo explicitly provides guidelines and some protection for people attending places of worship, schools and human service agencies. 

U.S. citizens and undocumented immigrants have complained about being harassed and detained by Border Patrol agents.  This is particularly important in Detroit, where St. Anne’s Church, Latino Family Services, and the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation have all been harassed by Border Patrol in recent years. 

“Our workers and clients can both breath a bit easier knowing there is less chance Border Patrol is going to prevent us from serving vital community needs.  Now that we have a policy in writing, we will work hard to improve it and ensure that Border Patrol actually follows their own rules,” said Lidia Reyes, executive director of Latino Family Services.