Immigrants’ rights advocates** are trying to put a stop to the deportation of thousands of inmates from city jails.
Advocates say a Freedom of Information request has found about 13,000 Rikers Island inmates have been put into deportation proceedings since 2004.
The advocates also say immigration officials are engaging in dishonest enforcement practices, including the interrogation of detainees without oversight.
The Department of Correction says it passes along information to immigration officials about foreign-born inmates but does not provide information about their immigration status.
** Including Make the Road New York