Immigration Enforcement & Your Rights as an American Citizen

This is disturbing. From McClatchy, via Steve Benen: "Immigration Officials Detaining, Deporting American Citizens."

The quotes:

Unlike suspects charged in criminal courts, detainees accused of immigration violations don't have a right to an attorney, and three-quarters of them represent themselves.

and

Although it took only minutes for McClatchy to confirm with Minnesota officials that a birth certificate under Warziniack's name and birth date was on file, Colorado prison officials notified federal authorities that Warziniack was a foreign-born prisoner.

and

"We don't want to detain or deport U.S. citizens," said Ernestine Fobbs, an ICE spokeswoman. "It's just not something we do."

McClatchy goes on to report that

Proving citizenship is especially difficult for the poor, mentally ill, disabled or anyone who has trouble getting a copy of his or her birth certificate while behind bars.

Okay. I feel ready to face the world. I'd almost rather take my chances down here with Mexican immigration, you know?