Detained immigrants to get fresh vegetables, self-serve soda, their own clothes in US lockup

US mulls less jail-like immigrant facilities

SAN ANTONIO — U.S. immigration officials hope to begin reshaping the entire 30,000-bed detention system with an early agreement that will significantly alter the look and feel of immigration lockups around the country.

Currently, asylum-seekers and immigrants awaiting deportation proceedings are mostly held in prison-like facilities with razor wire, jail-style uniforms and armed guards even though many have never been convicted of a crime and are not considered a threat.

A new deal between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and its largest vendor, Corrections Corporation of America, would allow low-risk detainees to wear their own clothes, participate in movie and bingo nights and celebrate holidays with visiting family members.