There is a widespread impression that since 9/11 the US has detained a large number of people without due process. However, the reports I’ve seen have been quite different, and without full substantiation.
How Many – Sam Stone found a comment by John Ashcroft suggesting that over 16,000 were being detained. The NY Times lead editorial yesterday mentioned 11,000 people who had been detained, but their source was “reports”, whatever that means. An article from the L. A. Times talked about 1200 detainees. There have also been varying reports of how many of the those detained were subsequently released, some reports say more than half; other say less than half. Also, I’m unclear as to whether the various estimates are total ever detained, or the net number, after deducting those already released.
Treatment – An impression seems to exist of people being held incommunicado. A guest on the O’Reilly factor said the detainees were being deprived of civil rights, but she no details or confirmation. The L. A. Times article said an unknown number were permitted only limited access to lawyers. The N. Y. Times referred to the detentions as “secret.” I assume they meant that the government has made no formal statement.
So, I’m left in confusion and uncertainty. Here are some questions I put to the wisdom of the SDMB Great Debates panel: [ul][]How many have been detained since 9/11?[]What per cent have been released? []What per cent are not American citizens? []What per cent were in the U. S. illegally, e.g., having an expired tourist visa? []What laws apply to detaining non-citizens who are legally in the U.S? []What laws apply to detaining non-citizens who are in the U.S. illegally?[]To what degree are detainees being given (or deprived of) access to their lawyers, consulates, and family members?[]Has the government made any formal statement of what’s going on? []Has the government failed in their obligation to keep the public informed on this issue? []Is this detainee story being promoted or exaggerated by some group with an agenda? [/ul]