Regardless of one’s perspective on immigration, civil detention of migrants is an expensive endeavor. Most immigration detention facilities are privately run, so tax payer money ends up going to private prison companies that systematically under staff facilities and under pay their employees. There are cheaper and more humane alternatives to detaining individuals to ensure they are present for their immigration proceedings. We advocate ending the inhumane and expensive practice of detaining immigrants and call for the implementation of community based approaches. Please see our alternatives to detention reading list.