Recent events show the immigration system lacks transparency critical to reunite parents and children separated under President Donald’s Trump order. Among a number of recommendations, Open the Government is asking Congress to require companies contracted to retain undocumented immigrants to open their operations to the public. (Open Government, June 21, 2018, press release)
The problems have persisted for years if not decades. A 2015 report showed that there was poor transparency and accountability in the ICE detention system. Resorting to Freedom of Information Act requests and litigation, the National Immigration Justice Center found that the Obama administration did not honor its pledge to improve oversight and conditions. They unveiled a culture of secrecy that hid a failed inspection system. (American Immigration Council, October 23, 2015, by Walter Ewing)