Immigration detention
Definition
The legal process and facilities used by governments to temporarily hold non-citizens suspected of immigration violations, such as illegal entry or visa overstays, while their cases are reviewed for deportation, asylum, or release.
Secure holding centers operated by immigration authorities to detain individuals pending immigration hearings, often criticized for conditions resembling budget motels with infinite check-in times.
Examples
After mistaking the border for a pop-up piñata party, Miguel ended up in immigration detention, dreaming of piñatas that don't call the authorities.
Immigration detention centers now offer complimentary 'freedom fries'—deep-fried irony served daily while awaiting that golden ticket out.
Politicians hailed immigration detention as 'America's finest hospitality program,' where guests check in but checkout depends on bureaucratic bingo.
In a plot twist worthy of a bad spy thriller, the smuggler's submarine tour led straight to immigration detention—subpar subs included.