Federal immigration officials say some of the people who were being held in an overcrowded immigration detention facility in Otay Mesa are now in an Arizona County jail. Some immigration attorneys are concerned the moves are endangering their clients' rights to a fair trial. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.
Federal officials moved more than 200 people detained on civil immigration charges in Otay Mesa to temporary holding facilities in downtown San Diego and Arizona. The San Diego group has overstayed the time limit at the short term facility. Immigration officials say the Arizona group is now being held at a county jail. One of San Diego immigration attorney Andrea Guerrero client's is in Arizona. She says the move has effectively eliminated his right to counsel.
Guerrero: He's six hours away. I cannot travel to him. If his case was removed to this other jurisdiction in Arizona then he would have the ability to get local counsel.
Guerrero says immigration officials say her client will be moved back to San Diego one week before his trial. Guerrero says that's not enough time to prepare him for court. Amy Isackson, KPBS news.