SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois lawmakers have passed legislation that gives immigrants at federally run detention centers more time with religious workers.
Under the bill, the facility can't limit the time an immigrant has with a religious figure. Officials also must provide advance notice of when the religious workers are available.
And the visits won't count against other visitations.
Passage of the bill comes after immigrant-rights activists criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency contracts space in McHenry and Pulaski counties for immigrants in deportation proceedings.
ICE spokeswoman Gail Montenegro says the agency hasn't had reviewed the legislation. But she says ICE works to provide equitable access to immigrant detainees of all faiths.
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