Baldwin, Michigan — Three months have passed since the North Lake Correctional Facility began operating as an immigration detention center. This new role has focused on processing detainees for deportation, while their attorneys maintain a critical connection with them throughout their confinement.
Opened in mid-June, the North Lake facility is a former prison located in Lake County and is now under the jurisdiction of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Attorneys working with detainees emphasize the significance of maintaining access for legal counsel within the facility. Richard Kessler, an immigration attorney based in Grand Rapids, has visited the site multiple times since its reopening.
Kessler has represented various clients detained at the Baldwin site, noting the ease of access for lawyers. “I’ve been able to visit without the need for prior scheduling, which is often required at other facilities,” he explained, underlining a relatively straightforward visitation process. The center’s policy allows attorneys to meet with clients every day of the week for unlimited conversation time, promoting a necessary attorney-client relationship.
While Kessler’s experiences inside the facility do not include direct views of the living quarters, he has explored other areas. He described the visitation rooms and lunch facilities as typical for institutional settings, without significant cleanliness issues. He remarked on the overall temperature comfort, a notable point considering immigration detention centers often face criticism for being excessively cold.
“It’s not just a saying; facilities like these are sometimes referred to as ‘ICE boxes,'” Kessler pointed out, referencing conditions he has found in other detention centers, including one in Calhoun County. “I’ve had to bring my own jacket due to the low temperatures.”
The conditions in facilities like North Lake are important for the attorneys as they advocate for their clients’ rights amid various challenges within the immigration system. The ability to freely communicate with clients is essential for effective legal representation, ensuring that individuals are aware of their situations and the potential legal avenues available to them.
As conversations around immigration policy continue to evolve, the reopening of the North Lake Correctional Facility highlights both the operational aspects of detention and the personal narratives of those caught in the system. With the ongoing processing of detainees, the focus remains on their rights and the legal pathways available to them in a challenging landscape.
For attorneys like Kessler, the ongoing access to their clients serves as a vital component of their advocacy. Each visit represents an opportunity to prepare for the next steps and to reinforce the connection between legal counsel and detainees during a tumultuous time.
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