Story thread · 3 reports / 3 sources

Immigration detainees lack access to key forms, rights information: watchdog

koreatimes.co.kr · 15dShare

The state human rights watchdog has called for stronger procedural safeguards for foreign nationals in immigration detention after inspections found inadequate access to review and temporary release forms, as well as insufficient guidance on detainees’ rights. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) said Monday it inspected the Seoul Immigration Office, the Hwaseong Immigration Detention Center and the Cheongju Immigration Detention Center to see how the revised Immigration Act has operated in the field since taking effect in June 2025. The revised law allows immigration officials to detain foreign nationals facing deportation for an initial period of up to two months. That period can be extended for three months at a time following review by a detention review panel. Detention is capped at a maximum of nine months, extendable to 20 months in cases such as delays in enforcement over refugee applications or violations of the National Security Act. The NHRCK found that the

First report: Listen to 911 Calls From Inside an Immigration Detention Center: “We Just Need to Take Him to the Hospital” — propublica.org, 18d