Group sues gov't for deportation documents

MIAMI (AP):

Immigrant advocates in Miami are suing the federal government to access documents about deportations of convicted criminals to Haiti.

Americans for Immigrant Justice filed its lawsuit on Tuesday in federal court in Washington against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

ICE denied the group's Freedom of Information Act request seeking information about the decision to resume in 2011 the deportations suspended after Haiti's 2010 earthquake. A fee waiver request also was denied.

The group formerly known as the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Centre says the denials were arbitrary and violate the Freedom of Information Act. They also argue that unsanitary conditions in Haitian jails where deportees are routinely held pose life-threatening risks.

ICE says the deportation of 376 Haitians since January 2011 was coordinated with Haiti's government and consistent with US immigration policies.