Central Falls mayor calls for meeting about detention center

Central Falls Mayor James Diossa. File photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (AP) – The mayor of Central Falls has scheduled an emergency community meeting to discuss a detention center in the city that is again housing people detained by federal immigration authorities a decade after a man’s death there ended the practice.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is again using space at the privately-run Wyatt Detention Facility.

Mayor James Diossa said Monday he wants to address problems with Wyatt. City council members and state lawmakers plan to attend Thursday’s meeting.

Diossa says Wyatt owes money to the city and creditors, and is aiding federal immigration policies without consulting the community.

The warden deferred questions to a public relations firm.

In 2008, 34-year-old Hiu Lui “Jason” Ng died of liver cancer while held there. An investigation found a lack of communication about Ng’s health care needs.

 

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