Australia abandons controversial detention policy as the U.S. embraces one.

Monday, September 1st, 2008

In July 2008, the Australian government announced that it would relax its mandatory detention policy for arrivals to Australia who lacked proper documents to enter the country. The government’s new policy is based on the following principles: 1. Mandatory detention would apply to: a. all unauthorized arrivals, for management of health, identity and security risks to the community; b. unlawful non-citizens who present unacceptable risks to the community; and c. unlawful non-citizens who have repeatedly refused to comply with their…