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Prisons are warehousing people like the Honduran in 637 detention centers throughout the United States, the majority of whom are being punished for what can be compared to a simple act of trespass. Many of them are determined to believe that this country, that they have learned to cherish for its justice system and fairness, will offer them an opportunity to prove their worth: “If I can just explain to the judge why I came in the first place and the positive things I have done ever since I set foot here, surely the judge will then allow me to remain here with my family.” But, even if the judge were to sympathize, immigration judges have limited authority to exercise their discretion no matter how
sincerely sorry they might be that this has happened to someone who has proven to be a valuable member of the community. The complexities of the immigration court system and the numerous
delays are another barrier. At last count, the number of cases pending in immigration courts was close to 600,000.
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