The immigration detention system is both a human rights travesty and a massive money pit. Detainees are separated from their loved ones, can await a hearing for years, and are all too often subjected to medical negligence or sexual abuse.

These are people who are only charged with being in the country without authorization: these people have yet to be found to be wrongfully in the country at a court hearing, some are seeking asylum, and there are even wrongfully accused American citizens mixed in there.

However, there are alternatives to detention that are both lower cost and more humane. These alternatives, such as release on bail or with an ankle bracelet, allow those awaiting hearing to continue to work and be with their families in the meantime.

It's a bittersweet ending to receive permission to remain in the country after you've lost your job after being detained for month or years, while your family makes do without.

Tell the Department of Homeland Security and Obama to stop dragging their feet on reform to the immigration detention system and implement humane alternatives today.

Photo credit: amandabhslater