Community placement is an approach to managing immigration that enables migrants and refugees to live within the community while their immigration case is being processed.

Instead of being imprisoned, people’s basic needs – like healthcare, food and housing – are met in the community. They may have access to support services, such as legal aid or a dedicated case worker, and they are afforded the right to work and access education while they await the outcome of their case.

This approach to managing immigration is not only more humane and compassionate than detention, it is also far cheaper and more effective.

Community placement is a fraction of the cost of immigration detention. An independent study found that the United States could save over $1.44 billion of its $2 billion detention budget by detaining only noncitizens with serious crimes and otherwise using alternatives; meanwhile, in Australia, the daily per/person cost of immigration detention is 98% higher than alternatives.

And cost isn’t the only difference; repeated pilots, trials and research have shown people are less likely to abscond when their basic needs are met. When people are treated with dignity and feel safe and secure during an immigration process, they are more likely to accept the outcome of their claim, even if it’s unsuccessful. This means fewer people appeal or attempt reentry, which in turn reduces pressure on the immigration system.