The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the U.S. government to revamp procedures on how Mexicans living in the country illegally agree to be sent home.

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The ACLU claims authorities routinely pressure immigrants into waiving their rights.

The federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles says immigration officials in Southern California don't inform people of the consequences of agreeing to go home, such as a ban on returning to the United States for up to 10 years.

The ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties says Mexicans are told they face months in jail if they refuse to leave voluntarily and are falsely informed that they can easily arrange legal status once they're back in Mexico.

The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on the lawsuit.

 

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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