The Marshall Project

First Step Offers Release for Some Prisoners—But Not Non-Citizens

Almost a third of inmates helped by the First Step Act face deportation.

President Trump convened a news conference last week to celebrate the release of 3,000 federal prisoners on July 19 as part of the First Step Act. But not all of those inmates will actually walk free: 750 non-citizens could well face deportation.

It is one more example of the inflated hopes and modest reality of the First Step Act, which eases sentences for drug convictions, improves prison.

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