to <detain and hold> illegals.

[thuhoai]

Hi all,

Could you please tell me the difference between "hold" and "detain" in the following sentence.

But Republicans say the wave of murders is enough, and that the Obama administration needs to take real steps to force cities to follow federal orders to detain and hold illegals.

washingtonexaminer
Thanks

 

[Copyright]

I see "detain" as stopping people and restraining them, and "hold" as keeping them in detention for a longer time.

 

[perpend]

I tend to agree with CR.

"detain" is more temporary. They are "kept" from the viewpoint of law, until certain things are clarified.

"hold" is stronger. They are held indefinitely.

 

[thuhoai]

Many thanks, Copyright and Perpend.