The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed on Tuesday that it will be shutting down a federal facility in Texas used by immigration officials to detain individuals who have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.
In a press release, ICE stated, “As part of ongoing reviews of overall detention capacities, ICE is taking action to close certain facilities that no longer provide an adequate return on investment.”
The closure includes the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, which is described as one of the most expensive facilities in the national detention network. Shutting down this facility will allow ICE to reallocate funds and increase the overall detention bed capacity by approximately 1,600 beds to better support operational needs.
Additional space is being sought nationwide, with availability expected immediately. The press release did not provide further details on the closure or information on alternative arrangements for illegal immigrants.
ICE Deputy Director Patrick Lechleitner stated in the press release, “Today’s announcement will significantly increase bed space operations based on the fiscal year 2024 plan with a minimum bed requirement of 41,500 or above, while maximizing the number of removal flights.”
The South Texas Family Residential Center is used by ICE to maintain civil detention standards with a focus on meeting the needs of family units. A news video released by CBS in 2018 showed that the facility primarily housed women and children detained after illegally crossing the border.
“As with other ICE family residential centers, STFRC respects the dignity and humanity of families waiting for immigration court hearings or awaiting return to their home countries. Individuals are free to move about the facility, visit areas such as game rooms, snack areas, libraries, gyms, and common areas,” wrote ICE’s archived page from 2019, adding that classrooms are also provided for children.
In February 2024, ICE announced that the South Texas Family Residential Center had been converted to detain non-criminal single adult women and certain non-criminal men classified as low-risk.
This move comes as President Biden earlier this month issued an executive order broadly banning those arrested for illegal crossings at the southern border from applying for asylum, a significant enforcement action ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
Under the measure, those crossing the border illegally may be swiftly expelled or returned to Mexico, with the measure taking effect within hours of signing. Unaccompanied children, those facing serious medical or security threats, and victims of human trafficking are exceptions, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“This action will help us control the border and restore order,” Biden said in a press conference on June 4 when announcing the measure. “This ban will remain in effect until the number of those attempting to enter illegally decreases to a level our system can effectively manage.”
Lee Gelernt, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), stated that they intend to file suit against the new restrictions. The organization and other immigrant advocacy groups claim the ban is overly harsh and is betraying America’s legal obligations to asylum seekers.
Republicans have also criticized the move as politically motivated and insufficient to address the recent historic increase in illegal immigration.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas (whose agency includes ICE) told ABC News on Sunday that the Biden administration is prepared to handle a series of lawsuits that may arise following the implementation of the ban, including lawsuits from the ACLU.
“I respectfully disagree with the ACLU’s opinion,” he told the media. “We stand by the legality of what we do. We stand by our values. This is not just a border security issue; we also have a humanitarian obligation to protect vulnerable groups from exploitation by traffickers.”