Illegal Migrants In Infamous Bridge Photo Relocated To Holding Facility
Hundreds of illegal migrants temporarily held under a bridge have been relocated to an indoor Customs and Border Protection station in El Paso, Texas.
The hundreds of migrants caged underneath the Paso Del Norte Bridge in downtown El Paso — a photo of which garnered widespread derision among Democratic politicians — have been moved to an indoor facility, a Customs and Border Protection spokesman confirmed. From there, the immigrants will begin being processed by authorities.
“Although aliens that were being held in the transitional area are being moved, the building adjacent to Paso Del Norte will continue to serve as a processing facility. The transition should be completed today,” the CBP spokesman said Sunday.
The decision to congregate hundreds of illegal aliens under the Paso Del Norte Bridge was a result of overwhelmed detention facilities having nowhere else to place them. Their resources already stretched thin, immigration enforcement officials constructed fencing under the overpass as a temporary measure. Every detainee was given food, blankets, tents and other basic necessities, according to El Paso Sector spokesman Agent Ramiro Cordero.
“CBP is facing an unprecedented humanitarian and border security crisis all along our southwest border, and nowhere has that crisis manifested more acutely than here in El Paso,” said CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan.
The temporarily holding facility earned widespread condemnation from progressives when video of the camp began to circulate on social media in late March.
WATCH:
This is what the Paso Del Norte Border Patrol station in El Paso looks like today. The queue of migrants who turned themselves in is stretched to the parking lot. pic.twitter.com/PTSblYP74R
— Valerie Gonzalez (@ValOnTheBorder) March 27, 2019
Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar described the detainment center as “inhumane” and “abhorrent.”
This is what the Paso Del Norte Border Patrol station in El Paso looks like today. The queue of migrants who turned themselves in is stretched to the parking lot. pic.twitter.com/PTSblYP74R
— Valerie Gonzalez (@ValOnTheBorder) March 27, 2019
New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said the camp was unacceptable and renewed her calls to abolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
Look at this picture.
When you’re looking at this photo, you’re looking at a mirror. This is America. This is Texas. This is our the course of action, the one we chose.
I cannot and will not accept it.#EndFamilySeparation&#AbolishICE &#ReuniteFamilies &
Stop #BackersOfHate https://t.co/Srz3QioP5H— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 28, 2019
Democratic presidential candidate Francis O’Rourke, who represented El Paso during his time in Congress, visited the camp.
Just went under the bridge where refugees and asylum seekers are being held. Kids, moms, and families trapped for days at a time in our name. Will continue pushing for answers so we can put an end to this. pic.twitter.com/jHnrFOE11c
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) March 29, 2019
The outdoor camp was first constructed because, as officials argue, they do not have the resources to cope with the influx of illegal immigrants reaching the border. While Ocasio-Cortez and Omar have blasted the Department of Homeland Security for the camp, both lawmakers have previously called for funding to the Department be cut.
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