Trump administration resumes detention of immigrant families after Biden-era pause
Share and Follow


McALLEN, Texas (AP) — The Trump administration resumed family detention of immigrants last week in a South Texas facility after a Biden-era pause, a legal nonprofit group providing services to migrant families said Wednesday.

Fourteen immigrant families with children as young as one year old were in the detention facility in Karnes County, Texas, about 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) southeast of San Antonio, according to RAICES, which provides services to families at the center. The families are originally from Colombia, Romania, Iran, Angola, Russia, Armenia, Turkey and Brazil.

Faisal Al-Juburi, the organization’s chief external affairs officer, said the families had been detained in the U.S. near the Mexican and Canadian borders. Some were in the U.S. for as little as 20 days and others for as long as about 10 years, Al-Juburi said. The nonprofit provided service to adult detainees at the center prior to last week’s shift in the center’s detention population when the adult detainees were moved out.

Both the Obama administration and Trump’s first administration detained families until their immigration cases played out. Trump severely curbed asylum and forcibly separated children from their parents at the border in a policy widely denounced as inhumane.

The practice of family detention was largely halted, but not abolished, during the Biden administration, which briefly considered restarting it in 2023.

U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment Wednesday.

Geo Group, the private corporation that operates the Karnes County Immigration Processing Center, said the facility can hold up to 1,328 people in a statement issued Monday. It said its contract with the federal government runs through August 2029 and will generate about $79 million in revenue in its first year.

It’s the second facility planned for family detention. Last week, CoreCivic, a company that operates detention centers, announced it entered into a contract with ICE to hold immigrant families at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, with a capacity of 2,400 people.

Immigration advocates expressed concern for the welfare of children held in detention.

Dr. Alan Shapiro is a cofounder and chief strategy officer for Terra Firma National, which works to provide immigrant children and families access to healthcare and legal representation. Shapiro visited family detention centers under the first Trump administration and said detained children experienced behavioral regression, anger and thoughts of self-harm.

“We also heard about suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts from children in the facility themselves and other significant mental health concerns, including self-harm and eating disorders that were not present prior to detention,” Shapiro said.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
University researcher accused of calling for assassination of conservative voices in social media post

University Researcher Under Fire for Controversial Social Media Post Targeting Conservative Figures

The University of Washington has launched an investigation into social media remarks…
Florida paraglider survives 500-foot plunge into ocean

Florida Paraglider Miraculously Survives a 500-Foot Fall into the Ocean

A 52-year-old man from Florida experienced a near-miraculous escape when his powered…
US to halt immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, sparking debate on business, family risks

US Visa Suspension for 75 Nations: Impact on Business and Family Sparks Heated Debate

A local immigration lawyer believes this move will significantly affect both families…
Teachers union slams 'Trump regime,' claims ICE murdered Minneapolis agitator in message to supporters

Teachers Union Condemns ‘Trump Regime’ and Accuses ICE of Fatal Incident in Minneapolis

The advocacy division of the nation’s largest teachers union reached out to…
California man sues McDonald's after homeless man accused of attacking wife in drive-thru

California Lawsuit: Husband Sues McDonald’s Following Alleged Homeless Attack on Wife at Drive-Thru

A California man has filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s, claiming that employees…
Renee Nicole Good's family hires George Floyd legal team for civil investigation after fatal ICE shooting

Justice for Renee Nicole Good: Family Enlists George Floyd’s Legal Team in ICE Shooting Probe

The family of Renee Nicole Good, who was tragically shot by an…
Family 'quickly believed' surgeon ex was involved in Ohio dentist couple's murder as co-worker details mishaps

Ohio Surgeon Accused of Using Fake Addresses to Evade Lawsuits in Dentist Double Murder Case: ‘He Just Vanished

Recent court documents have brought to light that Dr. Michael McKee, prior…
Heroic LI teacher uses Heimlich to save 7-year-old boy choking on a gummy

Quick-Thinking Long Island Teacher Performs Heimlich Maneuver, Saves 7-Year-Old from Choking on Gummy

In a remarkable act of quick thinking, a Long Island educator came…