ALICIA A. CALDWELL, Associated Press
Obama Administration to Close Immigration Center
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration plans to close a temporary family immigration detention center in New Mexico by the end of the year.
The government told members of Congress on Tuesday about the planned closing.
Background on the Artesia Detention Center
Immigration and Customs Enforcement opened the jail at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, New Mexico, in late June. That was during a crush of tens of thousands of Central American families caught crossing the border illegally.
Details on ICE Advisory to Congress
In the advisory to Congress, ICE officials said newly apprehended families have not been sent to the temporary jail since Nov. 7. The remaining roughly 450 people being held in Artesia are mostly mothers and young children. They will be either released to await immigration court hearings or transferred to another family jail.
