ICE Releases Hundreds of Migrants Into Texas and New Mexico, With More Expected

More than 500 migrants were released into the streets of New Mexico and Texas on Dec. 26, as ICE struggles to process the deluge of migrants trying to enter the United States through the southern border.

ICE released a statement on Dec. 24, obtained by 4News, explaining the conundrum leading to consecutive days of migrant releases:

“After decades of inaction by Congress, the government remains severely constrained in its ability to detain and promptly remove families with no legal basis to remain in the U.S. To mitigate the risk of holding family units past the timeframe allotted to the government, ICE has curtailed reviews of post-release plans from families apprehended along the southwest border. ICE continues to work with local and state officials and NGO partners in the area so they are prepared to provide assistance with transportation or other services.”

In the two days before Christmas, ICE released 400 people. On Christmas Day ICE released another 186 people, CBS reported.

Local nonprofit groups are aiding the migrants released by ICE.

“They’re coming from immigration cells so they’re coming hungry, they’re coming thirsty, most haven’t bathed in a long time. The situation is really difficult for them,” said Dylan Corbett, executive director of the Hope Border Institute, via CBS.

The immigrants released on Christmas Day were dropped off at a bus station, where they were met and led away by local volunteers.

The migrants are in awe from the great treatment they are getting from locals.

“It’s unreal, like a dream. They gave us clothes, food, everything. I really didn’t expect this. Thank you so much,” said one of the migrants, unnamed in the CBS report.

The migrant caravan that brought the recent wave of Central American migrants to the southern border began in October. Messages leading Honduran migrants to gather and head to the United States spread over social media, and got a big boost of endorsement from a radio host and former deputy in a left-wing political party, LA Weekly reported.

Another group that organized the migrants and compelled them to venture on the dangerous journey north was Pueblo Sin Fronteras, Fox reported. The group is composed of activists from the United States and Mexico who accompanied the caravan, trying to provide legal legitimacy to the situation.

The group is now taking blame for encouraging migrant families to embark on the journey with insufficient knowledge of the dangers involved. The founder of Pueblo Sin Fronteras, Roberto Corona, said that he informed the migrants of the risks, but that they still chose to come.

Meanwhile, the federal government shutdown persists, and President Trump told reporters that it will remain in place until Congress agrees to funding for a border wall.

“While we’re fighting over funding, we’re also building, and it’s my hope to have this done, completed, all 500 to 550 miles, to have it either renovated or brand new by Election Day,” Trump said on Christmas Day, via Fox News.

From NTD News