Border Crisis: Texas Facility Meant for 250 People Has 4,100 Migrants

Border Crisis: Texas Facility Meant for 250 People Has 4,100 Migrants

President Joe Biden’s administration finally allowed the media inside a migrant holding facility in Donna, TX, meant to hold only 250 people.

The holding facility has 4,100 people, including 3,200 unaccompanied children.

We already know the facility has too many people, thanks to photos from lawmakers. But now the administration can no longer deny any problems.

Officials made the capacity 250 during the pandemic. Before the virus, the facility could only hold 1,000 people.

No matter what, the facility is way over its limit. The pods can only hold 32 people. Each one has 500-600 people.

THREAD — Reporters toured the temporary border facility in Donna, TX today.

The Biden admin allowed pooled coverage for the first time.

We saw a “pod” designed for 32 migrant children under CDC guidelines now holding 615.

The facility is at 1700% pandemic capacity.

?:TV Pool pic.twitter.com/cJTPUAxXmc

— Nicole Sganga (@NicoleSganga) March 30, 2021

The outdoor recreational area is being used to stage COVID testing before unaccompanied migrant children are transferred to HHS facilities.

We counted more than 50 COVID positive (and largely asymptomatic) kids waiting for their quarantined bus right next to a soccer game. pic.twitter.com/QYRe5ncF46

— Nicole Sganga (@NicoleSganga) March 30, 2021

At least 39 unaccompanied migrant children have been in the temporary processing facility for more than 15 DAYS, Acting Executive Officer for RGV Operational Programs Division, Oscar Escamilla, told reporters.

The legal limit is 72 hours. pic.twitter.com/UUe3HQHYjE

— Nicole Sganga (@NicoleSganga) March 30, 2021

Deputy Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, Raul Ortiz, told reporters @CBP anticipates *more than 1 million encounters* of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border in FY 2021 alone. pic.twitter.com/BAZHhtsZdi

— Nicole Sganga (@NicoleSganga) March 30, 2021

The Associated Press detailed officials processing the children:

On Tuesday, journalists watched children being processed. They went into a small room for lice inspection and a health check. Their hair was hosed down and towels were tossed in a black bin marked “Lice.” The kids — many of whom have made long journeys to get to the border, including stretches on foot — were also checked for scabies, fever and other ailments. No COVID-19 test was administered unless a child showed symptoms.

Nurse practitioners also gave psychological tests, asking children if they had suicidal thoughts. All shoelaces were removed to avoid harm to anyone.

The children were then led down a green turf hall to a large intake room. Those 14 and older are fingerprinted and have their photo taken; younger children did not.

They went to a second intake room where they got notices to appear for immigration court. Border Patrol agents asked them if they had a contact in the U.S. and allowed the child to call that person.

Children were given bracelets with a barcode that shows a history of when they showered and medical conditions.

DONNA, Texas (AP) — The Biden administration for the first time Tuesday allowed journalists inside its main border detention facility for migrant children, revealing a severely overcrowded tent structure. https://t.co/dRDNFjS8ah pic.twitter.com/YsfLAcH5ws

— Krysta Fauria (@krystafauria) March 30, 2021

The press is given access to a migrant processing plant in Donna, Texas, and Border Patrol agents brief reporters on the plant's conditions. @HeatherChilders @CortesSteve https://t.co/VlT7z8drtO pic.twitter.com/4W9CE3a6NS

— Newsmax (@newsmax) March 30, 2021

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