LAS CRUCES, NM—The Obama administration said it will open new detention facilities to house immigrant families, many of whom are being apprehended in South Texas as part of the humanitarian crisis of migration from Central America.
Initial reporting indicates the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) located in Artesia, NM, will be one of the locations housing hundreds of immigrants, including children.
Brian Erickson, Policy Advocate with the ACLU of New Mexico, Regional Center for Border Rights, had this comment:
“Detaining families with children, many of whom have fled crime and violence in Central America, should not be the response to the current humanitarian crisis. Basic, human rights protections require that detention be the last resort, especially given proven, cost-effective and efficient community-based alternatives to detention.
Furthermore, converting a facility designed for training to provide adequate and humane conditions and care raises serious concerns. Border Patrol has a long and demonstrated history of abuse in its custody. Just last week, non-governmental organizations filed an administrative complaint with DHS that detailed over 100 cases of physical, verbal and sexual abuse committed against minors.
Families should be moved out of detention as soon as possible and released under humane and reasonable supervision.”
Click here to view the administrative complaint filed with DHS.