Authorities say a majority of Central American immigrants held at a southeastern New Mexico detention center over the last six months ended up getting released. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says more than two-thirds of an estimated 1,200 immigrants were released before the Artesia facility closed last week.
ICE spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa says while more than 800 were released, about 370 were deported.
Zamarripa says 15 remaining people will be relocated to a new family detention center in Texas.
American Civil Liberties Union officials say most of the immigrants plan to seek asylum.
The Obama administration commissioned two new facilities in Texas amid the recent influx of children pouring across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Advocates say immigrant families are fleeing drug violence and poverty.
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Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com
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