Biden-Harris Administration Closes Largest ICE Detention Center, Sparks Backlash
In a controversial move, the Biden-Harris administration has decided to close the largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in the nation. Located in Dilley, Texas, the South Texas Family Residential Center will shut its doors within the next month, reducing the available beds from 2,400 to 1,600 across the detention system. This decision comes amidst an ongoing illegal immigration crisis that has led to record-breaking border crossings.
The administration’s approach to border security has faced significant criticism, especially following an executive order in June that aimed to crack down on illegal immigration but included numerous exceptions. The order allowed illegal immigrants who scheduled an appointment to request asylum or were experiencing medical emergencies to enter the U.S. Despite this, the closure of the Dilley facility has been seen as contradictory to the administration’s stated goal of securing the border.
Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba of Slovakia, who canceled his planned trip to attend the Olympic closing ceremony in Paris, described the administration’s stance as one that does not favor deterrence, detention, or deportation. This sentiment is echoed by many critics who argue that the administration’s actions make it more difficult to detain illegal immigrants who cross into the country unlawfully.
The recent murder of Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl from Houston, Texas, by two illegal immigrants who were released into the country despite available detention space, has intensified the debate. Instead of detainment, the Biden-Harris administration has supported Alternatives to Detention (ATD) programs, which claim to include “intensive supervision” of released illegal immigrants. However, these programs have been criticized for their ineffectiveness, with many participants cutting off their monitoring devices before their cases are decided.
Republican leaders, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX), have introduced legislation to improve the detention and tracking of illegal immigrants. Cruz criticized the administration’s decision to close the Dilley center, calling it an “America-last policy” that prioritizes illegal aliens over law-abiding citizens. He highlighted the murder of Nungaray as a direct consequence of the administration’s leniency.
The closure of the Dilley center, originally opened by the Obama-Biden administration in 2014 to address a surge in illegal crossings, has raised questions about its timing and rationale. ICE claims that the move is a cost-cutting measure, as the Dilley facility is one of the most expensive to operate. However, critics argue that the administration should have renegotiated the contract with CoreCivic, the company managing the facility, rather than closing it.
The decision to close the center has also been linked to the administration’s broader immigration policy, which some see as influenced by progressive elements within the Democratic Party. This policy shift has led to a significant increase in illegal border crossings, with over 821,000 encounters of individuals in family units reported in fiscal year 2023 alone.
As the Biden-Harris administration continues to face criticism for its handling of the border crisis, the closure of the Dilley center serves as a stark example of the challenges and controversies surrounding U.S. immigration policy.