New CBP processing and holding facility geared for undocumented families

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced they will be opening a new temporary holding facility for undocumented immigrants in Tornillo, Texas.

The facility located near the Tornillo port of entry is expected to begin operations in a few days and they invited ABC-7 cameras inside for a tour.

CBP said the temporary processing and holding facility will help alleviate overcrowding at ports of entry and at border patrol stations but the facility will be a bit different –it’s meant to hold undocumented families illegal crossing the U.S. border.

Director of Field Operations for CBP, Hector Mancha said the new facility is needed to take on the overflow of undocumented immigrants they’ve seen in the area.

CBP reported in 2015 just over 303,000 immigrants were caught illegally crossing the U.S. border. That number has jumped to nearly 409,000 this past year.

“The construction began four days ago,” said Deputy Chief Patrol agent Carry Huffman.

Huffman said the construction is expected to be completed by the end of next week. Although CBP does have detention facilities all over the U.S. but the Tornillo facility is designed with more room to hold families.

“The surge that’s increased, a lot of that component is families from Central American countries,” Huffman said.

Construction was still underway in other rooms but cameras were allowed to film the intake center where families will be processed, given basic clothing, shoes, blankets and medical care if needed.

“We think it will be a great improvement for their comfort and also allow us to work with the outflow of people we have in our custody,” Huffman said.

The facilities can hold up to 500 immigrants with room to expand if needed.

Immigrants are expected to stay between two to three days before they are transitioned to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Officials say the facility should be operational by the end of next week.