What happens to the El Paso Migrant Welcome Center now that it’s closed

EL PASO, Texas -- The City of El Paso and the Office of Emergency Management closed the Migrant Welcome Center Thursday, citing the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's discontinuation of sending migrants to the City.

A city spokesperson said CBP had had a significant decrease in encounters with migrants.

This comes after new policy action for Venezuelan migrants by the Department of Homeland Security last week.

Before Thursday's announcement, Deputy City Manager Mario D'Agostino said the center would return to its original purpose: public health.

The City said two charter busses departed Thursday for the remaining unsponsored migrants in local shelters and the City's hotel shelter operations.

The City began sheltering migrants on August 23 and has since sent 292 busses to New York and Chicago.

City officials said they, along with OEM, will continue to provide staffing and general support services to local NGOs.