In a move that has sparked widespread controversy, the Biden-Harris administration is closing the largest ICE detention center in the United States, the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas. The facility, capable of housing 2,400 illegal immigrants, will be shut down within the next month, reducing the capacity for detaining illegal entrants at a time when border crossings are at record levels.
This decision follows an executive order issued by the administration in June, purportedly aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration. However, the order has been criticized for its numerous exceptions, which allow many illegal immigrants to enter the country under various conditions. The closure of the Dilley facility seems to contradict the administration’s public commitment to securing the border.
The recent murder of Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old Houston girl, by two illegal immigrants who were released into the U.S. despite available detention space, has intensified criticism of the administration’s immigration policies. The Biden-Harris administration has promoted Alternatives to Detention (ATD) programs, intended to provide “intensive supervision” of released illegal immigrants. Yet, these programs have been criticized for their ineffectiveness, with many participants removing their monitoring devices before their cases are resolved.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) have introduced legislation to enhance the detention and tracking of illegal immigrants. Cruz condemned the administration’s decision to close the Dilley center, calling it an “America-last policy” that prioritizes illegal immigrants over U.S. citizens. He cited the Nungaray case as a direct result of the administration’s lenient policies.
The Dilley facility, opened by the Obama-Biden administration in 2014 in response to a surge in illegal crossings, has been a vital component of the U.S. immigration system. ICE has stated that the closure is a cost-cutting measure, as the 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, instead of shutting it down.
The decision to close the Dilley center is viewed as part of a broader shift in the administration’s immigration policy, influenced by progressive elements within the Democratic Party. This policy shift has coincided with a significant increase in illegal border crossings, with over 821,000 family unit encounters reported in fiscal year 2023.
As the Biden-Harris administration faces increasing scrutiny over its handling of the border crisis, the closure of the Dilley center underscores the ongoing debates and challenges surrounding U.S. immigration policy. Critics contend that the decision will worsen the current situation, making it harder to detain and deport illegal immigrants and ensuring that more individuals are released into the country.