Tipsheet

Report: 900 Illegal Aliens Crammed in Center Built for 125 People

The Washington Examiner reports that earlier this May in El Paso, TX, "Inspector General Office workers observed 900 people being held at a facility where the maximum capacity is 125 people," which in turn is causing a potentially dangerous situation both in terms of physical violence as well as the spread of disease. 

The Examiner's Anna Giaritell writes that "the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General released a report Friday that found 'dangerous overcrowding' among adults being held at the El Paso Del Norte Processing Center in West Texas." 

For example, "a cell with a maximum capacity of 35 held 155 detainees," the report notes. The watchdog group also noted that "CBP was struggling to maintain hygienic conditions in the holding cells. With limited access to showers and clean clothing, detainees were wearing soiled clothing for days or weeks."

The report released May 3 also says that from October 2018-April 2019, the El Paso Sector apprehended 98,052 adults and minors. This was a 619% increase from October 2017-2018. 

The watchdog group also noted that hundreds of individuals were seen waiting outside the facility's parking lot to be processed. In addition to the aforementioned hygiene issues, at least 75 illegal aliens were also treated for lice. Border Patrol also confiscated and discarded "all other detainee property, such as backpacks, suitcases, and handbags, in the nearby dumpster." According to the group, "Border Patrol personnel told us that these items might be wet, have bugs, and be muddy, and, therefore, presented a 'biohazard.'" 

The full report is well worth the read and sheds light as to how grave the situation is at the border. President Trump has not responded to it yet, but continues to tweet about the security crisis caused by the influx of illegal aliens.