Prospect Of Cuts Prompting US To Release Some Migrant Detainees
Illegal immigrants are being released from detention across the country on their promise to return for future court dates because of possible upcoming federal budget cuts, Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed.
While the total number of people who have been released has not made public by ICE, an official with firsthand knowledge of the agency's effort said more than 100 people had been released from the Eloy Detention Center in Arizona alone. The effort started last week.
"In order to make the best use of our limited detention resources in the current fiscal climate and to manage our detention population under current congressionally mandated levels, ICE has directed field offices to review the detained population to ensure it is in line with available funding," agency spokeswoman Gillian Christensen, said Monday in a written statement.
Detainees were placed on an "appropriate, more cost-effective form of supervised release," she said. And "ICE is continuing to prosecute their cases in immigration court, and when ordered, will seek (arrestees') removal from the country."
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