‘Dangerous overcrowding’ of migrants found at El Paso border facility
An inspection this month at an El Paso Border Patrol station where detained migrants are held found that there were 900 people crammed into the 125-person facility at one point.
The Office of Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security found “dangerous overcrowding.” A majority of detainees were held past the maximum allowed 72-hour period.
Inspectors found migrants held in standing-room-only spaces for days and some standing on toilets.
An unprecedented number of families with children have arrived at the border this year.
The government built a temporary tent city in El Paso and plans to open a bigger facility within 18 months.
The report released Friday and first reported by CNN comes two days after El Paso agents arrested a group of 1,036 immigrants — the largest officials say they have encountered.
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