The Trump administration reinstated a de facto catch-and-release policy for illegal immigrants nabbed crossing the border in Texas, with Border Patrol agents being told Wednesday not to even bother turning them over for speedy deportation because there’s no bed space left, according to a top agent.
The problem, said Brandon Judd, an agent himself and also president of the National Border Patrol Council, is that illegal immigration has surged once again after dipping during the early months of President Trump’s tenure.
That’s left the deportation agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, struggling to find beds to hold the illegal immigrants, so when Border Patrol agents bring newly-apprehended people to ICE, they’re turned away.
“We’re going to have to release them out our front door,” Mr. Judd said. “Even if we try to turn them over to them, they’re just not going to take them.” ...