DHS closes loophole by expanding expedited removal to cover illegal alien families

New Facility in Texas Opens Today for Illegal Alien Families

WASHINGTON, DC - As part of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Secure Border Initiative, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today announced the expansion of the process known as Expedited Removal to cover illegal alien families apprehended in areas along the nation's southern, northern and coastal borders. To house these families, a new 500-bed facility in Williamson County, Texas which is specially-equipped to meet family needs opened today.

“By expanding Expedited Removal to cover illegal alien families, DHS is closing down a loophole that has been exploited by human smugglers and helping stop future illegal immigration,” said Julie Myers, Assistant Secretary for ICE. “This new facility enables us to have deterrence with dignity by allowing families to remain together, while sending the clear message that families entering the United States illegally will be returned home.”

Because of limited family bed space families caught at the border were often released with “Notices to Appear.” Smugglers were well aware of this practice and often exploited this loophole to create the image of a family unit. In cases where families were detained, the families, including children, were detained separately.

Under the new policy, illegal alien family units caught at the border are now subject to Expedited Removal, a process that provides DHS with the authority to expeditiously return applicable illegal aliens to their country of origin as soon as circumstances will allow. The new policy is part of DHS's Secure Border Initiative, which among other things, is designed to eliminate the practice of “catch and release” and replace it with a practice of “catch and return.”