The U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced it has begun reducing the number of soft-sided facilities along the southwest border due to low apprehensions.
CBP will close soft-sided facilities in Donna, North Eagle Pass and Laredo, TX, as well as in Yuma and Tucson, Ariz. SSFs in San Diego, Calif., and El Paso, TX, will remain open. USBP will detain aliens in its permanent facilities, the agency said.
The agency estimates the closures will save between $5 million and $30 million per month for each facility.
“CBP no longer has a need for them as illegal aliens are being quickly removed,” Pete Flores, Acting CBP commissioner, said. “The U.S. Border Patrol has full capability to manage the detention of apprehended aliens in its permanent facilities. Manpower and other resources dedicated to temporary processing facilities will be redirected toward other priorities and will speed CBP’s progress in gaining operational control over the southwest border.”
The agency said U.S. Border Patrol nationwide apprehensions averaged an estimated 330 per day in February, the first full month since President Donald Trump issued executive order to secure the border. The agency said the average is the lowest average number of apprehensions in CBP history. Along the southwest border, apprehensions are less than 300 per day, the agency said.
CBP said the closings will not only save money but will allow USBP agents previously assigned to those temporary facilities to return to their primary enforcement duties along the border.