Families slowly leaving Texas detention facility

Teenia Harmon
September 11, 2009
2:30 PM
In Dallas Texas, immigrant families are slowly being released from the prison-like setting that they have known as home. The facility was opened in 2006 to house immigrants as they waited on decision on their immigration cases. The facility was meant to be a short term stop for families tiring to gain entry into the United States, but for many their stay was much longer than expected.
The facility was home to 127 men, women, and children, but only 84 beds were available. The children were often seen in prison-like drab, and their rooms consisted of cots and steal toilets. Children were threatened with separation from their parents for misbehavior. There place is surrounded by coiled barbed-wire, and prison guards are protecting it.
As the facility closes the families are being sent to a much friendlier facility that was once a retirement center.

I think this is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. I do not like that so many people come to this country illegally, but immigration was how our country was made. I think it is insane that these families are being treated like prisoners. Little children have no control over their family situation yet they are treated like they have committed terrible crimes. I think the idea of a halfway house for immigrants is a good one, but not imprisonment- people come to America looking for opportunity. I am very glad to hear that such a horrible place is being shut down and that they are hopefully going to be put in better living conditions.