New Mexico Congressman Vasquez Warns of Otero Immigration Center Concerns

New Mexico Congressional Representative District 2, Gabe Vasquez, says an immigrant detention facility in his district is “bursting at the seams,” and he blames that largely on the Trump administration’s penchant for confining migrants who have not committed serious crimes.

During a congressional visit to the holding facility the Congressman stated, "What we saw at this facility is that more than 80 percent of the detainees have no criminal convictions, no pending criminal charges. We also saw non-working phones, and non-working toilets."

The comments came after the federal lawmaker who conducted an oversight visit of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Otero County, near El Paso, Texas.

Congressman Vasquez wanted to see the installation, check reports of the migrants not having access to legal representation and hear their concerns. He says he got a tour of an empty dormitory, an empty kitchen and was not allowed to talk to migrants.

Records show the ICE Otero County Processing Center has a maximum capacity of 1,089 detainees. Vasquez said he was told the facility is holding 1,100 individuals now, and that more are on the way and it is at maximum capacity. 

Earlier, in neighboring El Paso County, Texas, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, said she was denied entry to an ICE facility in El Paso. On Wednesday, she announced that a dozen members of Congress sued to assert their rights to conduct oversight at federal facilities.

As for the assertion that the overwhelming majority of migrants and undocumented immigrants detained and facing deportation have not committed crimes, ICE and Trump administration leaders suggest that is not the case. 

The Trump administration asserts that  “illegal aliens” cannot expect the same level of due process as American citizens. Cases are winding through the courts to determine an answer to that assertion. 

Local independent pastors and leaders of the Catholic faith question local detention center conditions. Some pastors have asked for access to provide spiritual guidance only to be denied access. Those of honest faith wonder, "what would Jesus do?"

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