REPORTERS ARE GETTING A TOUR OF THE FACILITY IN ARTESIA THAT'LL HOUSE HUNDREDS OF IMMIGRANT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FROM CENTRAL AMERICA. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ARE PROVIDING THE TOUR ON THURSDAY AT ARTESIA'S FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTER. REPORTERS TAKING THE TOUR WILL ALSO GET A CHANCE TO SEE HOW ICE HAS PREPARED TO HOUSE IMMIGRANTS WITH PENDING CASES. ABOUT 700 ARE EXPECTED AT THE FACILITY.
SINCE LAST OCTOBER, BORDER PATROL AGENTS HAVE DETAINED MORE THAN 52 THOUSAND IMMIGRANT CHILDREN CROSSING THE BORDER INTO THE U-S, MOSTLY IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY.
THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION LAST WEEK ANNOUNCED PLANS TO OPEN NEW FACILITIES FOR THE FAMILIES AFTER NOTING A SURGE OF CHILDREN ILLEGALLY COMING INTO THE U-S.
