REVEALED: The seven hotels near the border that will be taken over by ICE, turned into 'casas' and will house 1,200 migrants released from custody as part of an $86.9 million government contract
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is taking over seven hotels and starting Friday will start housing some migrant families who have entered the United States illegally over the U.S.-Mexico border.
A first wave of about 600 migrants will head to four properties starting Friday, with another 600 migrants slated to move into three additional properties starting April 30.
Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the Trump administration was able to send all border-crossers back to Mexico, however Mexico changed a law and now families with young children can't be sent back - meaning the U.S. government needs to find places to house them.
ICE Acting Director Tae D. Johnson told that the agency has 'signed a short-term contract with the non-profit division of Endeavors to provide temporary shelter and processing services for families who have not been expelled and are therefore placed in immigration proceedings for their removal from the United States.'
'The $86.9 million contract provides 1,239 beds and other necessary services. The families will receive a comprehensive health assessment that includes COVID-19 testing,' he added.
Johnson also pressed, 'Our border is not open. The majority of individuals continue to be expelled under the Centers for Disease Control’s public health authority.'
The seven hotels are part of large American chains.
The Washington Examiner first reported Thursday on the development and that ICE has nicknamed each of the hotels a different 'casa,' which is Spanish for house.
Outside of Phoenix, for example, a Holiday Inn will transform into 'La Casa de la Luz,' of 'House of Light.'
PHOENIX: 'La Casa de la Luz,' or House of Light, for the Holiday Inn will accept more than 200 people starting Friday. It is located 15 miles southeast of Phoenix in Chandler and has a large pool
PHOENIX: The swimming pool at 'La Casa de la Luz' or House of Light, which will be used to house more than 200 people starting Friday
PHOENIX: A large room at the Holiday Inn, which is being called the 'House of Light' by ICE
PHOENIX: Phoenix's Sure Stay Best Western motel rooms will hold 142 people as the 'Casa de Alegria' or House of Joy. It is located close to the airport
PHOENIX: Phoenix's Sure Stay Best Western motel rooms will hold 142 people as the 'Casa de Alegria' or House of Joy. It is located close to the airport
That property features a lagoon-shaped outdoor pool, according to pictures from the hotel chain IHG's website - and will house more than 200 people.
Also in Phoenix, a Sure Stay Best Western Hotel will house 172 people.
It's being referred to as the 'Casa de Alegria' or 'House of Joy.'
In El Paso, Texas, a Best Western two miles south of the city's international airport will become 'Casa Estralla' or 'Star House.'
The propery is located next to a Starbucks and 186 beds will be made available.
The multi-colored property boasts an indoor-outdoor pool surrounded by bright blue lounge chairs, according to photos from Best Western's website.
EL PASO: On Friday, families will be moved into a Best Western in El Paso, which ICE had dubbed 'Casa Estrella' or 'Star House.' The hotel is making at least 186 beds available. The building is located next to a Starbucks and 2 miles south of El Paso International Airport
EL PASO: The covered portion of the pool area at the El Paso Best Western
EL PASO: An exterior shot of the 'Casa Estralla' or 'Star House' ICE will use starting Friday
EL PASO: 158 beds are available at the Comfort Suites. The Comfort Suites will be referred to as the 'Casa Consuelo,' or House of Consolation
EL PASO: One of the standard rooms at the Comfort Suites' 'Casa Consuelo'
EL PASO: A larger room at the Comfort Suites
A nearby Comfort Suites in El Paso will be the 'Casa Consuelo' or 'House of Consolation,' according to the Examiner's report.
Some rooms feature couches.
There, 158 beds will be made available for migrants who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.
The Examiner reported that phase two of the project to move migrants into hotels will take place starting April 30, with hotel rooms opening up in Pecos and Cotulla Texas.
A WoodSpring Suites in Pecos, Texas will turn into the 'La Case de La Paz or 'House of Peace.'
The suites feature kitchenettes and living rooms.
In Pecos, 107 beds will be reserved for migrant families.
PECOS: Starting April 30, 107 beds will be available for families brought to the WoodSpring Suites in Pecos, Texas. 'La Casa de La Paz,' or House of Peace
PECOS: The 'House of Peace' has in-room kitchens and living rooms rather than just bedrooms
PECOS: One of the beds in the 'House of Peace.' Overall, 107 rooms will be made available through ICE
In Cotulla, Texas Wyndham's Microtel and a Hilton-brand Hampton Inn will hold a combined 338 people.
The Microtel will be called 'Casa de Compasion' or 'House of Compassion.'
The Hampton Inn will be transformed into 'Casa Esperanza' or 'House of Hope.'
Pictures on the Hampton Inn's website show an outdoor pool.
Migrants will be fed three times daily and recreational activities will be provided for children and teens. Laundry services will also be provided.
Migrants will also have access to legal help and medical facilities, including mental healthcare services.
Some transportation will be provided to airports and bus stations as long as it folllows COVID-19 protocols.
The Biden administration signed a $69.9 million contract to temporarily house migrant families in hotels as the border, and in turn border facilities, have become overwhelmed.
New numbers out Thursday from Customs and Border Protection showed that the number of unaccompanied minors crossing the border were at an all-time high.
The previous record was when around 11,000 children crossed the border in May 2019.
The March numbers provided by Customs and Border Patrol Thursday represented a 100 per cent increase in crossings compared to February.
Overall in March, the CBP encountered mroe than 172,000 people attempting to gain entry along the Southwest border, which represented a 71 per cent increase over February 2021.
COTULLA: Wyndham's Microtel in Cotulla, Texas is being dubbed 'Casa de Compasion' or House of Compassion
COTULLA: Wyndham's Microtel, 'Casa de Compasion' or House of Compassion, in Cotulla will hold approximately 338 people combined
COTULLA: A bathroom at the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham
COTULLA: The Hilton brand's Hampton Inn in Cotulla is being called 'Casa Esperanza' or House of Hop
COTULLA: The pool at the Hampton Inn, which is being called 'Casa Esperanza' or 'House of Hope'
The CBP's acting commissioner Troy Miller pushed that the situation was under control.
'CBP has experienced an increase in encounters and arrests. This is not new. Encounters have continued to increase since April 2020, and our past experiences have helped us be better prepared for the challenges we face this year,' Miller said in a statement attached to the new numbers. 'We are committed to balancing the needs of maintain border security, care for those in our custody and keep the American people and our workforce safe.'
President Joe Biden also tried to characterize the influx as normal seasonal upticks during his late March press conference.
'It happens every single solitary year. There is a significant increase in the number of people coming to the border in the winter months of January, February, March - it happens every year,' Biden said then.
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