“Many of these people have recently arrived in the United States and are seeking appointments with immigration agents. Men, women and young children have been seen sleeping in cars and tents in the Florida heat as they wait to be processed,” Soto said in the letter, asking for an investigation and swift solution.
Migrants processed by federal immigration agents at the US southern border are allowed to travel within the US to meet their families. They are usually given a deadline to check in with the local immigration office upon arrival to their final destination.
Garcia, a Venezuelan national, crossed into the US through Texas three months ago and was ordered to wear an ankle monitor with a tracking system when he was processed by immigration agents, he told WESH-TV. The deadline for Garcia’s ICE check-in is unclear.
ICE responds to CNN’s questions
ICE issued a statement to CNN on Saturday that said: “As the Department has continuously stated, DHS has put in place a comprehensive, whole-of-government plan and has established a Southwest Border Coordination Center (SBCC) to manage any potential increase in the number of migrants encountered at the border.”
“In (fiscal year 2021), ICE shifted its operations away from the detention of families while continuing to monitor its operational needs for detention and adjust as needed,” the agency added.
“General operational changes are made to ICE’s civil detention system by quickly adapting to influxes, contractual changes, and other occurrences help the agency meet its national security, border security, and public safety missions,” the statement said.
CNN has also reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment and did not immediately hear back.