Posted by A federal agency is closing a detention facility in New York City for illegal immigrants awaiting deportation proceedings.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Harold Ort told The Associated Press Thursday that the Varick Street Detention Facility will close on Feb. 26. Detainees will be moved to the Hudson County Correctional Center in Kearny, N.J.
The ICE spokesman says metropolitan area jails can house the illegal immigrants at less than half the cost of the Manhattan facility. Ort refused to release figures, but stressed the move was a significant cost savings opportunity for ICE.
The Rev. Donna Schaper, president of The New Sanctuary Coalition of New York City, expressed relief the immigrants would still be close enough to receive visits from their families.
Source: AP
