Trump administration leads to end of catch and release for migrants

In the United States, under the Trump administration, there has been a significant decrease in the number of migrants released into communities through a process known as 'catch and release.' CNN Correspondent Rosa Flores reported during a broadcast that this change was confirmed by a Border Patrol agent, who stated that there has been a 'de facto end' to the practice due to drastically reduced migrant crossings and expedited deportations. The Border Patrol agent clarified that this shift was not a result of a specific directive from the president but rather a response to changing circumstances at the border. Sister Norma Pimentel, the Executive Director of Catholic Charities Rio Grande Valley, provided further insights into this situation, confirming that the organization has seen an almost complete halt in receiving migrant releases since the change in administration. This has posed considerable challenges for charities and organizations that traditionally supported migrants, as they have had to adapt to the current reality where very few individuals are being released. In addition, this alteration in immigration policy appears to be closely linked with corporate interests in the private prison sector. Executives from CoreCivic, one of America's largest private prison companies, expressed optimism about the potential for 'the most significant growth' in the company's history due to immigration-related policies under Trump. They noted that they were proactively preparing for increased demand from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for detention facilities, anticipating new contracts to provide additional beds for migrant detainees. The company has been engaged in discussions with ICE officials and has proposed offering up to 28,000 beds that could contract for more than a billion dollars in revenue. Amid these developments, CoreCivic's leadership believes that their facilities are a preferable choice for the government over alternative detention options, arguing that their operations are more humane and financially advantageous in the current political environment. Ultimately, the shift in how the U.S. handles migrants is expected to have long-term implications for both the individuals affected and the private prison industry.