An airport on the outskirts of Houston has been a transportation hub for migrants who are returned to their home country. Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas is used frequently by ICE to transport migrants.
ICE stated:
“The agency’s air transportation division facilitates the transfer and removal of noncitizens via commercial airlines and chartered flights in support of ICE field offices and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiatives.”
With the migrants that go through the airport, the facility has made some adjustments to support the new travelers.
Marv Esterly, Director of Aviation at Valley International Airport said:
“We just went back through our crew and change, you know, if we’re going to have people overnight in the terminal building, we want to make sure that, you know, we were able to take care of restroom facilities and things like that. And so we were staffing more at those hours.”
A Venezuelan migrant named Roger said:
“We’ve been here five days waiting on our flight. Our flight is tonight at 8. Our journey is almost over, thank god. Always blessing us, and to god to continue blessing those who are still making their journey and to protect them.”
Some migrants may stay for days at the airport waiting for a flight home.
Under Title 42, ICE used the airport to send migrants back to their home country. In early May, 133 male and female migrants were sent home to Guatemala.
With the number of migrants crossing the border down since Title 42 ended, the airport may not be as busy as before. Only time will tell.
Do you think the number of migrants crossing the border will increase?
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