Taylor Detention Facility Ended "Catch and Release"
In 2005, the so-called "catch and release" of non-Mexican immigrants became ensnared in concerns about terrorism and a fiery debate in Congress about immigration and border security. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of non-Mexican immigrants, most from Central American and Asian nations, were entering the country illegally.
The immigrants, known as OTMs, the Border Patrol term for "other than Mexicans," knew that if detention beds were not available — they usually weren't — they would probably be released, with notices to appear later for court hearings.
In response to such pressure, Department of Homeland Security promised last March to create more family detention facilities. In May 2006, the Hutto center opened in a former state prison in Taylor. JUAN CASTILLO in the Austin American-Statesman.