Dimmit County rejects proposed immigration facility


Posted: Tuesday, June 28, 2016 6:45 pm | Updated: 9:46 pm, Tue Jun 28, 2016. Associated Press |

CARRIZO SPRINGS — Officials in a South Texas county have voted against a contract to open a new immigrant family holding center there.

The San Antonio Express-News reports Dimmit County commissioners voted Monday against the contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the 1,000-bed facility in Carrizo Springs, about 120 miles southwest of San Antonio. The vote came as residents expressed worries about having large numbers of immigrants in their community.

Existing similar facilities — in Karnes County and Dilley, 40 miles away — opened in 2014 as federal officials implemented large-scale family detention when large numbers of Central American women and children illegally crossed into Texas.

Dan Stratton, whose South Carolina company would have operated the center, said it would have created about 400 jobs in the area.

Texas briefs: Dimmit County rejects proposed immigration facility