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Photos: Inside a detention center for migrant children

June 19, 2014 11:08AM ET

The Customs and Border Patrol is overwhelmed by a flood of minors illegally entering the U.S. from Central America

Topics:
U.S.
Immigration
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migrant children Customs and Border Patrol
Children detained after entering the U.S. illegally sleep in a holding cell at a placement center in Nogales, Arizona, one of two processing centers that the Customs and Border Patrol opened for media on Wednesday. Ross D. Franklin / AP
migrant children Customs and Border Patrol
The two centers (children sleep at the one in Brownsville, Texas, above) are helping to house some of the tens of thousands of underage migrants from Central America who have entered the U.S. illegally since October. Eric Gay / AP
migrant children Customs and Border Patrol
CBP agents work at the processing facility in Brownsville. The dramatic increase of minors is attributed to a subtle change in immigration policy that allows minors from Central America to remain in the country with a promise to cooperate with deportation proceedings. Eric Gay / AP
migrant children Customs and Border Patrol
Boys wait in line to make a phone call at the Nogales center. The children at the centers will be sent to juvenile detention facilities around the country, where efforts will be made to release them to relatives. Ross D. Franklin / AP
migrant children Customs and Border Patrol
A CPB officer helps some of the boys with the phones at Nogales. Ross D. Franklin / AP
migrant children Customs and Border Patrol
Clothes for detainees are sorted at the facility in Brownsville. Many of the children enter the country with almost nothing but the clothes they are wearing. Eric Gay / AP
migrant children Customs and Border Patrol
Conditions are cramped at both centers, with very little room for movement. This television at the Nogales center is screening a World Cup soccer match. Ross D. Franklin / AP
migrant children Customs and Border Patrol
A CPB officer gives children crayons and paper for drawing at the Brownsville center. The children are not allowed outside, except for 45 minutes of exercise a day. Eric Gay / AP
migrant children Customs and Border Patrol
Children sleep at the Brownsville facility. They are supposed to be processed within three days, but for some it takes longer. Eric Gay / AP