The long term detention of hundreds of migrant families who are currently being held at two facilities in Texas might come to an end, as federal officials are working to end the long detention of the illegal families. This was announced by the Homeland Security Secretary this week.

However the change in policy received a lukewarm response from most, many immigration advocates and lawmakers were not very forthcoming on the policy change. The Secretary stated – “I have reached the conclusion that we must make substantial changes in our detention practices with respect to families with children, once a family has established eligibility for asylum or other relief under our laws, long-term detention is an inefficient use of our resources and should be discontinued.”

Tens of thousands of immigrating families who were mostly from Central America had crossed over into the state of Texas last summer, as the government invested millions of dollars into 2 large detention centers that could hold women and children. Both these centers are located to the south of San Antonio, while a third facility is located in Pennsylvania.

At the end of last month more than 1800 families were being held in the detention centers, according to officials.