Federal officials say they are releasing Haitian immigrants who have been entering the country by the thousands since last year, backtracking on a pledge to jail them before they are deported. A U.S. government official told The Associated Press that the decision to free Haitians arriving in Arizona and California is in response to a lack of jail space.
Between October of 2015 and late September, about 5,000 Haitians have arrived at San Diego's San Ysidro port of entry, overwhelming border inspectors. Another 40,000 are on their way, officials have said.
They arrive at the U.S. border with Mexico, many after traveling 7,000 miles by foot, taxi and bus from Brazil through eight nations.