Texas Border Business
By Victor H. Castillo
Rio Grande Valley, Texas — March 10, 2025– The temporary soft-sided migrant processing facility in Donna, Texas, once bustling with activity, has officially closed following a significant decrease in migrant apprehensions. According to Christina Smallwood, Public Affairs Officer for the Rio Grande Valley Sector, the Donna facility was established to accommodate family units and unaccompanied migrant children while permanent facilities underwent renovations.
“This was one of our soft-sided facilities designated exclusively for family units and unaccompanied minors,” explained Smallwood. Similar temporary facilities continue to operate in San Diego and El Paso, while permanent facilities in McAllen and throughout the Rio Grande Valley remain operational.
Smallwood attributed the closure directly to a steep drop in apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border. “We follow all orders enacted by Congress and directives from the administration. The decrease in apprehensions we’ve seen recently is historic—we haven’t seen numbers this low since 1967,” she said.
At its peak, the Donna center was a hub of constant activity, though Smallwood emphasized that despite high traffic, the facility maintained organization and provided comprehensive services. “We had all different types of personnel here, from medical staff to those overseeing recreational activities, particularly for the unaccompanied minors in custody.”
Currently, the facility stands empty. The last migrant family was processed out just last week. Moving forward, migrant processing for the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue primarily through the permanent Centralized Processing Center in McAllen.
The closure signals a notable shift in border operations, reflecting broader immigration trends and policy adjustments under the current administration.
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