SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - The federal government has begun releasing Haitian immigrants due to overcrowding at detention centers.
There has been a recent spike in Haitians trying to enter the United States through Mexico. Thousands have arrived in Tijuana trying to cross through the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement currently has 4,000 Haitians in custody, however, new arrivals will not be jailed.
The Associated Press reported that due to the influx, new Haitian migrants will be turned over to ICE. Some will be released following an immigration hearing, unless they have a criminal record.
CBS News 8 profiled the Haitian humanitarian crisis at the border as thousands waited for a U.S. Customs Border Protection appointment.
Since September, ICE has reported more than 900 Haitians have been deported - only a quarter of them were criminals.
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