Texas DFPS Moving Forward To License Immigration Family Residential Centers

On March 1, 2016, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) will begin licensing family residential detention centers (FRCs) operated under contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). DFPS developed this licensing category in response to a July 2015 federal court decision on an application of the 1997 Flores v. Johnson settlement concerning minors housed at two facilities operated by ICE contractors. This caused DFPS to reevaluate whether such facilities fell under its jurisdiction. The decision concerned the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, which is operated by Corrections Corporation of America, and the Karnes County Residential . . .