Border Patrol opens Brownsville processing center to media

BROWNSVILLE, TX (KTRK) -- For the first time since a recent surge of unaccompanied children began crossing the border, authorities opened one of their processing centers to the media.

U.S. Border Patrol processing centers all along the Texas border have been overwhelmed in recent weeks due to the thousands of Central American children arriving illegally in to the United States. Many of the children are fleeing poverty and violence in their home country.

"We are seeing some as young as 5, 6 years old traveling alone and that's a scary thing," Border Patrol agent Chris Cabrera said.

Cabrera says they have steadily seen the numbers increase over the last several months.

"It went from maybe four or 500 people a day valley-wide to four or 500 a day at one particular station," Cabrera said.

Since the surge began, leaked pictures of kids allegedly sleeping in cages while being housed by the Border Patrol were revealed. On Wednesday, under strict guidelines, about 30 journalists from Mexico and across the United States were allowed to tour the processing center in Brownsville, Texas.

During the tour, journalists were given a small glimpse of the conditions these kids face soon after they arrive. The first order of business is going through an outdoor triage center where they are able to take a shower in portable restrooms. Their clothes are then washed in a temporary laundromat before visiting with U.S. Coast Guard personnel for medical screenings.

Once inside, they are separated by their age and gender. Many of them lay on the floor under Red Cross blankets and wait until they can be processed and sent to local shelters to begin their last leg of the journey -- the trip to finally meet the family they came here to see.