This is the border for unaccompanied immigrant minors 4:58
(CNN) ––
As the number of unaccompanied migrant minors crossing the US-Mexico border has increased, hundreds of them have remained in US Border Patrol facilities unsuitable for them.
Secretary of Homeland Security says the border is closed and did not give a date on when there will be new facilities for unaccompanied minors
The Biden administration has not allowed journalists to independently visit these facilities.
However, several legislators were in those places.
In fact, Democratic Representative Henry Cuéllar provided these images that reveal the conditions of dozens of children and adults in an overflow facility in Donna, Texas.
Images released by Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar's office show conditions inside a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility in Donna, Texas, over the weekend.
As of this Sunday, 822 minors were detained at the Border Patrol facilities, in conditions similar to those of a jail and for more than 10 days, according to documents obtained by CNN.
The number of children detained for a long period of time has increased almost daily.
Meanwhile, the government struggles to find suitable places to accommodate them, amid constraints related to the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 14,000 immigrant minors are in U.S. custody, Biden government reveals
Images released by Representative Cuéllar's office reveal the circumstances within the Donna, Texas facility for migrant minors and adults.
CNN and Cuéllar's office darkened parts of the image to protect the identity of the minors.
"As soon as possible"
The Secretary of National Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, avoided mentioning a deadline for minors at the border to stay in more humane conditions.
Despite pressure from CNN's Dana Bash on "State of the Union," Mayorkas only said it will be "as soon as possible."
This US Border Patrol facility in Donna, Texas, exceeded its capacity limits.
The official told Bash that the Biden administration "works around the clock to get these children out of Border Patrol facilities."
And put them "in the care and custody of the Department of Health and Human Services that shelters them," he added.
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"From the beginning, I have repeatedly said that a Border Patrol station is no place for a child," Mayorkas said.
This US Border Patrol facility in Donna, Texas, exceeded its capacity limits.
The facility in Donna, Texas, to process migrant minors
In early February, CBP announced the opening of a less severe facility in Donna, with the goal of prosecuting people.
This center is different from typical Border Patrol stations and provides eating and sleeping areas, according to the agency.
However, the growing number of migrants arriving at the border has overwhelmed the administration's resources.
Which has led to overcrowded conditions.
The Border Patrol facility in Donna, Texas, is overwhelmed.
The average length of time unaccompanied children remain in custody is still around 130 hours, documents show.
This is a figure that exceeds the legal limit of 72 hours.
However, the number of children under CBP dropped slightly to just under 4,900, according to the records.
The Border Patrol facility in Donna, Texas.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Monday that the photos "show what we've been saying for a long time: that these Border Patrol facilities are not places made for children."
Psaki added that the administration continues to focus on implementing solutions that include streamlining processes and opening additional facilities run by the Department of Health and Human Services.
"Our alternative is to send the children back on this treacherous journey," he added.
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