Trump Administration Quietly Continues 'Catch and Release' Policy

Immigrants being released from detention centers and dropped off in border towns with no support

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Despite years of criticizing the 'catch and release' policy for immigrants, the Trump administration has quietly continued the practice. Immigrants are being released from detention centers near the border and dropped off in towns like Laredo, Texas with no funds or support, forcing local nonprofits to provide temporary shelter and services.

Why it matters

Trump has repeatedly railed against the 'catch and release' policy, vowing to end it, but his administration appears to be continuing the practice covertly. This raises questions about the administration's true immigration enforcement priorities and the human toll of its policies.

The details

In Laredo, Texas, over the past three weeks, around 100 immigrants per day have been dropped off by authorities after being released from a nearby detention center. Many of these individuals are recent border crossers as well as those detained within the U.S. interior. Local Congressman Henry Cuellar was unaware of the releases until recently and expressed concern about the strain on local nonprofits tasked with providing temporary shelter and services to these dropped-off immigrants.

  • Over the past three weeks, around 100 immigrants per day have been dropped off in Laredo, Texas.

The players

Henry Cuellar

A U.S. Representative from Laredo, Texas who was unaware of the immigrant releases until recently and has expressed concern about the impact on local nonprofits.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President who has repeatedly criticized the 'catch and release' policy for immigrants, despite his administration quietly continuing the practice.

Holding Institute

A nonprofit organization in Laredo, Texas that provides temporary shelter and basic services to the immigrants being dropped off in the city.

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What they’re saying

“My response was, no, I did not know that this was happening. They're releasing people from the Dilley facility … to, as far as we know, only one place on the border, which is here at Holding.”

— Henry Cuellar, U.S. Representative (Laredo Morning Times)

What’s next

The full extent of the 'catch and release' policy continuation under the Trump administration is still being investigated, as reports indicate the practice may be happening in other border towns beyond Laredo.

The takeaway

Despite his vocal criticism of the 'catch and release' policy, the Trump administration appears to be quietly continuing the practice, raising concerns about the administration's true immigration enforcement priorities and the human impact of its policies.