Asylum Seekers in Texas Celebrate US Independence Day

Texas has more immigrant detention centers than any state in the US. Among the thousands they hold are asylum seekers who entered the US at the Mexico border.

Fleeing persecution around the world, some try to sneak across the Rio Grande. Other present themselves to Homeland Security officers and ask for help.

They are then held in detention for months while making their cases for asylum.

Upon release, many go to Casa Marianella, a shelter for immigrants in Austin. Some have already received asylum. Other have cases that are still pending.

Amy Bracken is an Immigration Journalism Fellow with the French-American Foundation.