US immigration agencies expand detention centers and tighten application signatures

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced plans to open four new immigration detention facilities, adding capacity in Hudson, Colorado, and in two Texas cities—San Antonio and El Paso. The Hudson site, formerly a correctional facility, is expected to hold about 1,200 detainees, while the Texas locations will increase overall detention space as part of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) effort to accommodate a growing number of people in immigration custody.

Separately, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented a new rule effective July 10 that expands signature verification for immigration benefit applications. Under the rule, any irregularity in a signature discovered at any stage can lead to a rejection or denial of the case, and applicants cannot simply replace the page with a corrected signature. The change aims to strengthen identity verification and ensure that applicants personally certify the information provided.