CARRIZO SPRINGS, Texas (AP) – A former oilfield worker camp off a dirt road in rural Texas has become the U.S. government’s newest holding center for detaining migrant children after they leave Border Patrol stations.
Inside the wire fence that encircles the site in Carrizo Springs are soccer fields, a giant air-conditioned tent that serves as a dining hall, and trailers that are used as dorms and classrooms.
The Department of Health and Human Services says about 225 children are being held at the site.
HHS says it needs the space to move children out of Border Patrol stations, where complaints of overcrowding and filthy conditions have sparked a worldwide outcry.
In this July 9, 2019, photo, teachers decorate a classroom at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. Following breakfast, children play soccer and then have classes held in trailers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this July 9, 2019, photo, a staff member works in the infirmary, a series of tents, at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this Tuesday, July 9, 2019, photo, information is posted on the walls of a dormitory at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this Tuesday, July 9, 2019, photo, Baptist Child and Family Services CEO Kevin Dinnin talks about medical equipment at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this July 9, 2019 photo, immigrants line up in the dinning hall at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this July 9, 2019, photo, immigrants play soccer at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. The Department of Health and Human Services, which holds immigrant children unaccompanied by a parent under federal law, says about 225 children are currently held at a former “man camp” for oilfield workers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this July 9, 2019, photo, immigrants pass a menu in the dinning hall at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. The government said the holding center will give it much-needed capacity to take in more children from the Border Patrol. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this July 9, 2019, photo, a copy of the Pledge of Allegiance rests next to an immigrant in a writing class the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. Following breakfast, play soccer and then have classes held in trailers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this Tuesday, July 9, 2019, photo, immigrants say the Pledge of Allegiance in a writing class at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. Following breakfast, children play soccer and then have classes held in trailers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this July 9, 2019, photo, decorations cover the walls of rooms of immigrants at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. Long trailers once used to house oil workers in two-bedroom suites have been turned into 12-person dorms, with two pairs of bunk beds in each bedroom and the living room. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this July 9, 2019, photo, immigrants play soccer at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. The Department of Health and Human Services, which holds immigrant children unaccompanied by a parent under federal law, says about 225 children are currently held at a former “man camp” for oilfield workers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this Tuesday, July 9, 2019, photo, staff walks through a dormitory at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. The government said the holding center will give it much-needed capacity to take in more children from the Border Patrol. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this July 9, 2019, photo, a staff member works in the infirmary, a series of tents, at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. The government said the holding center will give it much-needed capacity to take in more children from the Border Patrol. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this July 9, 2019, photo, an immigrant sits in her room at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. The government said the holding center will give it much-needed capacity to take in more children from the Border Patrol. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this July 9, 2019, photo, a staff member cleans in a dinning hall at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. The government said the holding center will give it much-needed capacity to take in more children from the Border Patrol. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this July 9, 2019, photo, an immigrant is attended to in the infirmary at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. Following breakfast, children play soccer and then have classes held in trailers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this Tuesday, July 9, 2019, photo, decorations cover the walls of the rooms of immigrants at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. Long trailers once used to house oil workers in two-bedroom suites have been turned into 12-person dorms, with two pairs of bunk beds in each bedroom and the living room. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this Tuesday, July 9, 2019, photo, at sunrise, immigrants are escorted to a tent that serves a dining hall for the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. The Department of Health and Human Services, which holds immigrant children unaccompanied by a parent under federal law, says about 225 children are currently held at a former “man camp” for oilfield workers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 
In this July 9, 2019, photo, staff escort immigrants to class at the U.S. government’s newest holding center for migrant children in Carrizo Springs, Texas. Following breakfast, children play soccer and then have classes in trailers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
