Photos show Border Patrol's largest processing facility, a former warehouse where families are separated and hundreds of migrant children are kept in cages

The migrants are contained in large cages, sleep in mattresses on the floor of the facility, and are given foil blankets for warmth. Border Patrol agents told media that everyone in the facility is given adequate food, access to showers, clean clothing, and medical care.

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On Sunday, the facility was holding 751 family members and 258 youth. The facility was divided into separate wings: one for unaccompanied children, one for adults, and one for mothers and fathers with children.

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Children at the age of four and under are not separated from their parents at the McAllen facility, according to Rio Grande Sector Chief Manuel Padilla, though he said that could change. By law, children must be turned over from Border Patrol custody to shelters funded by the Health and Human Services Department within 72 hours.

A number of disturbing stories have emerged from advocates and lawyers who have toured the McAllen facility and other similar facilities. Michelle Brane, director of migrant rights at the Women's Refugee Commission, said she met with a 16-year-old girl who for three days had been taking care of a young girl who was separated from her mother. The 16-year-old said she had to teach other children in the cell to change her diaper.

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