EXCLUSIVE: Border authorities released 2,000 migrants into US without notices to appear in court

Border Patrol has released roughly 2,000 people into the United States without providing them the legal documents that mandate they appear in immigration court, effectively relying on them to hold themselves accountable for illegally entering the country, according to a Democratic congressman.

"I thought it was 150 people that they have released without a Notice to Appear, but it actually is getting now closer to 2,000 people they released," Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas, told the Washington Examiner. "I told the person, 'Repeat it one more time.' Two thousand. I thought it was bad when it was 150, but it's now closer to 2,000 people."

It is unprecedented for Border Patrol to catch and release illegal immigrants into the U.S. without a mechanism to ensure they enter legal proceedings. Historically, when border authorities become overwhelmed, taking more people into custody than they can hold in facilities, those buildings become overcrowded, and families may be released into the country with documents that tell them when and where to appear in court for illegally crossing the border, which is a misdemeanor the first time and a felony anytime thereafter.