Texas detention centre for teenage migrants to stay open into 2019

The Trump administration says it will keep a tent city holding more than 2,000 migrant teenagers open through early 2019.

The announcement was made Wednesday about the Tornillo facility, which opened in June in an isolated corner of the Texas desert for up to 360 children.

READ MORE: After 2 migrant kids die in U.S. custody, homeland security secretary blames ‘parents,’ among others

It later expanded into a guarded detention camp that on Christmas held some 2,300 largely Central American boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 17 in more than 150 canvas tents.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Mark Weber says Tornillo has stopped receiving new referrals of migrant youth.

WATCH: Anger erupts at Trump administration after 2nd migrant child dies in U.S. custody

1:30 Anger erupts at Trump administration after 2nd migrant child dies in U.S. custody

Originally scheduled to close Dec. 31, Weber says Tornillo will now shut down after the new year. The government also plans to house more teens at another temporary shelter in Florida.