El Paso magistrate judge Humberto Acosta ordered the release of illegal immigrants who were detained following a border entry point riot that overwhelmed Texas National Guard troops.
During an online hearing, the judge accused prosecutors of not being ready to proceed with detention hearings for each defendant.
“It is the ruling of the court that all the rioting participation cases will be released on their own recognizance,” Acosta ruled.
The judge then ruled that all those charged with “rioting participation” would be released on their own recognizance.
The arrests stemmed from an incident where a mob of mostly Venezuelan men tore down fencing and assaulted National Guard troops trying to gain entry.
Some faced assault charges for knocking down personnel.
It was unclear if the judge’s ruling applied only to those charged with riot participation rather than more serious offenses.
The prosecutor requested a continuance but was denied, leading to the release order. Those with federal immigration holds would remain detained.
