Mexicans are processed and sent back across the border within a few hours but Mexico won't allow the United States to send them citizens from other countries — and under U.S. law, they're entitled to a deportation hearing.
Because the immigration service lacks prison beds to hold them, the vast majority of OTMs are released from custody and asked to voluntarily return for their court date — which the majority of them do not do.
"They are given a piece of paper called a notice to appear, which administratively starts the ball rolling for a deportation hearing," said Cutler. "Not surprisingly, fewer than 15 percent show up."