By MARIA VERZA
Associated Press

NUEVO LAREDO, Mexico (AP) - Dozens of migrants headed to an international bridge over the Rio Grande for an asylum hearing inside a tent court in Laredo, Texas.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan headed to the area to tour the new facility on Tuesday, a day after it opened.

The Department of Homeland Security had said it planned to spend $155 million to build and operate the tent courts, but it expects the costs to ultimately be less than that.

Critics have denounced the proceedings because they are closed to the public and difficult for attorneys to access to provide legal representation.

Cuban migrant Abel Oset and his son were among those who hoped they would be able to stay in the U.S. He must convince a judge he is afraid to return to Mexico.

Associated Press Writer Colleen Long contributed to this report from Washington.

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