The 680 were initially arrested at several food-processing plants in Mississippi for allegedly not having proper documentation to be in the US.

Confirming the release of 300 immigrants, ICE spokesman Bryan Cox told the BBC that those who were not released will be moved to an ICE detention facility and held there.

He said “The 300 released are released from custody, they were placed into proceedings before the federal immigration courts and will have their day in court at a later date.”