These Democrat reps were devastated after seeing the conditions children live in at the country's largest detention facility for migrant kids.
» Subscribe to NowThis: [ Ссылка ]
Democratic lawmakers Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Rep. Donna Shalala, and Rep. Joaquin Castro toured America’s largest detention facility for migrant children. This is what they saw.
POWELL:
As a mother, it was very difficult to walk through the center. It has a prison-like feel.
SHALALA:
This was a chilling experience not because the staff that work there isn't trying to do the best for the children but because the system itself is unacceptable.
POWELL:
We walked into a room that has bunk beds where 144 kids are sleeping in one area. We saw kids that were eating in a tent. I don't know how many kids were able to eat there.
SHALALA:
It's unacceptable to keep children in these kinds of situations for a very long period of time.
CASTRO:
The young boys and girls that we visited today in Homestead are the very ones on which Donald Trump has made his political career.
POWELL:
What I did not see -- and this is a message for the Trump administration -- I did not see criminals. I did not see gang members.
CASTRO:
These were young, hopeful kids. These are not invaders. These are people who are oftentimes frightened by what they left behind in their home countries and hopeful that the United States will be what it has been for generations of people from all over the world.
POWELL:
I saw kids who have hope that this country will welcome them. And I'm sorry, but I have kids, some similar ages, and it's very tough to see. Those kids are full of hope that we will welcome them and that they will be reunited with family member.
SHALALA:
The definition of unaccompanied is much too narrow. If you don't come with a parent but you come with an aunt, an uncle, a cousin or a brother, you're defined as unaccompanied.
POWELL:
I spoke with a young girl who's been at the center for nine months. She was separated from her aunt crossing at the border. So it does seem like there are children that have been separated from their family members at the border.
SHALALA:
We need to get these children to family members much more quickly and Congress will have the opportunity, particularly the House of Representatives, to look at what's holding up the process. If it's resources, or if it needs to be rethought through, we ought to provide those kinds of resources and make sure that the leadership is there.
The detention center in Homestead, Florida is the largest American facility for unaccompanied children. Almost 1,600 migrant children are held at the center. The ‘shelter’ is run by a private, for-profit company.
CASTRO:
I think there should be no profit motive in warehousing young migrant kids. This is part of a morally bankrupt system.
///
GARCIA:
I'm on the sub-committee of immigration reform. Next week we will be having a hearing on Tuesday, specifically on the separation policy. So we will get to the bottom of this. We will leave no stone unturned, because we've got to make sure that these children are treated with dignity, with respect, and with human kindness.
#Democrats #Immigration #DetentionCenter #ICE #DHS
Connect with NowThis
» Like us on Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
» Tweet us on Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
» Follow us on Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
» Find us on Snapchat Discover: [ Ссылка ]
NowThis is your premier news outlet providing you with all the videos you need to stay up to date on all the latest in trending news. From entertainment to politics, to viral videos and breaking news stories, we’re delivering all you need to know straight to your social feeds. We live where you live.
[ Ссылка ]
@nowthisnews
