South Florida Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsal-Powell, a member of the House Judiciary Committee and the Hispanic Caucus, joined her peers in visiting the largest facility for unaccompanied migrant children in the U-S. The are trying to see if the children are being properly cared for and plans are in place to reunite them with their parents as soon as possible. There is also a concern about overcrowding and child welfare. Because this is a temporary shelter on federal land it's not subject to state child welfare inspections.
After the tour, Mucarsel and members of Congress held a round table discussion with national and immigration advocates on immigration reform, the DREAM ACT and expanding Temporary Protected Status for migrants.. They also discussed the Homestead facility’s operations, complying with the Flores Agreement settlements and employee background check procedures.
Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro, the Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, South Florida Congresswomen Donna Shalala and Texas Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia were also on the tour.