Nelson To Visit Miami Holding Facility For 1,000 Kids

HOMESTEAD, FL — U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said he plans to get a firsthand look at a federal holding facility outside Miami on Tuesday where some 1,000 undocumented migrant children are being held. The Florida Democrat said some of the children were separated from their families at the U.S. border from Mexico. Others crossed into the United States on their own.

Some 1,995 children have been taken from their migrant parents at the U.S. border between April 19 and May 31, according to Department of Homeland Security data obtained and reviewed by the Associated Press. That amounts to about 48 kids being separated from their families on any given day.

President Trump repeatedly has blamed the problem on Democrats, saying his political opponents passed the law that is tearing families apart. Democrats insist that no such law exists.

The separations stem from a zero-tolerance policy toward families who are found to be attempting to illegally enter the United States. Adult family members are automatically referred for criminal prosecution — meaning detention pending trial — while their children are held in other facilities. The children are not charged with any crimes.

Before the policy change this spring, entire families were referred for civil deportation proceedings and separation wasn't required.

Administration officials have said that the policy change is aimed at deterring illegal immigration but opponents argue that it is cruel.

Nelson plans to meet with federal officials and tour the Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children.

"Nelson, who has urged the Trump administration to stop its inhumane policy of separating families at the border, filed legislation in the Senate earlier this month to prohibit the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security from continuing the blanket policy of separating children from their parents at the border," according to the senator's office.

The Homestead facility is located at 960 Bougainville Boulevard.

Sen. Bill Nelson photo by Paul Scicchitano