MIAMI - Immigrant advocates say the U.S. government is allowing migrant children at a Florida facility to languish in “prison-like conditions” after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border instead of releasing them promptly to family as required by federal rules. A court filing Friday revealed conditions inside the Homestead, Florida, facility that has become the nation’s biggest location for detaining immigrant children. “I have not seen my mom or any family for so long.” The children’s allegations come as officials struggle to accommodate increasing numbers of minors illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. The Homestead facility, run by a private contractor, houses 2,200 minors and is expanding to add hundreds of beds. The Trump administration has long complained about the 1997 settlement, which generally means the government should release children in about 20 days.

Source: thestar May 31, 2019 23:37 UTC