Health and Human Services (HHS) deputy general counsel Mark Greenberg informed Florida general counsel Ryan Newman in a letter this week that “Florida cannot take action against federal contractors for activities that are expressly authorized by federal law,” Orlando Sentinel reports.
Children who arrive to the U.S. without their parents are designated as “unaccompanied minors” and are placed in HHS-contracted facilities until they can be quickly and safely connected to a sponsor, usually a relative. Seventeen facilities in the state currently shelter children, receiving nearly $70 million in federal funds last year.
These are agencies that have been given the serious task of caring for some of the most vulnerable among us, yet Ron DeSantis chose to create a state of confusion and uncertainty where none had existed before. When kids have to be in U.S. custody, it should be as short a time as possible, and in fully licensed facilities with professional and humane surroundings that serve their best interests. But DeSantis’ plan actively works against this. It’s a plan that intentionally makes no sense; it’s a blatantly political scheme that uses vulnerable kids as his pawns in the quest for higher office.
Orlando Sentinel noted that the Biden administration’s “letter might offer some assurance to Florida providers, but the issue is far from settled.”
“Nobody’s quite sure” if the issue is resolved, Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Miami CEO Peter Routsis-Arroyo said in the report. “I know there’s still some sort of communications that are taking place. It remains to be seen.” This Catholic Charities site currently shelters about 50 children, the report said. Other Catholic Charities affiliates, such as Rio Grande Valley, have been under right-wing attack for aiding asylum-seeking families.
Ron DeSantis’ anti-child agenda has also been under intense criticism by faith leaders in recent days, who have arrived to the state capitol to oppose anti-immigrant legislation being quickly pushed through the legislature by GOP lawmakers.
These faith leaders have also called his anti-child agenda “outrageously vile and contrary to the sacred trust granted to certain officials elected officials. It attacks the well-being of all children who enter the United States in hopes of finding a new life free of fear, and open to new opportunities.” Click here to send a message urging state lawmakers to protect immigrant children and families.
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