In English & Español: Rubio Tours Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children

Statement

After touring the Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children today, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following statement:

"This afternoon, I visited the shelter in Homestead, Florida that is housing migrant children. It was heartbreaking to learn of the trauma and hardship they endured in their homeland, and their journey here as a result of being separated from family. Their circumstances are the direct result of the combination of violence and instability in our hemisphere, and the policies and practices that have incentivized adults to bring children on the dangerous journey to unlawfully cross our southern border. I will do all I can to make sure these children are housed in a safe and nurturing environment and reunited with their parents as soon as possible. But we must also help bring an end to this crisis both by helping the nations they are fleeing address the conditions driving this migration and ending immigration policies that incentivize parents to bring children unlawfully into the United States."

On Wednesday, Rubio and his Republican colleagues introduced the Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act, legislation that would ensure the integrity of our nation's immigration laws by requiring that children and their parents remain together during their legal proceedings.

The Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act:

Allows minors under the age 18 to remain with their families pending the outcome of their immigration proceedings.
Ensures the humane and fair treatment of migrant children and families by setting mandatory standards of care for family residential centers. Families will be ensured access to suitable living accommodations, food and water, medical assistance, and any other service necessary for their care.
Keeps children safe by requiring children to be removed from an individual who presents a clear and present danger to the health and safety of the child, including: situations in which DHS cannot verify an individual is the parent of the child; a parent with a violent history of committing aggravated felonies; a child who is a victim of sexual or domestic abuse; a child who is a victim of trafficking.
Authorizes 225 new immigration judges and requires the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General to prioritize resolving the cases of children and families in family residential centers.
Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to increase the number of family residential beds.

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