From NPR.org ....... 'These Are Not Kids Kept In Cages': Inside A Texas Shelter For Immigrant Youth
Boys 10 to 17 years old stand outside a government-contracted youth shelter in Brownsville, Texas.
Ninety percent of the residents traveled to the United States alone seeking protection.
Department of Health and Human Services
This is the largest government-contracted migrant youth shelter in the country: Casa Padre, a former Walmart supercenter converted into living, recreational and dining quarters for nearly 1,500 immigrant boys.
Shelter managers took reporters on a tour of the facility in Brownsville, Texas, on Wednesday, amid criticism over the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy that has led to separating migrant families who crossed the border illegally.
Shelters for minors are now 95 percent full and officials are even considering housing young immigrants temporarily on U.S. military facilities.
Department of Health and Human Services
"We want to show you that these are not kids kept in cages," said Alexia Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for the Texas nonprofit Southwest Key that operates the shelter. "We provide them excellent care."
A network of about 100 migrant youth shelters are now 95 percent full. Casa Padre, which houses boys ages 10 to 17, has room for just 28 more children.
Shelters for minors are now 95 percent full and officials are even considering housing young immigrants temporarily on U.S. military facilities.
Department of Health and Human Services
Most are unaccompanied minors. ACF/HHS/via REUTERS
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