Press Releases

On Saturday, June 23, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson will tour the Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children. In an effort to uplift the children's spirits help brighten up the environment, she is bringing 50 red, white and blue balloons to the shelter.

"Earlier this week I traveled to Brownsville, Texas, to tour two facilities that are housing migrant children who have been separated from their parents. On Saturday, June 23, I will visit the Homestead facility in Homestead, Florida," said Congresswoman Wilson, who also plans to visit the His House shelter in Miami-Dade County as soon as possible.

"I had very much hoped to see and speak with some of the migrant girls during the Brownsville tours, but unfortunately that did not happen. As I have been furiously publicizing on social media and in tweetstorms for the past several days, none of the images that our government has produced of migrant children picture girls and that is very concerning.

"I have been particularly worried about the girls' physical and emotional well-being. Adolescence and puberty can be difficult under the best of circumstances, especially for girls. This is the worst time for them to be away from their mothers, especially those who have not yet had the talk about the kinds of changes their bodies will experience. It is important that they are given not just the proper supplies, but the emotional support required to address this vulnerable period in their lives. We must also remember that although the girls speak a common language, as with any group, they have cultural differences that also must be considered.

"It is my great hope that I will be able to speak with the girls housed at the Homestead shelter and that some of these concerns will be eased.

"The treatment that the migrant children and their parents have received by the U.S. government marks a shameful period in our nation's history. Hopefully our visit will signal to the children that there are people on the outside who are fighting for them and care very much about their welfare and reuniting them with their families."

Before and after the tour, Congresswoman Wilson will participate in a press availability with reporters.

Who: Congresswoman Frederica Wilson

What: Tour of the Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children

Where: 960 Bougainville Boulevard, Homestead, Florida

When: Saturday, June 23, 2018 at 12:30 p.m.