Homestead Detention Center

Visit by Indivisible members to Homestead, Fl children's prison on April 21-23 to protest the inhumane conditions at this children’s prison. 

This comprehensive information was put together by Nancy Terreri of Lee OFA Indivisible. (Thank you, Nancy!)

 What is Homestead Detention Center?  Homestead, Florida is the site of the largest child detention center in the country, the ONLY for-profit center, and the only shelter deemed “temporary”.  It was opened in June 2016 to house what HHS calls unaccompanied alien children (UAC).  From June 2016 to April 2017 it sheltered 8,500 children, then closed.  It was reactivated in March 2018 and currently houses more than 2,000 children.  HHS now plans to expand to house up to 3,200 children beginning in mid-April.  Children at Homestead are 13-17 yrs of age. About 75% are male and 25% female.  According to HHS children remain an average of 52 days (although there are reports of children staying much longer).  

Why is Homestead particularly troublesome?

HHS operates a network of over 100 state licensed care facilities in 17 states.  The Homestead facility is unique, not just for its size, but because it sits on federal land and therefore is not required to meet Florida state standards or licensing.  It is not inspected by state officials.  Also, because it is deemed a “temporary” shelter HHS says it does not have to comply with the Flores Settlement that limits immigrant children to 20 days of federal detention.  

Costs  Housing immigrant children at a regular shelter is reported to cost $256/day.  The homestead Shelter is costing $750/day/child or about $1.3 million a day.  Once the expansion happens it will cost $2.5million/day!

Monitoring  Homestead has been visited by some congressional delegations.  A group of Democrats, including Debra Wasserman Schultz visited Homestead in June 2018.  They were initially turned away, needing a 2 week advance notice to visit.  A few days later Senator Rubio was allowed to visit.  There have been recent visits by church leaders and the press organized by the company running Homestead CSHI.  No filming is allowed, although HHS provides stock footage to CBS and others.  No one can speak with the children. a group of immigration lawyers visited Homestead last week.  Shortly after that visit the children were observed spending more time outdoors.    On Monday, April 8 Congresswomen Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Donna Shalala, and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell are planning to visit but were told they would not be admitted without 2 weeks notice.  Evidently DWS got a bill passed which makes it mandatory for the government to open facilities to congressional visits without needing to give notice.  Homestead CSHI appears to be breaking the law.

Last week there was a congressional hearing where HHS was asked questions about Homestead and other policies of this administration.  

Who runs the Homestead facility?  DC Capital is the private, for-profit company running the facility.  Last Thursday the Miami Herald reported that John Kelly, former Trump chief of staff, was riding a golf cart at the Homestead facility.  Kelly was a former board member and lobbyist  for DC Capital.  He broke with the company when this was discovered (not reported on his gov. disclosure forms).  HHS referred questions to DC Capital.  The DC Capital board is stacked with former top military and intelligence officials, most with ties to NSA, CIA, & Dept. of Defense.

What happens inside Homestead?  HHS reports that children are immunized and have access to health care.  Education classes are provided by BA trained staff. They say legal services are provided. Those who have been inside report clean but crowded facilities.  Children move in single file and have ID cards around their neck.  They have limited times outside to play volleyball and soccer.  Reports say children are threatened that they won’t be released if they misbehave.  Once turning 18, if no sponsor identified, children are shackled and taken to adult facilities.  

Who is watching and advocating for the children?  A group called Witness Homestead has been monitoring the facility for a continuous 55 days.  There are only a few who are there daily.  Others come from time to time to “witness”.  While there the advocates hold signs, sing, and climb ladders to see the children over the 8 foot cement wall.  The children sometimes wave, make hearts with their hands, and yell hello.  There is no direct contact.  The children know someone is there and watching.  The goal is to raise awareness and have a sustained presence, eventually closing Homestead.

What do we want if Homestead closes?  Ideally, all children will be united with family members.  If there are children who don’t have family ties they should be placed in smaller facilities run by non profit agencies that are properly monitored.

What can we do?  While media coverage of the Homestead detention facility is growing, there is a need for greater awareness and action. 

Visit The Witness Homestead group on the ground is small.  They are asking for others to join them at the site to “witness” and report.  Going in groups helps to get coverage and can be linked to activities on site….. speakers, prayer groups, sing alongs.  The FB page Witness: Tornillo.Target:Homestead  has lots of information.  If you click Announcements there’s an application for visitors to plan their stay. There are hotels nearby and campgrounds.  

Lobby Contact your representatives at state and local levels.  Write letters to local newspapers.  Share on Facebook. Follow the Witness Homestead Facebook page.  Write petitions to close Homestead. Support Senator Merkley’s Bill 397 “Shut Down Child Prison Camps Act”.

Donate The Witness Homestead group is requesting donations to help keep monitors on the ground.  There is a Go Fund Me account called “Witness Homestead Support”.  There are also organizations that work with the children once released (but I don’t have recommendations).

I will be visiting Homestead on Thursday & Friday (April 11&12) together with another member of Lee OFA Indivisible.  Pine Island Roar is planning a group visit sometime in the future.

Best sites for information include the Facebook site Witness: Tornillo. Target:Homestead, the Miami Herald, media@acf.hhs.gov. 

With this all taking place in Florida, it would be great for Indivisible groups across Florida to organize around this issue.