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Gov. Scott: Separating migrant children from families 'needs to stop now'

Posted at 11:16 PM, Jun 19, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-19 23:20:44-04

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — The state of Florida is becoming part of the national debate over migrant children being separated from their families. 

Florida Sen. Bill Nelson and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz were both denied entry Tuesday into Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children. 

Senator Nelson's leading opponent in the November election is Gov. Rick Scott. 

Tuesday night, Gov. Scott sent a letter to Secretary Alex Azar, II, with the Department of Health and Human Services, demanding answers about the Florida immigration facility. 

"I have been very clear that I absolutely do not agree with the practice of separating children from their families. This practice needs to stop now," said Gov. Scott. 

In February, federal officials made plans to re-open the shelter. There are reportedly 94 children currently housed in Homestead who have been separated from family members, caught illegally crossing the southern U.S. border. 

"There's no voice that they can hear and feel safe. So that's devastating, that's inhumane, that's immoral and that is cruel and unlawful," said Ana Lamb, with the League of United Latin American Citizens. 

Read Gov. Scott's full letter here.