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Editorial: Pasco County's caring step for migrant children

 
Published Oct. 22, 2014

Pasco County commissioners made the right call this week when they approved the expansion of a shelter that houses migrant children from Central America. The commissioners understand that the children deserve compassion and not the bigoted, xenophobic response voiced by too many opponents of the modest expansion.

Since the spring, Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services has quietly housed immigrant boys at a shelter in Holiday. The boys stay an average of 17 days, the amount of time it takes to connect them with relatives or sponsors who will house them until their immigration hearings. In May, Gulf Coast asked the county for permission to double the shelter's capacity from 16 to 32 beds. Opponents characterized the children — all unaccompanied minors — as disease-ridden, gang-affiliated criminal moochers. Supporters said they were fleeing violence and poverty and deserved the community's care. The children's care is funded by the federal government.

The Pasco County Planning Commission recommended approval of the agency's request earlier this month and sent it to the County Commission, which approved it 3-2 on Tuesday. Commission Chairman Jack Mariano and Commissioner Henry Wilson voted against the expansion Tuesday, citing some of the same NIMBY-laced arguments as other opponents. Commissioners Ted Schrader, Pat Mulieri and Kathryn Starkey deserve credit for standing up for the children and their dreams for a better life.