O'Malley Engages Religious Leaders in Immigrant Children Discussion

Gov. Martin O’Malley met with 50 faith leaders Monday to discuss Maryland’s role in sheltering unaccompanied children crossing the Mexican border. 

Catholics, Protestants, Jews and Muslims were included in the private meeting at the State House, where there was general consensus that sheltering large numbers of children in one place was not the solution, The Baltimore Sun reported.

Recently, the Department of Health and Human Services has passed on facilities in Westminster and Baltimore City after studying whether they could be suitable for large numbers of children. 

O'Malley said "the better way to go" would be to connect children with family members or social service providers, according to WBAL.

The federal government is scrambling to find locations for shelters due to the surge of children crossing the Mexican border without adults—90,000 are projected this year, versus 24,000 last year—CBS DC reported. Legally, the government must keep children who are unaccompanied by adults if they come from countries that don't immediately border the U.S., until an adult relative or sponsor is located.

Across the state, 100 children have already been placed, WJZ reported.

In Baltimore County, the Board of Child Care of the United Methodist Church is housing 50 boys near Milford Mill through a grant from the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

In addition, Catholic Charities announced that it is applying to shelter 50 children at its facility in Timonium.

During the meeting Monday, leaders from Catholic Charities, Casa de Maryland, International Social Service Baltimore, the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, the Baltimore Jewish Council and others reportedly discussed various issues from foster care placement to reuniting children with family members.

O'Malley's goals were first to reunite unaccompanied children with their families in Maryland; and if that was not possible, to place them in the federal foster care system; or, as a last resort, to shelter them in group housing situations, The Baltimore Sun reported.

There will be a follow-up meeting next Monday to continue the conversation, according to WJZ.

See Also:

• Catholic Charities Looks to House Immigrant Children in Baltimore County
• Westminster No Longer Being Considered for Immigrant Shelter
• Unaccompanied Immigrant Children Could Be Headed for Westminster