Proposed Immigrant Shelter To House Children 16 And Up

HOUSTON — A non-profit that sought to house unaccompanied migrant children of all ages at a downtown facility has revised its application to the City of Houston.

Officials announced Thursday that Southwest Key, which proposed housing immigrant children from 0-17, will now only shelter children 16 or older.

“I opposed the original Southwest Key plan because it sought to house children ages 0 to 17 who had been separated from their parents,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a statement. “The initial application for a certificate of occupancy did not satisfy the city’s regulatory requirements and was inconsistent with our values of keeping families together. My objection was and always will be about the children.”

Since spring 2018, Southwest Key has sought a license to house unaccompanied minors who are separated from parents or guardians by U.S. Border Patrol agents at the southern U.S. border, or children who crossed the border on their own seeking asylum.

Since the original certificate of occupancy was submitted, the federal government has now abandoned the family separation policy, at least officially, although some young children reportedly have not yet been reunited with their families.

According to Southwest Key, the facility, located at the 419 Emancipation in downtown will house residents who will be capable of self-preservation without physical assistance.

The 16- and 17-year-olds will be sheltered until they are reunited with a suitable relative, another adult assumes responsibility for them, or they are deported as a result of immigration proceedings, Southwest Key regional director Marisela Saldana said in a November declaration.

Last month, city inspectors found locks on sleeping room windows that can be used for emergency escapes and rescues.

Changes that will b3eed to be made at the facility include: removing locks, replacing missing fire-suppression sprinkler heads, and electrical and plumbing repairs.

The City Building Official will issue a new Certificate of Occupancy consistent with the revised application, once these issues are addressed.

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Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

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