HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) — Three U.S. congresswomen from South Florida say they’ve been told they won’t be allowed to visit a federally-run detention facility for unaccompanied minors who either entered the U.S. without their parents or were separated from them.
U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Donna Shalala and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, all Democrats, say in a news release that they had planned to visit the facility in Homestead, Florida on Monday. But they were given an initial denial by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
A spokesman for the agency didn’t respond to an email Saturday seeking comment.
The congresswomen say denying them access is a violation of the law.
Congressional Democrats toured the facility in February, saying children were being held for too long in a place that has a “prison-like” feel.
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