Feds reverse stance, will allow politicians to inspect Homestead shelter.

Feds reverse ban on inspection of child immigrants

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz say they will be allowed to tour a shelter for migrant teenagers on Saturday, a reversal from an agency decision that kept them from entering earlier this week.

The Democratic lawmakers blasted the Trump administration for blocking access on Tuesday to the Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children, where more than 1,000 migrant teenagers are being held. Nelson accused the administration of a “cover up.”

A guard warned them they would be trespassing if they entered the facility. Amid outrage from both sides of the aisle, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to halt the child separation policy.

Nelson — who is facing a re-election challenge from Republican Gov. Rick Scott — said he will meet with the children and hear from officials “about what they are doing to reunite them with their parents.” He said Trump’s order doesn’t address how 2,300 children from around the country will be reunited with their parents. Scott has also opposed the separation of children from their parents.

Wasserman Schultz wrote on Twitter that the administration needs to explain what it is doing to reunify children with their parents.

“Americans deserve to know how these kids are being treated,” she wrote.

In an interview with Fox News, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said migrant children at federally funded facilities are getting medical and dental care, athletics and entertainment.

“These kids are getting the full range of services,” he said. “America is a generous nation, and America takes care of these kids even though they should not be in the country. They’ve come here illegally, and we are still caring for them.”

Citing HHS figures, Nelson said at least 174 children who have been separated from their parents are being held in Florida, including 94 at the Homestead shelter. Nelson initially said in a floor speech that number could be as high as 268, but his office later clarified 174 is the correct figure.

An HHS spokesman has not responded to requests from the South Florida Sun Sentinel to confirm those numbers.

The tour will be restricted to members of Congress, and video and photography will not be allowed, according to an email sent by HHS. Visitors also will not be allowed to interact with the children “to protect the privacy and vulnerability of children,” the email stated.

On Thursday, first lady Melania Trump made an unannounced visit to a shelter and border intake center in Texas.

A march is planned for 4 p.m. Saturday in Homestead to protest the Trump administration’s approach to immigration.

Four of five Democratic gubernatorial candidates — Andrew Gillum, Gwen Graham, Chris King and Philip Levine — plan to attend.