Gov. Rick Scott made a campaign stop in Fort Myers Wednesday to talk about science and technology jobs in Florida. He also discussed the possible influx of unaccompanied minors into the Sunshine State.
State officials learned on Tuesday that at least 36 of the more than 57,000 children that have arrived at the U.S.-Mexican border without their parents will be sent to Florida. Most of the children are escaping violence and poverty in countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
Scott said there’s been a lack of communication between federal and state officials about what the state of Florida can expect.
“The federal government doesn’t tell us who is coming,” he said. “They don’t tell us where they are going. They don’t tell us their health status. They don’t tell us their health records, you know when they leave. They don’t tell us if they don’t show up to their hearings. So, it’s really frustrating.”
The Children’s Home Society of Florida told newspapers 12 children will stay with families in Brevard County. Another 24 will stay in Broward County group homes. Already, hundreds of children have been sent to cities such as Miami while federal officials deal with their legal status.
