County Wants Answers on Refugee Children Sheltered in Region

Prince William County Supervisors want more information from federal authorities about a contract with an area nonprofit to temporarily house unaccompanied minors who have crossed the Mexican border illegally.

These children have been stressing the resources of the federal government and nonprofit partners. It has also prompted a national debate over how to address a humanitarian crisis.

In northern Virginia, the nonprofit Youth for Tomorrow's residential services  include emergency shelter for undocumented minors. The program in Bristow is operated through an agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart told WJLA that "a relatively small number of children" housed in the county may be the tip of the iceberg.

"I'm concerned these children may be housed here permanently, and of course, there is going to be a drain on our educational system and other county services," Stewart told the station.

An HHS spokesperson would not comment on the number of undocumented children in Northern Virginia, but told The Washington Post that, “HHS pays for and provides all services for the children through its network of grantees." 

The spokesperson also noted that children spend less than 35 days on average at the shelters and do not integrate into the local community.