A Texas sheriff expressed concerns that the federal government’s plans to bring large numbers of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) from the border to the campsite located southwest of Dallas will become a “small city.” The children are illegal immigrants mostly from Central America who have recently crossed the border during the latest surge.
Nearly 500 UACs are scheduled to arrive in the next few days at the Lakeview Camp and Retreat Center located near Waxahachie, Texas, a report on Texas Police News states. 400 workers were expected to arrive on Thursday and the children are expected to follow along shortly thereafter.
Ellis County Sheriff Johnny Brown said his department will be responsible for security for the children while they are in the camp. He also expressed concern about the security of the surrounding citizens. “At no time will these kids be left alone,” Sheriff Brown said during a county meeting. “They will have no transportation, should they attempt to escape, so threats to our surrounding community is very low.”
The sheriff urged citizens not to stage protests near the campsite because of the hazards of the roadway where protesters would have to stand. “I urge anyone who wants to march or have a protest not to do so, because there is no room out on FM 66 to accomplish that,” he advised. “You can’t go onto private property, and you can’t interfere with traffic either.”
“We are forced to accept what is happening,” Brown concluded, “but I see us mitigating any dangers you may fear. I feel strongly that you all are safe, and that all precautions are being discussed and addressed.”
Rick DuBose, superintendent for the North Texas district of the Assemblies of God, told the Dallas Morning News he expects 40-60 percent of the children to be returned to their country of origin. He said the remaining 40-60 percent will likely be moved to other family members in the U.S. “We are honored to give these kids a place to live for the next 21 days,” DuBose told reporters.
Brown told the Dallas newspaper there will be one adult supervisor for every two children at the facility. “They will make this a miniature city” he told the news outlet. “They will have everything they need on hand at this facility.”
Residents in the area seem not as confident about the operation. “It just boggles my mind that the United States would let these people come over here,” Christopher Bruton, one of the residents who spoke out in front of the church camp told reporters with NBCDFW. “Every single one of them needs to go back home to where they came from.”
The children are reported to be between the ages of 12 and 17. The children are being transported to the area because of shelter overcrowding in South Texas.
The camp’s website reveals the site to be a luxury retreat including a water park and complete fitness center. The website states:
Combine a state-of-the-art conference center, one of the most versatile fitness centers in North Texas, a culinary team that gives great attention to detail, and contemporary renovated lodges with a breathtaking 30-acre lake as your backdrop; that’s what you get at Lakeview!
The children are expected to remain at the facility for approximately three weeks.
Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas and is a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter@BobPriceBBTX.
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