The federal government awarded a Portland-based nonprofit nearly $3.7 million for this year to house unaccompanied immigrant minors, according to records from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Morrison Child and Family Services, a nonprofit that supports victims of traumatic events, was awarded $3,694,729 in federal grant money for the 2014 fiscal year for staffing and "secure residential services" for unaccompanied immigrant children. The most recent bump came July 11, when the nonprofit was given $923,681.
In total, Morrison has received nearly $16.5 million in grants since 2009, all of which has been to house unaccompanied immigrant minors.
The records, obtained from an online government database, give at least some credence to claims by pro-immigration groups that unaccompanied immigrant children are being relocated to Portland. The groups held a "welcome" demonstration in downtown Portland on Tuesday after an anti-immigration group targeted Morrison on its website. The debate is unfolding against a national focus on a surge in unaccompanied children from Central America showing up at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Officials have kept quiet on even the most basic details regarding any children arriving in Portland: Whether unaccompanied children are indeed being brought here, when they will arrive, how many and how long they might stay.
Federal officials are in the process of moving Central American children taken in at the U.S.-Mexico border out of temporary facilities in Southern states, although it is it's not clear whether the Portland nonprofit is involved. Many of the children are being released to relatives already in the U.S., although White House officials said this month that they probably won't be allowed to stay.
In response to questions on Tuesday, Morrison officials deferred comment to the Health and Human Services press office in Washington, D.C. In an emailed statement Tuesday, department spokesman Kenneth Wolfe did not provide specifics, but said the children would not burden the community.
"The impact of these shelters on the local community is minimal," he wrote. "HHS pays for and provides all services for the children through its network of grantees. This includes providing food, clothing, education and medical screening to the children. Children spend less than 30 days on average at the shelters and do not integrate into the local community."
Readers took interest in Tuesday's story on the pro-immigration demonstration, posting more than 800 comments and questions on oregonlive.com/politics.
Here's a sample of what readers said:
- CleverHans: Why should anyone here adopt them? Let their families in, too. We all know how important family is. Don't separate these kids from their parents--let the parents in too.
- under_dog:We can't take care of our seniors or our homeless, now we have more people that will get help rather than the ones who live here.
- samoht1: We must show peace and love to these kids just like we have in the past with other kids..Nothing has changed..We are still proud Americans who help others..and especially kids..
- docfnc:Democrats' perpetually favorite proletariat leaders John Kitzhaber, Governor; Peter Courtney (S-11), Senate President; Tina Kotek (H-44), House Speaker; are all are seeking to be reelected to state government jobs this fall.
- Salmonkev: Putting all the left/right politics aside, think of it this way. Do you really want these children raised in a government institution? That means, group homes, foster homes, ICE facilities, whatever? Are you thinking this is a healthy way to raising kids that have zero understanding of American culture and language? It wouldn't be good for them short term or long term.
-- Ian K. Kullgren