In a stunning turn of events, Mississippi officials have vehemently opposed a plan to house migrant children at the old Harrah’s Tunica hotels, citing concerns about the well-being of both the children and the local community.
The plan, which was proposed by the Biden administration as a way to provide temporary shelter for unaccompanied migrant children arriving at the US-Mexico border, was met with fierce resistance from state and local officials in Mississippi. Governor Tate Reeves and other officials have argued that the state does not have the resources or infrastructure to properly care for and support these children.
“Mississippi is not equipped to handle the influx of migrant children that would come with housing them at the old Harrah’s Tunica hotels,” Reeves said in a statement. “We simply do not have the facilities or the personnel to provide the level of care and support that these children need.”
The old Harrah’s Tunica hotels, which have been vacant for several years, were proposed as a potential location to house the children due to their large capacity and proximity to the border. However, local residents and officials have expressed concerns about the impact that such a facility would have on the surrounding community.
“We are concerned about the strain that housing migrant children at the old Harrah’s Tunica hotels would place on our already overburdened resources and services,” said Tunica County Supervisor James Dunn. “We simply cannot afford to take on this responsibility at this time.”
In addition to concerns about the impact on the local community, officials have also raised questions about the safety and well-being of the migrant children themselves. Reports of overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at other migrant detention facilities have raised alarm bells about the potential risks faced by these vulnerable children.
“We cannot in good conscience support a plan that could put these children at risk of harm or neglect,” said Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “We must find a more suitable and sustainable solution to address the needs of these children while also protecting the interests of our state and our citizens.”
The Biden administration has yet to respond to the opposition from Mississippi officials, but the debate over where to house migrant children continues to rage on across the country. As the crisis at the border worsens and the number of unaccompanied minors grows, finding a humane and practical solution remains a top priority for policymakers at all levels of government.
