Pocan Applauds Activists’ Successful Campaign to End DHHS Homestead Contract

U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) today released the following statement in response to the announcement that the Homestead detention center will close and not have its contract renewed. Rep. Pocan previsouly questioned Director of DHHS' Office of Refugee Resettlement, Jonathan Hayes, in a Congressional hearing that uncovered the $720,000 daily cost of running the empty detention center.

"The decision for the government to shut down the Homestead Detention Center and not renew its contract is a testament to the work of activists and advocacy groups on the ground every day holding this administration morally responsible for their reprehensible immigration policies.

"President Trump's disgraceful family separation policies are the result of a blatant disregard for human life and an utter failure to support families who are seeking refuge in this country. Homestead has made that especially clear. After appallingly detaining children and failing to provide them with even the minimum adequate support and services, this administration continued to fund an empty shelter for $720,000 a month—lining the pockets of private companies—and footing the bill to the American taxpayer. The Homestead detention center is another reckless and racist endeavor carried out by this administration with little foresight and no strategy—and the time is long overdue that we close it and other mass immigrant detention centers for good."