NewsWUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)July 30, 2026Hillsborough
Federal government releases records on toxic hazards at former Homestead child detention site
Following a 2021 lawsuit, federal authorities have released over 20,000 pages of records regarding environmental contamination at the former Homestead Temporary Influx Shelter for Unaccompanied Alien Children. The documents suggest the site was not evaluated for hazards despite its location near a military Superfund site.
Read the full story at WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)Why It Matters
The release of these records provides public documentation on whether federal agencies assessed environmental risks before housing up to 140 children at a site near a known contaminated military base.
Key Facts
- Federal authorities agreed to release over 20,000 pages of records regarding environmental hazards at the former Homestead Temporary Influx Shelter.
- The facility was located near the Homestead Air Force Base, which was designated a Superfund National Priorities List site in 1990 due to hazardous pollution.
- The facility held up to 140 children, some as young as six, including children separated from parents at the U.S.-Mexico border.
- The released records reportedly show no evidence that the site was evaluated for environmental hazards prior to detaining children.
- Remediation work on contaminated areas near the facility was not completed during the period the shelter was active.
- The facility was closed in 2019 following public pushback.
- The American Friends Service Committee and Earthjustice filed a lawsuit in 2021 to obtain these records under the Freedom of Information Act.
Who's Mentioned
personEmma Shaw Crane“Assistant professor at Stanford University.”other20,000“Number of pages of records released.”organizationEnvironmental Protection Agency“Agency that designated the nearby base as a Superfund site.”other140“Maximum number of children held at the facility.”organizationDepartment of Homeland Security“Federal agency required to release records.”organizationEarthjustice“Environmental law firm representing the plaintiffs.”organizationU.S. Air Force“Named in the 2021 lawsuit regarding FOIA requests.”organizationAmerican Friends Service Committee“Immigrant rights group that filed the lawsuit.”personTania Galloni“Earthjustice attorney.”personGuadalupe De La Cruz“Program Director for AFSC's Florida program.”