Dallas County Preparing for 2,000 Immigrant Children

DALLAS — Dallas County could house up to 2,000 immigrant children now being held by the Department of Homeland Security on the Texas-Mexico border, County Judge Clay Jenkins said at the Texas Democratic Party’s convention on Saturday.

“I support increased security at the border, but that doesn’t take care of the women and children already here,” he said.

Dallas is talking about signing 120-day contracts to house up to 1,000 children at each of two locations — one in the city of Dallas and another, Jenkins said, in another city in Dallas County. He would not be more specific about the locations, saying that was still being worked out.

The federal government would pay for the services, Jenkins said, adding that he has talked to city officials and that Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings is on board. The county is negotiating with the federal departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, and with the Office of Resettlement Services.

After the details are worked out, he said, the children could be in Dallas County by the end of July.