City Leaders Shut Out Of Plan To Shelter Immigrant Kids

GRAND PRAIRIE - As Dallas County prepares to help with the overwhelming number of unaccompanied children crossing the border, one local city says it’s being left out.

“We are just totally in the dark,” said Grand Prairie Mayor Pro Tem Tony Shotwell.

A week ago, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins publicly welcomed as many as 2,000 unaccompanied border children to North Texas.

Two days ago, he announced three possible locations to house the children once they arrive. One of which, the old Lamar Alternative Education Center, is located within the Grand Prairie city limits.

However, City of Grand Prairie leaders say they’re were never notified until hours before the site announcement made public.

The City of Grand Prairie sent a letter to Judge Jenkins and the Grand Prairie Independent School District asking why city leaders were not included in the discussion to make Lamar School a potential shelter site. More