After months of heated debate on the expansion of a shelter for immigrant children, finally a decision, it can move forward.

Pasco County Commissioners voted to approve the expansion in 3-2 vote with Commissioner Jack Mariano and Commissioner Henry Wilson dissenting.

“Nobody’s mentioning illegal, illegal immigrants, these children are it’s sad to say they are criminals because they entered this country illegally,” said James Seavetta, a community member.  

Comments like Seavetta’s were not unusual in the crowd. Two sides of the debate were literally divided in the room.

“They represent no meaningful health risk to the community at large, they represent no direct cost to the community,” said Dr. Marc Yacht, a community member. “I would suggest that the 90,000 health uninsured Pasco residents pose a much greater health risk than these children.”

Just last week Pasco County Planning Commissioners approved the conditional use permit for the shelter to expand from 16 beds to 32 beds in a 6-3 vote.

The shelter provides temporary housing for children ages 8 to 18 who are fleeing from violence and poverty in Central America.

On Tuesday more than 20 people commented on the issue. After a couple hours finally the commission weighed in. However it wasn’t without even more confrontation.

“I have the floor, I have the floor,” said Commissioner Jack Mariano to Commissioner Pat Mulieri as she tried to comment on what he was saying.

“I also feel that the proposed conditional use will adversely affect the health, safety, and welfare of the surrounding community area and have the potential to do so,” said Commissioner Jack Mariano.

“They were kids, they were kids with hopes and dreams just like my kids and your kids or our grandkids,” said Commissioner Pat Mulieri talking about her visit with the children.

The vote ended the contentious issue in Pasco County that went on for the past few months.