Advertisement

Here’s what it looks like inside a facility for unaccompanied migrant children

People stand in a recreation area with hula hoops, a soccer net and ball and tables.
Mayor Robert Garcia speaks to officials in the recreation area that migrant children will use during a tour of the Long Beach Convention Center on Thursday.
(Brittany Murray / Pool Photo)
Share via

Federal officials on Thursday prepared to receive 150 migrant children at the Long Beach Convention Center, one of several structures in California and other states being repurposed as temporary intake facilities to cope with an overflow of unaccompanied minors at the southern border.

Sleeping areas were set up inside the Convention Center’s exhibit halls, with rows of cots draped with white sheets and stacked with folded blankets and pillows, photos shot by a media pool photographer showed.

In a news release, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said children would receive a medical checkup, clothing, toiletries and food upon arrival. The 1,000-bed facility will house girls under 17 and boys under 12.

Mayor Robert Garcia speaks in front of officials, with hula hoops shown in the foreground
Mayor Robert Garcia speaks to officials in the recreation area for migrant children during a tour of the Long Beach Convention Center on Thursday.
(Brittany Murray / Pool Photo)
Advertisement
Board games, including Operation, Connect 4 and Monopoly are displayed on a table
Board games that the children can play with are shown during a tour of the Long Beach Convention Center.
(Brittany Murray / Pool Photo)
Officials are seen in the background of an area with couches, chairs and tables
The living area set up inside an exhibit hall is shown during a tour of the Long Beach Convention Center.
(Brittany Murray / Pool Photo)
Pink nook-style chairs and an ottoman sit inside the convention center
The welcoming area is shown during a tour of the Long Beach Convention Center, which will house unaccompanied migrant children.
(Brittany Murray / Pool Photo)
A stuffed unicorn, Dr. Seuss book and blankets sit on top of a white cot
Sleeping quarters for migrant children are shown during a tour of the Long Beach Convention Center.
(Getty Images)
A woman speaks to a crowd of officials next to a large set of Jenga blocks
Bonnie Preston, right, acting regional director of Housing and Human Services’ Region 9, speaks with city officials during a tour of the Long Beach Convention Center.
(Brittany Murray / Pool Photo)
Rows of cots with pillows and blankets
Sleeping quarters set up inside an exhibit hall are shown during a tour of the Long Beach Convention Center.
(Brittany Murray / Pool Photo)
Advertisement
Mayor Robert Garcia shows officials a living area
Mayor Robert Garcia shows a living area inside Exhibit Hall B during a tour of the Long Beach Convention Center.
(Brittany Murray / Pool Photo)
A backup, book and toiletries sit on a cot
Sleeping quarters are shown during a tour of the Long Beach Convention Center.
(Brittany Murray / Pool Photo)
Advertisement