Florida Gov. Rick Scott called for an end to the policy of separating children from parents who enter the U.S. illegally and demanded answers about the immigrant minors being detained in his state through the controversial practice, Politico is reporting.
Scott, a Republican who is running for the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., made his comments in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, who leads the agency responsible for the children, according to Politico.
"I have been very clear that I absolutely do not agree with the practice of separating children from their families," Scott wrote. "This practice needs to stop now."
Scott asked whether Azar will notify state and local authorities immediately if any current or future unaccompanied minors separated from their families will be coming to Florida. He also questioned whether health screenings of the minors were being provided.
And he added: "It is extremely frustrating that, after decades of inaction by the federal government, many innocent children are now paying the price for the failures of Washington. Congress must address our immigration system immediately."
Politico noted Scott's letter came hours after Sen. Nelson was denied access on Tuesday to a Homestead, Florida facility where immigrant children are being held.
Nelson, along with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., had tried to enter the facility, but were turned away.
Nelson later tweeted: "Just learned from HHS that there are 94 children in the Homestead, Florida facility who were separated from their families. The Trump administration's actions today to block us from checking on these kids is inexcusable."
Politico reported it is unclear whether the children were separated from their families as a result of the Trump administration zero tolerance policy.