Greensboro immigrant intake facility ‘ramping down’ operations

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — A facility dedicated to housing migrant children in Greensboro has changed its operational status.

The Greensboro Influx Care Facility, operating out of what was once the American Hebrew Academy, has been technically operational since March 15, though no children have been housed in the facility for the past three months.

On Thursday, June 28, the Department of Health and Human Services updated a fact sheet about their housing facilities and stated that operations were being “ramped down” at the Greensboro facility. Previously, the Greensboro facility had been considered in “warm” status. “Warm” status meant that there were preparations of the grounds along with people being hired to work in the facility.

“It will continue to have no children in care but must be ready to resume operations and accept children eight weeks after being notified by ORR,” they wrote in the document.

Background

The facility would house unaccompanied immigrant children temporarily — about two or three weeks — while family members and sponsors are located. The facility is intended to provide shelter for children ages 13 through 17 and has a capacity of up to 800 beds.

In March, when the program was switched to “operational,” Mayor Nancy Vaughan clarified on X that “operational” didn’t necessarily mean anything would be happening at the facility, just that it was ready to go if there was a need.

“ORR tracks the number of unaccompanied minors and the number of beds,” Vaughan said. “Once the number of beds reaches 85% capacity minors can be sent to Greensboro as needed. If the percentage falls below 85% the number of children sent to the Greensboro facility will decline accordingly. We will be notified before children arrive.”

The property on Hobbs Road is 100 gated acres that include 31 buildings of 412,712 square feet, an $18 million athletic center and natatorium, a variety of athletic fields and a 22-acre lake. The facility would be used to provide housing, classrooms and recreational facilities for children.

HHS did not immediately respond to requests for clarification or comment on the facility.

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