A new site in Alma could soon house up to 36 unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in the US, as dozens spoke on the proposal at a public meeting on Monday.
Bethany Christian Services is proposing to lease a vacant nursing home and convert it into a shelter to house up to 36 adolescents.
To do that, Bethany is asking the City Commission to rezone the vacant building.
Long time Alma resident Yvette Franco-Clark says she doesn’t believe the vetting process the youth would undergo is sufficient.
“Without vetting them down there on what the real situation is revolving around each individual child, because they don't have the manpower, they're going to bring them here and place them in our already filthy system.”
Jackie Smith says approving the proposal would help Alma’s economy.
“I think just bringing 50 jobs to the Alma area is significant.”
The city commission is scheduled to make a decision on the proposal by next month.