Officials with a controversial shelter seeking to take in undocumented refugee children spoke in front of the Pasco County Board of Commissioners Tuesday.

The Holiday shelter is operated by Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services.  Currently the shelter has 16 beds that are being used to house the children, who are in the United States from Central and South America.

President and CEO Rochelle Tatrai-Ray appeared in front of the board to ask for permission to double that number to 32.

Those opposed to the shelter said they are worried that the children will cause trouble in the neighborhood.

"There is nothing to fear," Tatrai-Ray said. "These are children that have crossed many borders, have been persecuted, in fear for their lives.  And that's why they are here today."

The president of a Hudson shelter seeking to take in undocumented refugee children appeared in front o

A public hearing on the expansion has been set for Aug. 9.

The shelter, which is federally funded, received just under $1 million this year through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It will be applying for $1.8 million for 2015.