Tucson Standard

WASHINGTON – After reports of abuse of unaccompanied migrant children, U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani is leading an effort demanding answers from the Biden administration.

Ciscomani and 75 of his House Republican colleagues sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calling on them to respond to reports of the egregious mistreatment.

“We are particularly heartbroken to read reports of children contacting HHS after their release to their sponsors in hopes of the agency intervening, with no follow up,” said the lawmakers. “The policies of this administration are enriching the cartels and transnational criminal organizations, who are profiting from the pain, abuse, and exploitation of these children as they smuggle them into the country.”

In the letter, the representatives detailed the horrific reports of abandoned and abused migrant children, including a one-year-old from Guatemala abandoned in the Colorado River by the cartel and a 13-year-old extorted by a smuggler he met on social media.

Congressman Ciscomani represents Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, which includes a stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border. He is the only Mexican-born member of the House Republican Conference and became a naturalize citizen in 2006.

BACKGROUND

• In February, the New York Times reported on brutal labor exploitation and human trafficking that unaccompanied minors suffer after leaving HHS custody.
• In April, the outlet also reported on HHS’ knowledge and inaction regarding the abuse. The article also shed light on whistleblowers within the agency whose concerns were disregarded.
• Last week, the House Judiciary Committee heard a testimony from a former HHS employee who detailed HHS’ and DHS’ knowledge of the abuse. 

Read the full letter here.

Issues: Congress

Original source can be found here.