House Republicans probe HHS office in charge of migrant children

Republicans on the House Energy & Commerce Committee are probing the Department of Health and Human Services on its treatment of migrant children in its care. 

“We support strong enforcement of our nation’s borders. We also support keeping families together, and believe that children should not be separated from their parents,” the members wrote in a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar. 

{mosads}“We also seek to ensure that children who are within the custody of ORR — whether because they crossed the border as an unaccompanied minor or because they crossed the border with a family member and were subsequently separated — are properly cared for while within the custody of [the Office of Refugee Resettlement.]”

The members asked for answers to a series of questions about children in ORR custody, including: how many are in ORR custody as a result of being separated from their parents or families;  does ORR have the resources to properly care for the high number of children being transferred to their custody; what steps is ORR taking to track and address issues of abuse within HHS funded facilities and what medications is ORR authorized to administer. 

The committee also investigated ORR in 2014 after a series of reports detailed allegations of abuse of minors in custody. 

“Given HHS’ historical difficulties in properly caring for [the children], the committee believes that additional scrutiny of ORR is warranted at this time,” the members wrote. 

The members also asked for all copies of contracts or grant agreements since 2014 between HHS and private companies that house the children, as well as any reports that relate to allegations of abuse of children in the custody of ORR from 2017 to the present. 

The letter comes after HHS’ watchdog announced it would probe the conditions at child detention centers. 

The department said it is caring for 2,047 children who were separated from their parents because of the administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to begin reuniting them with their parents.