The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says it has a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy for any form of abuse or harassment of child migrants, amid allegations of child abuse at a facility in San Antonio, Texas.
“HHS takes its humanitarian mission seriously and while unaccompanied migrant children are under our care under the law, we strive to provide a safe space while undergoing immigration procedures,” the agency said in a statement. “HHS has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of sexual abuse, sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual behavior at all UC providers.”
REPUBLICAN QUESTIONS ANSWERS FOR ABUSE OF ALLEGATIONS AT TEXAS CHILD MIGRANT FACILITY
Texas welfare officials said Wednesday they received three reports of abuse and neglect at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio. The site contains more than 1,300 migrant children – one of a number of sites that have seen a surge in migrants in recent months.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he believes the allegations come from someone inside the institution and that it includes sexual abuse, inadequate staff, children who do not eat and COVID-positive migrants who are not divorced.
Abbott called on the Biden government to close the site.
“Biden’s government has opened the borders and not planned to plan the influx of unaccompanied children crossing the border, and now we are sitting with our biggest fears – allegations of child abuse and neglect,” he said.
MORE THAN 1,300 MIGRANTS CHILDREN HELD IN THE COLISEUM WHERE SEXUAL ABUSE IS DETERMINED
Republican Sen. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, Texas, expressed outrage over the allegations and asked that they be investigated.
“The allegations of horrific child abuse under the supervision of the Biden government are tragic,” Cruz said in a statement to Fox News on Thursday. “We must immediately get to the bottom of what is happening to these children, and President Biden must act and address the driving force behind this – his crisis at the southern border.”
In its statement, first reported by The Associated Press, HHS said it would continue to investigate incidents affecting the health, well-being and safety of children and take the necessary measures, including disciplinary action, termination and reporting to relevant investigative bodies. such as law enforcement agencies and appropriate licensing bodies. ‘
HHS’s policy is that providers should report the allegations to appropriate agencies, including the FBI, if necessary, suspend any employee from child-related duties, and take steps to protect children in the program – while provide follow-up services. and notify parents and guardians.
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There are currently more than 16,000 unaccompanied children in HHS care and more than 4,000 in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) supervision.
On Thursday, CBP announced that there were 172,000 migrant encounters in March. This included 18,890 unaccompanied children – an increase of 100% from the already high numbers found in February, and the highest monthly number.
Fox News’ Griff Jenkins contributed to this report, as did The Associated Press.