Thursday, June 19, 2014
3:33 PM
Sensenbrenner slams HHS over plans for children immigrating illegally
U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner today asked the Obama administration how it plans to address a surge in children illegally entering the country.
In a letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Sensenbrenner, R-Menomonee Falls, writes the president's order halting deportations for certain young immigrants two years ago "produced a predictable surge in children risking their lives to cross the border."
He also notes recent reports showing plans to house hundred of the immigrants in Virginia were scuttled due to concerns among local residents, writing he's "deeply concerned with HHS’ lack of transparency and preparation."
He then asks a series of questions about plans to house the unaccompanied children and the final cost projections.
"This humanitarian crisis is deeply unsettling, and is likely to get worse unless federal agencies’ capabilities and resources are coordinated effectively to address this issue," Sensenbrenner writes.