THREAD - On sponsorship for those kids who come into U.S.: Sen Lankford notes that a migrant child's sponsor in U.S. doesn't have to be here in U.S. legally. Albence confirms that, says ICE data shows close to 80% of those sponsors are here illegally.
Lankford notes, that hasn't always been so. 20 years ago, it wasn't. Migrant kids had to be placed with a U.S. citizen. Lankford asks Albence if this would be a reasonable standard to work from again?
"You're getting me way out of my lane here, this is an HHS decision," Albence says. Perez only says from CPB perspective, if we did that again it may ease the attraction or pull factors for those migrating.
Back to psychological effect on kids who are detained for long period of time or indefinitely. Sen Hassan asks if ICE is aware? Albence says "we don't indefinitely detain kids" Hassan stops him, "But are you aware" ICE official Albence says "I've seen media reports on it."
DHS whistleblowers have suggested incidents of abuse, incl. one event where a child was bleeding on the brain for 5 days, Hassan asks if they are aware of these reports? Albence and Perez say they are not.
Hassan: Why do you continue to support modifying the Flores agreement to allow for indefinite detention. Albence shoots back, again,We don't have indefinite detention. Hassan: But you are advocating for a moderation of Flores agreement? Why recommend changes that would do that?
Albence: "We're implementing process as contemplated by the court in its ruling, which is req'ing that children can be held in licensed facilities. We have been unable to get state licensure in most places. We are proposing a federal licensing scheme. no one is arguing this...
"...is not a humanitarian crisis, the numbers show it," Albence says.
Hassan interrupts, says "your own agency says there shouldn't be long term detention of children and instead of going toward remedies that could help us, instead...
Hassan interrupts, says "your own agency says there shouldn't be long term detention of children and instead of going toward remedies that could help us, instead...
"...recommending something experts in child development and welfare ask you not to do. Why does CPB continue to support indefinite detention? Perez said modification is a deterrence.
Hassan: As soon as we license facilities to detain children longer, by definition that means they will be detained indefinitely."
Is it a federal crime if a child is sexually assaulted in a federal facility? Sen. Heidi Heitkamp follows up. Edlow of DOJ says he doesn't know.
Is it a federal crime if a child is sexually assaulted in a federal facility? Sen. Heidi Heitkamp follows up. Edlow of DOJ says he doesn't know.
"You should figure that out. It would at least be appropriate to figure out the jurisdiction. Can we expect indictments or prosecutions any time soon?" - Heitkamp.
Albence says he's not aware of any sexual assault/hrsmnt.
A laugh is heard from somewhere in gallery he says this
Albence says he's not aware of any sexual assault/hrsmnt.
A laugh is heard from somewhere in gallery he says this
Heitkamp says, Ok? holding her hands up as she does.
Perez of CBP says they are conducting investigations best they can to comply in short/longer term detention standards, PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act)
Perez of CBP says they are conducting investigations best they can to comply in short/longer term detention standards, PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act)
Heitkamp says: Until you tell me how we're going to be better regulated so that children are not abused either sexually or physically, it will be hard to expand any other detention jurisdiction.
