Thread by @reveal

In 2019, Reveal and @WRAL found that the federal government didn’t fully vet contractors to care for migrant children. New bipartisan legislation introduced this month could increase scrutiny.

🧵 An update from @lauracmorel: revealnews.org/article/feds-d…

During a rapid expansion of its shelter network for migrant children in 2019, the U.S. government approved millions of dollars in funding to shelter providers with little experience and troubling track records. revealnews.org/article/feds-d…

One such group, New Horizon Group Home, had its license revoked by North Carolina authorities, after inspectors found conditions inside that presented “an imminent danger” to children.

Yet, the Office of Refugee Resettlement gave nearly $4 million to New Horizon in April 2019.

The shelter, which would have accommodated up to 72 children, never opened.

Following our investigation, state officials denied New Horizon’s application for a residential child care license to run the shelter. revealnews.org/article/feds-d…

“After being alerted to a troubling situation in my home state of North Carolina, I learned that a larger problem existed in how ORR was awarding shelter grant funding,” said U.S. Rep. David Price, one of the four lawmakers who proposed the bill. revealnews.org/article/feds-d…

The new bipartisan bill would require:

— Grant applicants to be licensed by the state in which they are operating
— Any license suspensions or pending investigations within the last five years to be disclosed revealnews.org/article/feds-d…

“Unaccompanied children are some of the most vulnerable individuals in our care, and they deserve to be safely housed,” said U.S. Rep. David Price.

More from @lauracmorel: revealnews.org/article/feds-d…