Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to Appropriations Hearing on the Homestead Child Detention Facility
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Earlier today, following the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education Subcommittee hearing on Oversight of the Unaccompanied Children Program: Ensuring the Safety of Children in HHS Care hearing with the director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Appropriations Committee Member Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following statement:
"It is more evident than ever that the Homestead Child Detention Facility is ineffective in protecting the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the children it houses and must be shut down.
"I visited Homestead earlier this month and was deeply disturbed to witness the warehousing of children in a prison-like environment. I committed then to use my role as an appropriator to address the unacceptable conditions, and that is what we did in our hearing today.
"It is shameful that Caliburn International is profiting from vulnerable children who are merely seeking a better life in America. Even more troubling is that the company is more concerned about its share prices than providing necessary services including medical and education for its children.
“I continue to be appalled by the conditions at the Homestead detention camp, and I know that we can do more for these children. The House Appropriations Committee will hold this administration accountable for its cruel policies, and I will work to get this facility shut down once and for all."
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