Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley attempted to tour an immigration detention center for undocumented children on Sunday, June 3, 2018, but was denied access. The police were also called.
This center is one of 27 different immigration facilities for children run by Southwest Key Programs, a private, nonprofit organization. After the event, Merkley said, “I think it’s unacceptable that a member of Congress is not being admitted to see what is happening to children whose families are applying for asylum. I decided to come here, go up to the door, and ask to be let in.” He had previously been in touch with the facility and announced his intention to visit. The center is in a former Walmart building, where the windows are blacked out and the doors are locked.
Thousands of children have been removed from immigrant parents in recent years, and it is believed that as many as 1500 of them are presently unaccounted for. Theoretically the children who are separated from parents or guardians are placed in foster homes that have been vetted, but even the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency admits that many cannot be found. In an interview on CNN on Monday, June 4, Senator Merkley confirmed the incident in Brownsville.
Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey, referring to Senator Merkley’s experience said it was outrageous, and that Secretary Nielsen owes us answers for this practice. He said his team was also barred from touring a migrant processing center where families were being separated.
The video can be found on Senator Merkley’s web site. Moveon.org suggests people who are concerned about the issue call the office of Health and Human Services at 202-401-9215. Another organization–#Wherearethechildren–is also collecting information.