Today, March 7, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), and Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee Chairperson Zoe Lofgren (CA-19) sent a letter to Jonathan Hayes, the Acting Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, urging him to brief Members of Congress on reports of allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct, including sexual abuse and harassment, of unaccompanied minors under their care.

As the Members write, "We believe that Congressional oversight authority is necessary to protect children detained by your Agency. We strongly urge you to join us as a partner in seeking accountability and reform that will resolve the unacceptable number of sexual assaults occurring in facilities housing unaccompanied minors by agreeing to a briefing to interested Members of Congress as soon as possible."

The signed copy of the letter can be accessed here, and the text of the letter is included below.



Dear Acting Director Hayes,

We are writing in response to your letter to Congressman Ted Deutch dated February 28, 2019 regarding questions directed to the ORR witnesses at the February 26, 2019 House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on the administration’s family separation policies. 

During the hearing, Congressman Deutch submitted charts for the record that the Department of Health and Human Services provided to the Committee detailing reports of inappropriate sexual conduct, including sexual abuse and harassment, of unaccompanied minors under the care of the Agency. After the hearing, a meeting was requested with your Agency to discuss this issue. The request also indicated that several members of Congress have expressed interest in these issues and would like to participate in a briefing. 

We believe that Congressional oversight authority is necessary to protect children detained by your Agency. We strongly urge you to join us as a partner in seeking accountability and reform that will resolve the unacceptable number of sexual assaults occurring in facilities housing unaccompanied minors by agreeing to a briefing to interested Members of Congress as soon as possible.

We look forward to your prompt response on this matter.

Sincerely,

Congressman Ted Deutch
Congressman Jerrold Nadler
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren