U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security
09/24/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/24/2021 19:50
Chairman Thompson Writes DHS on Mistreatment of Haitian Migrants
September 24, 2021
Chairman Thompson Writes DHS on Mistreatment of Haitian Migrants
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security regarding the continued mistreatment of Haitian migrants by the Department.
In the letter, Chairman Thompson again urges the Secretary of Homeland Security to immediately halt repatriation flights to Haiti and to provide Haitians and other migrants an opportunity to apply for asylum. He also urges the Secretary to update use of force policies within the Department and to direct U.S. Border Patrol to improve its training by seeking accreditation of its training academy. Finally, he emphasizes the need for accountability for the USBP agents involved in the videos and photos earlier this week, including timely and appropriate discipline measures for any violations.
Letter excerpts:
The Biden Administration has promised the American people a humane approach to our borders. The handling of the asylum seekers in Del Rio does not live up to that commitment. The Department of Homeland Security must do better.
After four years of the Trump Administration, where migrants had their families torn apart and were vilified, Americans look to you and the President to deliver on the promise of more humane treatment of migrants. I look forward to hearing from you in the very near term on how my recommendations for action are received. The Department must be clear that all individuals are to be treated with human dignity and respect, and that actions to the contrary will not be tolerated.
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Press Contact
Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978