Grassley Scrutinizes HHS’s Improper Care of Unaccompanied Migrant Children

Grassley Scrutinizes HHS's Improper Care of Unaccompanied Migrant Children

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is conducting a sweeping review of potential abuse within the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) program for placing unaccompanied alien children with U.S.-based sponsors. Grassley is seeking answers from nine HHS contractors and grantees regarding legally protected whistleblower disclosures that allege widespread mismanagement in the unaccompanied children (UC) program, which may have endangered vulnerable minors entrusted to the government's care.

"There's a critical need for this scrutiny given significant evidence that the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children has been compromised by HHS, [Office of Refugee Resettlement], and in some cases the contractors and grantees to whom these children were entrusted," Grassley wrote.

"It is essential that recipients of taxpayer money provide a full accounting to Congress and the American people with respect to how that money has been used," Grassley continued. "That requirement is particularly heightened regarding the critical issue of caring for children and preventing evil actors from turning their young lives into a living hell through human smuggling and trafficking for sex or forced labor."

Letters to each contractor follow.

1. Deloitte Consulting LLP
2. Center for Family Services
3. General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)
4. Alba Care Services
5. Holy Family Institute
6. Global Refuge
7. U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
8. Morrison Child and Family Services
9. Sunny Glen Children's Home

In February, Grassley contacted 15 additional HHS contractors and grantees seeking information regarding the UC program. After receiving reports HHS was attempting to prevent contractors from responding directly to the inquiry, Grassley confronted HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra at a congressional hearing. Becerra backed down from further obstruction, pledging to Grassley, "Americans have every opportunity and right to respond directly to you. You are absolutely within your rights, and [the contractors] are as well, to be in communication."

Grassley's 15 initial letters to contractors follow.

1. Rapid Deployment, Inc
2. VisionQuest National Ltd
3. BCFS Health and Human Services
4. Heartland Human Care Services
5. National Youth Advocate Program, Inc
6. The Providencia Group LLC
7. Southwest Key Programs
8. Endeavors
9. Compass Connections
10. Cherokee Federal
11. Bethany Christian Services
12. Cayuga Centers
13. Asset Protection & Security Services, LP
14. A New Leaf, Inc
15. A Greater Love Foster Family Agency

Background:

HHS contractors and grantees receive billions of taxpayer dollars to provide a range of care for children in the UC program; this includes basic goods and services such as food, shelter and sanitation, as well social services, such as vetting of and placement with the children's adult sponsors.

Today's inquiry builds on nearly a decade of Grassley oversight examining federal care of unaccompanied minors. Grassley earlier this year shared with law enforcement potential evidence of suspected child trafficking and smuggling facilitated by the UC program. He also demanded HHS make immediate changes to address its unlawful policies which seek to prevent legally protected whistleblower disclosures to Congress and the HHS Office of the Inspector General regarding misconduct at HHS and in the UC program.

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