Congressman Jim Bridenstine
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7/2/2014
Yesterday I was denied access to the HHS facility at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma currently housing up to 1,200 unaccompanied alien children (UAC) who illegally crossed the southern border into the United States.
As a Congressman and House Armed Services Committee member, there is no excuse for denying me access to the UAC facility at Ft. Sill.
What are they trying to hide? Do they not want the children to speak with Members of Congress? As a Navy pilot, I have been involved in operations countering illicit human trafficking. I would like to know to whom these children are being released.
Update: From IJReview.com:
…The Health and Human Services official in charge of the facility told Bridenstine he would have to schedule an appointment to visit the barracks – and appointments weren’t available until July 21.
Tulsa-area radio station KRMG reports on the press release issued by the congressman’s office.
“There is no excuse for denying a Federal Representative from Oklahoma access to a federal facility in Oklahoma where unaccompanied children are being held. Any Member of Congress should have the legal authority to visit a federal youth detention facility without waiting three weeks.
“After my visit today with the base commander, I approached the barracks where the children are housed. A new fence has been erected by HHS, completely surrounding the barracks and covered with material to totally obscure the view. Every gate is chained closed…
Read the whole thing.