WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement on additional reports of terrible conditions at facilities at the Southern border and the troubling conduct of some border security officers in an online community:
“The continued reports of families and children being held in abhorrent conditions at the Southern border – along with reports of disturbing and completely unacceptable conduct by Border Patrol agents – are alarming and demand immediate accountability by the Department of Homeland Security and attention from Congress. I raised my concerns directly with Acting Secretary McAleenan, and urged him to take immediate action to address the conditions in these facilities and discipline any officers who violated the high standards of conduct expected of Customs and Border Protection officials.
“These horrible incidents only further erode the public’s trust in the Department of Homeland Security, and those responsible must be held accountable for their actions. As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I will continue working to ensure tax dollars are being used appropriately and that families and children are treated humanely when they are in U.S. custody.”
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