![]() ![]() In regard to establishing claimed familial relationships between an adult and an unaccompanied minor, I asked if the agency does DNA testing. I also questioned the Secretary about ORR’s unacceptable vetting practices of family members and sponsors. While Secretary Becerra’s comments seem to suggest that moving children out of ORR facilities quickly is more important than protecting them, the Secretary claimed that was not the case and his comments were more about overall ORR efficiency. ORR does not even notify the local school system that the children have been placed in their jurisdiction. This has led to reports of children being forced to illegally work in dangerous and inappropriate jobs instead of being enrolled in school. These comments are alarming! In April, the New York Times reported that instead of taking the necessary time and effort to properly vet the people the children were being placed with, ORR fast-tracked children through their system. This is not the way you do an assembly line.” “If Henry Ford had seen this in his plants, he would have never become famous and rich. In a leaked audio recording, the Secretary was heard saying, in reference to the processing of unaccompanied minors: This surge has led to increased exploitation and trafficking of unaccompanied minors.ĭuring the questioning portion of the hearing, I asked Secretary Becerra about a few specific concerns I have with ORR.įirst were comments that Secretary Becerra himself made. This puts the agency on pace for over 120,000 referrals for the third year in a row.Įvidence from whistleblowers, Inspector General reports, and news reports demonstrate a failure by ORR to competently manage the surge. As of March 31, 2023, the agency had received almost 60,000 referrals in FY2023. ORR, an agency within HHS, is responsible for the care and placement of unaccompanied children who cross our borders.ĭuring my opening statement, I thanked him for testifying and said even though he and I don’t agree on the Biden policies that brought these children to our border, once we have taken on the responsibility for them, we must properly care for them.ĭuring the Biden Administration, ORR has faced an unprecedented surge in the number of unaccompanied minors referred to its custody.įor reference, from fiscal years (FY) 2018 through 2020, ORR averaged around 44,500 referrals per year. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to come before my Oversight and Investigations (O&I) Subcommittee to discuss the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). ![]()
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