Congressman Krishnamoorthi Questions Acting Secretary of Homeland Security McAleenan, Demands Confirmation That Department Use Humanitarian Funding To Help Detainees

Washington, DC - In today's House Oversight Committee hearing on the Trump Administration's detention policies, Congressman Krishnamoorthi questioned Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan on his agency' preparation for a plan on its utilization of $1.34 billion in emergency supplemental funding provided by Congress. Additionally, the Congressman question McAleenan on the status of the investigation into the membership of CBP officials in a Facebook group which included racist, sexist, and other inappropriate posts.

Video of the Congressman's exchange with Acting Secretary McAleenan is available here while a transcript follows below and the Congressman's letter to the Secretary is available here.

TRANSCRIPT

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Acting Secretary, for coming in. Secretary McAleenan, two weeks ago, on July 3rd, my colleague Congressman Chuy García and I wrote you a letter requesting that you provide a plan within fourteen days for how you will utilize the $1.34 billion in emergency supplemental funding provided to DHS to address the border situation. I have not received a response. Mr. Chairman, without objection I would like to enter this letter into the record.

CHAIRMAN CUMMINGS: No objections. So ordered.

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: Mr. McAleenan, has DHS begun receiving the emergency humanitarian funds provided by Congress and signed by the President on July 1st?

MCALEENAN: Of course, and I can tell you that we were already acting in hopes of receiving that funding before the supplemental was enacted.

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: What is the status of the plan for using the funding as Congress intended? I presume there is a plan.

MCALEENAN: Sure. Of course. About half of the funding is dedicated to enhanced facilities, temporary facilities at the border, where we can provide additional space, reduce overcrowding, and improve the care of those that are in custody of CBP during their short stay at the border. We've already erected four temporary soft-sided facilities, two in south Texas, two in El Paso, and by the end of this month we'll have another 4,500 spaces online in an additional set of temporary facilities in those two locations as well.

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: So half of the money is allocated for that purpose. What's the other half?

MCALEENAN: The rest of it covers a range of issues, from paying for the surge force of agents and officers that's down there helping our Border Patrol agents with the humanitarian mission, their temporary deployment. It adds to our medical contracts, so that we can provide embedded medical professionals, certified medical professionals, in our facilities. It augments our ability to pay for supplies and food. I referenced the six million meals that we've provided folks in our custody since October 1st…

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: Just to be clear, all of this money is being used for the humanitarian efforts…

MCALEENAN: That's right.

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: And not for any interior ICE deportation efforts or other enforcement actions, correct?

MCALEENAN: That's how it was appropriated, but I want to be clear, Congressman, that that creates a challenge, because we asked for funding for ICE single-adult beds, and it was not granted, so those single adults are waiting at the border for placement with ICE…

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: I understand. I understand, sir. But just to be clear, that is how the money was funded, so that's how we expect it to be used.

MCALEENAN: That's correct.

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: For purposes of our letter, Chuy García's and my letter, we expect a response. How the money is going to be spent, and on what timeline. It has to be transparent so we can actually measure your efforts against your plan. Do I have your assurance we'll receive that plan?

MCALEENAN: We're transparent to our oversight on how we're spending the money that's appropriated by Congress and will continue to be.

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: Do we have your assurance that you'll respond to the letter with the information requested?

MCALEENAN: We'll respond to all appropriate requests from Congress.

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: Will you respond to our letter on July 3rd?

MCALEENAN: I'd be happy to come talk to you about the plan. I haven't seen the letter. I'll talk to my staff about where it is in the process.

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: Ok. I expect a response, sir. Mr. McAleenan, you served as CBP Commissioner prior to your current role at the helm of DHS. According to CBP, 70 current or former employees are now under investigation for posting racist, sexist, and other inappropriate comments about migrants and Members of Congress to a quote unquote secret Facebook group for Border Patrol agents with over 9,500 members. Are you aware of this secret group, sir?

MCALEENAN: I've been made aware, yes.

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: Were you a member of that group?

MCALEENAN: No.

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: Is [Acting CBP Commissioner] Mark Morgan a current or former member of that group?

MCALEENAN: I don't know, but I don't believe so.

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: Sir, what are the efforts to investigate those particular comments of the members of that group?

MCALEENAN: Yes, CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility initiated an investigation within hours of those allegations coming to light. As you noted, they've already placed a number of individuals under investigation. They've put several on administrative duties. They've issued cease and desist letters, and they're moving very quickly to hold people accountable for conduct that doesn't meet our standards.

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: When will we receive a report on the results of that investigation?

MCALEENAN: So, again, it's proceeding very aggressively. I would say probably this month or early next month we'll be able to update on the results of those investigations.

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: Ok. We find this conduct extremely troubling and expect to receive that report. Would you be willing to come back in to discuss that report?

MCALEENAN: Certainly, or CBP will come and brief it appropriately.

REP. KRISHNAMOORTHI: Sir, last question, which is this: the Zero Tolerance policy that was adopted, how do you define "zero tolerance" under this administration, with regard to immigration policies?

MCALEENAN: Consistent with the President's Executive Order from January 5, 2017, that we would no longer have categorical exceptions to enforcement and immigration law, one. And two, under the Attorney General's April 6th letter, which was to have all [8 U.S.C. §] 1325 unlawful entry cases be submitted—that was the goal—submitted for prosecution by DOJ. During Zero Tolerance, the prosecutions increased from about 20 percent of amenable adults to 50 percent of amenable adults by eliminating that categorical exception.