Republican Oversight Leaders Request Information on DHS Readiness for Migrant Caravans at the Southern Border
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform; Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC), Ranking Member of the Government Operations Subcommittee; Congressman Jody Hice (R-GA), Ranking Member of the National Security Subcommittee; Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX), Ranking Member of the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Subcommittee; Congressman Micheal Cloud (R-TX), Ranking Member of the Economic and Consumer Policy Subcommittee; and Congressman James Comer (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Environment Subcommittee sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen requesting information about the threat posed by caravans coming to the southern border and the Administration’s efforts to enhance border security.
Excerpts from the letter:
“Since last year, thousands of individuals have traveled in caravans from Central America to the United States. In November 2018, DHS disclosed that over 270 individuals in a caravan traveling toward the United States had committed violent crimes-such as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, and sexual assault against a child-or known ties to violent gangs. Some members of the caravans have even used women and children as ‘human shields’ in clashes with federal agents in Guatemala, and assaulted U.S. law enforcement officials with rocks, glass bottles, and other projectiles.”
“Now it appears there are three new caravans moving through Central America toward the United States. On February 5, you reported that a nearly 2,000-alien caravan had recently arrived in Northern Mexico to cross our southern border. Another caravan with almost 12,000 members is reportedly also in transit to the United States. As these large caravans near our southern border, the Department and its components must be fully prepared to protect our border from possible criminals attempting to enter unlawfully.”
Full text of the letter can be viewed here.