DeLauro Statement on Emergency Supplemental ORR Funding Request

WASHINGTON, DC (May 1, 2019) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requested an additional $2.9 billion for the Office of Refugee Resettlement's (ORR) unaccompanied children program.

"ORR's mission is to provide care for unaccompanied children and place them safely and expeditiously with sponsors. Yet, over the past two years, President Trump and his administration have exacerbated the humanitarian emergency on our border through their deeply immoral policies toward asylum seekers and unaccompanied children. As such, I will carefully review the request for additional funding, but I will not agree to additional funding that continues the use of HHS agencies to enforce immigration policy. That is not HHS's job. Moreover, Congress and the American people deserve accountability—especially in regard to any additional funding for the unaccompanied children program. That means we need to know exactly how these funds are going to be used. For my part, I will ensure that any funds have strong legal conditions attached to ensure ORR is fulfilling its core mission."