DeLauro Statement on ORR Cancelling Basic Services for Unaccompanied Children

WASHINGTON, DC (June 5, 2019) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03),Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, today released the following regarding reports that the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is cancelling programs for unaccompanied children.

"Basic educational, recreational, and legal services for unaccompanied children are imperative for their physical and mental well-being. ORR's cancelling of these services will inflict further harm on children, many of whom continue to languish for months without being placed safely and expeditiously into a sponsor's care. That is not only unacceptable, it could be in violation of the law. Congressional Republicans need to stop holding up the emergency supplemental negotiations and agree to necessary and reasonable protections to ensure the health and safety of the thousands of unaccompanied children."