Sinema and McSally call for an investigation into allegations.
Call follows allegations of border-facility abuse
Arizona’s Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Martha McSally want an investigation into the allegations of mistreatment of migrant children at Border Patrol facilities in Yuma.
The explosive allegations were detailed in reports compiled from April to June by case workers for the federal agency that took custody of the minors after they were released from Border Patrol custody.
Customs and Border Protection, the agency that oversees the Border Patrol, confirmed that one of the allegations — an accusation that an agent groped a 15year-old Honduran girl during a pat down in front of other officers — is under investigation by the agency’s watchdog office.
Elected officials are pushing for an investigation into all accusations of mistreatment, which were first reported Tuesday by NBC News. The reports allege that border agents retaliated against young migrants after they complained about the food and water, and that agents called the migrants derogatory names.
Sinema, D-Ariz., plans on getting answers regarding these allegations from the person overseeing the U.S. government’s response at the U.S.-Mexico border — the secretary of Homeland Security — her office said.
“Kyrsten is disturbed by the allegations and will be speaking to Acting Homeland Security Secretary (Kevin) McAleenan to get answers,” Sinema spokeswoman Hannah Hurley said.
The Homeland Security chief has agreed to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on July 18 about family separations at the border. But he’s almost certain to be asked about the conditions of migrant facilities at the border.
His department’s own watchdog agency, the Office of the Inspector General, has published several reports about serious overcrowding issues at Border Patrol facilities in El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley, as well as even the potential for riots.
McSally, R-Ariz., called for a prompt investigation while also defending the work of border agents, who have been overwhelmed by the mass arrival of migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Border Patrol agents have one of the hardest jobs in America right now, as they are being asked to protect our borders, while also being asked to handle the humanitarian crisis on the border,” McSally said in a written statement. “If there are bad actors within their ranks, we need to address it immediately.”
Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., whose border congressional district includes the Yuma area, called for greater accountability of those responsible for the mistreatment of migrants.
Grijalva urged Congress to step in to ensure that the $4.6 billion that lawmakers recently appropriated for humanitarian aid at the border is conditioned on the proper treatment of migrants.
“Every last individual abusing children — or complicit by turning a blind eye — needs to be fired and criminally prosecuted for their disgusting behavior,” Grijalva said. “And members of Congress must be allowed immediate access to these facilities to conduct urgent oversight.”
At the state level, a spokesman for Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said the governor was aware of the allegations and that his office was working with the proper authorities to get answers.
“The safety, security and well-being of children housed in our state must be prioritized. The governor made this clear after allegations regarding Southwest Key,” Ducey spokesman Patrick Ptak said.
He was referring to several allegations and documented instances of sexual and physical abuse of migrant children who were housed in facilities in the Phoenix area, and operated by Southwest Key, a private contractor.
“We are working with federal authorities to gather the facts and ensure any and all allegations are being properly and seriously addressed and that these children are safe,” he added.