01.13.16

Hoeven Expresses Concern Over Plan to House Unaccompanied Alien Children in Grand Forks

Senator Asks HHS Deputy Secretary to Keep Delegation, Community Informed

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today spoke with Mary Wakefield, Acting Deputy Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to express his concern over the Obama administration’s consideration of Grand Forks Airforce Base (GFAFB) as a site to house unaccompanied alien children. Wakefield is a North Dakota native.

“It doesn’t make sense to bring unaccompanied alien minors to a northern tier Air Force base like Grand Forks, which is so far removed from the southern border,” Hoeven said. “Our objective should be to reunite these children with their families in their country of origin.”

Last month, HHS notified the Department of Defense (DOD) that the base is under consideration as a potential temporary shelter for up to 300 minor children from Central America who have crossed the southern border without adult supervision. The Pentagon and HHS are currently doing site assessments of six military bases across the country to accommodate the children.