WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., and other Democratic U.S. House members will head to the U.S.-Mexico border near McAllen and Brownsville, Texas.

The members will be briefed by detention center staff and speak to children and parents at those locations as well as two nonprofit centers before crossing over the border at Gateway International Bridge in Brownsville to provide food and other items to migrant families attempting to apply for asylum in the U.S.

“I am deeply disturbed by the recent Office of Inspector General report and the stories I have heard from colleagues about the horrendous conditions that immigrant children and families are being forced to live in at facilities at our southern border,” Kuster said. “Many of these individuals came here after escaping horrific situations, and forcing them to live in these inhumane conditions is unimaginable. Following our visit in June 2018, the Trump administration made changes to their family separation policies. It is our job as members of Congress to conduct oversight, and this trip will allow us to see up close the impact that this administration’s actions are having on vulnerable children and families. I look forward to informing the public about what we see.”

Last year, Kuster visited McAllen and Brownsville to observe conditions on the ground and the impact of President Donald Trump’s executive action on the separation of families. In February, Kuster questioned expert witnesses about family separation and expressed her outrage at the policy and frustration with the failure of the administration to track children and their families. Kuster voted in favor of legislation last month that will relieve overcrowding and provides $4.5 billion to bring food, sanitary items, medical services, and other essentials to migrants and refugees.

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