Thompson, McIver Lead Dems in Demanding Closure of Delaney Hall, Condemn Markwayne Mullin Threats Against Major U.S. Airports Ahead of Testimony Tomorrow
“If your mishandling of these matters is indicative of the chaos we can expect from your tenure as Secretary, the security of our homeland is at risk.”
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), led Committee Democrats in demanding that Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin immediately close the Delaney Hall detention center in New Jersey for its deplorable conditions and abandon his threats to cause aviation travel chaos solely to punish states he doesn’t like.
In a letter ahead of Secretary Mullin's appearance before the Committee tomorrow, Democrats condemn DHS and the GEO Group for their operations at the Delaney Hall facility in New Jersey, where detainees have reported unsanitary conditions and inadequate medical care. The facility has also been the site of a detainee death, multiple escapes, and recent hunger and labor strikes protesting conditions.
“Instead of addressing these conditions, DHS has repeatedly denied all allegations – even denying that a hunger strike is occurring – while refusing to let the New Jersey Department of Health conduct a full investigation of conditions at Delaney Hall,” the Members wrote. “Given DHS’s and GEO Group’s unwillingness to address these deplorable conditions and treat persons detained there humanely, we demand that you close Delaney Hall immediately.”
Committee Democrats also blasted Mullin's threats to remove Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel from major international airports, warning that such actions could cripple passenger travel and inflict serious damage on the American economy. “As Americans struggle to afford basic goods, the compounding impacts of a disruption to international air traffic would be devastating on our economy and the traveling public,” the Members added.
"Your scheme to bully Democrats into submission by threatening to hold the U.S. transportation system and our Nation's economy hostage is a shocking abuse of your authorities as Secretary."
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