Congresswoman Kuster gave periodic updates throughout the day which can be watched HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE

(McAllen, TX) – Today Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) toured the McAllen Border Patrol Station, the McAllen Centralized Process Center, and the Port of Isabel ICE Detention Center to observe conditions on the ground and the impact of President Trump’s Executive Action on the separation of families. This week, Kuster helped lead a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen requesting information on the status of children who have been separated from their parents. To this point, it is not clear how all families will be reunited.

“The separation of families remains deeply troubling." said Kuster. "I met with 40 mothers who had been separated from their children and it was impossible not to see the fear in their eyes that they would never see their children again. I heard from mothers who had their nursing babies taken from them and have no idea where they are. This is immoral, heartbreaking, and wrong. We still have not heard of plans for reuniting all of the 2,300 children who have already been separated from their parents. It's also clear that the Executive Order issued by President Trump is insufficient to address the issue of families being separated. We've heard from multiple officials that they need more guidance from the Administration. The Administration should immediately release a plan for reuniting divided families and provide guidance to border patrol officials to ensure that families seeking asylum are treated humanely and their asylum claim is reviewed quickly. Finally, Congress must act. We need comprehensive immigration reform that will ensure that families seeking asylum are not treated in this barbaric manner."

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