Secrecy Permeates Housing Facility for Alien Youth

By Marguerite Telford on July 2, 2014

Yesterday Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.) attempted to visit a Health and Human Services (HHS) housing facility occupied by an estimated 1,200 illegal-alien youths relocated from the Texas border. The congressman was denied entry to this facility, located in Ft. Sill. He was told by the HHS official in charge that he would have to make an appointment, which could be scheduled for him in three weeks if he emailed the appropriate person. His phone call was not returned.

The congressman said, "There is no excuse for denying a Federal Representative from Oklahoma access to a federal facility in Oklahoma where unaccompanied children are being held. Any Member of Congress should have the legal authority to visit a federal youth detention facility without waiting three weeks."

This is particularly unsettling considering a report from FOX News that revealed doctors and nurses at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where more illegal-alien youths are being held, were told not to speak to anyone about the conditions inside. The government contracted security force, who call themselves the "Brown Shirts", has even threatened the medical staff with arrest. The concern is the public will hear about the dreadful medical situation. Many of the detainees are believed to be infected with measles, chicken pox, scabies, strep, and lice. Even more disconcerting are the cases of swine flu that have been diagnosed.

The secrecy surrounding the processing and resettling of these illegal aliens is disturbing. An elected federal official representing the citizens of Oklahoma ought to be granted access to this federal facility to check on the well-being of the youth being housed there. Congress is supposed to have oversight of HHS.

This is not the first time that this administration has decided to block oversight of a federal agency and to provide as little information to Congress as possible.

After Rep. Bridenstine finishes exposing the inappropriate secrecy regarding the unaccompanied youth, maybe he can join Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar (R) in bringing attention to the "gagging" of the Border Patrol officers, who are no longer allowed to speak to the media.

The culture of agency secrecy starts at the top.