Pelosi Sends Letter to Speaker Ryan Requesting Briefing from Federal Officials Responsible for Reuniting Families Separated at the Border

Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Today, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan requesting a bipartisan briefing for Members of the U.S. House of Representatives by senior officials of the federal agencies responsible for reuniting children and parents separated at the U.S.-Mexico border as a result of the Trump Administration’s cruel and inhumane family separation policy. 
 
Leader Pelosi wrote, “The federal agencies implementing President Trump’s June 20 Executive Order, represented by the White House as ending the family separation policy, have not provided clear guidance to the public on how parents can be reunited with their children.  Ranking Members of the committees of jurisdiction have sought answers from the agencies they oversee but to no avail… I therefore urge you to convene a briefing with senior Administration officials for all House Members as expeditiously as possible.” 
 
Full text of the letter can be found below:
 
June 27, 2018
 
The Honorable Paul Ryan
Speaker of the House
H-232, United States Capitol
Washington, D.C.  20515
 
Regrettably, I am writing to request that as soon as possible you convene a bipartisan briefing for Members of the U.S. House of Representatives by senior officials of the federal agencies responsible for reuniting children and parents separated at the U.S.-Mexico border as a result of the Trump Administration’s cruel and inhumane family separation policy. 
 
The federal agencies implementing President Trump’s June 20 Executive Order, represented by the White House as ending the family separation policy, have not provided clear guidance to the public on how parents can be reunited with their children.  Ranking Members of the committees of jurisdiction have sought answers from the agencies they oversee but to no avail.
 
At the same time, Members who are receiving inquiries from constituents and who need specific guidance from the agencies to fulfill their casework and representational duties are unable to do so in the most effective and fully informed manner.  Instead, they are left to rely on the limited and conflicting information about the agencies’ plan and intentions as reported in the press.
 
I therefore urge you to convene a briefing with senior Administration officials for all House Members as expeditiously as possible.
 
Thank you for your attention to this urgent priority for our Members.  
 
Sincerely, 
 
NANCY PELOSI
Democratic Leader
 

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