Fleischmann Calls for "Transparent and Thorough Investigation' at HHS Chattanooga Facility After License to Operate is Suspended

Statement

U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) today released the following statement after the State of Tennessee suspended the Baptiste Group's license to operate La Casa de Sydney, located in Chattanooga. The suspension comes after Chattanooga police announced the arrest of an individual for sexual battery against a migrant child.

"I am glad to hear that the Department of Child Services has taken decisive action to suspend the Baptiste Group's license to operate a child migrant facility in Chattanooga. The safety and wellbeing of unaccompanied migrant children must always come first."

"There must be a transparent and thorough investigation into these horrific allegations. This sad situation should never have happened in the first place. The Biden Admiration's lawless policies at the southern border have created a humanitarian and national security crisis and has led to the abuse and neglect of migrant children on U.S. soil."

"I will continue to demand accountability from the Administration to protect migrant children temporarily here in Tennessee."

Background:

In May, Rep. Fleischmann and U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty sent a letter to the HHS and Department of Homeland Security Secretaries requesting transparency after reports that the Biden Administration had been transporting illegal unaccompanied minors to Tennessee. The Biden Administration has not responded to the letter.

Last week, Fleischmann, Blackburn, and Hagerty followed up with a letter to Becerra demanding transparency concerning the resettlement of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UACs) across the United States and information regarding what steps are being taken to ensure these minors are properly cared for and checked on, placed with fit and qualified sponsors that can support them, and brought to their immigration hearings.

The Tennessee lawmakers also recently introduced the Migrant Resettlement Transparency Act, which requires the HHS Secretary and DHS Secretary to consult in advance with state and local officials of impacted jurisdictions regarding federally administered or funded migrant resettlement. It also requires the Administration to submit to Congress and governors a monthly, state-specific report regarding the resettlement, transportation, or relocation of illegal aliens.

Source