Two Catholic bishops of Texas call on the governor Greg Abbott Revoke his state-level executive order and cancel the permits for facilities that accommodate unaccompanied immigrant children (including foster families).
As part of the May 31 disaster statement, Abbott directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to revoke licenses issued to facilities under federal contracts to provide shelter and food for immigrant children. HHSC then instructed such childcare institutions to “end” operations by August 30.
Rev. Mark J. Seitz, Bishop of El Paso, and Rev. Daniel E. Flores, Bishop of Brownsville, urged Abbott not to close the religious department that accommodates hundreds of “vulnerable” immigrant children, claiming that the order violated state laws protecting religious beliefs. free.
“In Texas, Catholic charities provide home-like care to hundreds of vulnerable immigrant children every day,” the bishops wrote in a column published on Sunday. Dallas Morning News.
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According to data from the Immigration Policy Institute, as of mid-May, 52 facilities will be closed due to Abbott’s orders, which can accommodate approximately 4,200 children.
Seitz and Flores continue to say that this move will not only leave thousands of immigrant children in public facilities, it will also make foster children born in the United States homeless, and hundreds of Texans will lose their jobs.
The bishops said: “The children in our family often suffer from severe trauma, instability and uncertainty. For those who cross the border, many escaped or escaped drug cartels and child sex dealers on their way into this country. ,” and added that Texas must “protect children and fulfill its commitment to religious freedom.”
The Democrats strongly condemned Abbott’s disaster declaration. Rep. Veronica Escobar of the 16th Congressional District in El Paso, Texas, tweeted: “Imagine, as governor, using your power to prevent disadvantaged children from gaining The care they need. The attack was aimed at children.
The Biden administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) threatened to sue Texas for the order in a letter to the governor on June 7.
“Although we are more willing to resolve this issue amicably,” Deputy General Counsel Paul Rodriguez said, “HHS is consulting the U.S. Department of Justice and intends to take any necessary and appropriate legal actions to ensure the safety and well-being of disadvantaged youth. “
But in a letter to HHS on June 11, Abbott stated that it refused to revoke the order.
The Republican governor defended the order, stating that “the surge in the number of illegally crossing the Texas-Mexico border constitutes continuous and imminent widespread and serious damage, injury, and loss of life and property to Texans. Threats”.
Weekly newspaper Contact the Abbott office for comments.
