Congressional Hispanic Caucus Statement on GAO Finding that CBP Violated the Law and Misspent Emergency Funds

SAN ANTONIO, TX — Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) issued the following on the GAO report that CBP violated appropriations law:

"CBP broke the law, and it's outrageous. Last summer, Congress appropriated $112 million to CBP in emergency funding to help improve conditions for migrants at the border after multiple deaths in custody. Instead of ensuring all appropriated funds went to help vulnerable migrants in their custody, the Trump administration bought dog food and dirt bikes. It's absolutely appalling. Nearly one-hundred House Democrats joined CHC Members in opposing the supplemental bill and warned that it did not do enough to hold the administration accountable or stop the rampant human rights abuses at the border. We were correct. CBP's predictable conduct is unacceptable."

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.