HHS Demands Deutch Apologize For Public Remarks On Abuse Of Migrant Kids

U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) speaks on November 12, 2018, at the Broward Supervisor of Elections office in Lauderhill, Fla. Deutch has been tabbed to lead the House Ethics panel in the 116th Congress. (Joe Cavaretta/Sun Sentinel/TNS)
U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) speaks on November 12, 2018, at the Broward Supervisor of Elections office in Lauderhill, Fla. Deutch has been tabbed to lead the House Ethics panel in the 116th Congress. (Joe Cavaretta... U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) speaks on November 12, 2018, at the Broward Supervisor of Elections office in Lauderhill, Fla. Deutch has been tabbed to lead the House Ethics panel in the 116th Congress. (Joe Cavaretta/Sun Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

In a letter to House Ethics Chairman Ted Deutch (D-FL), the Department of Health and Human Services demanded that the lawmaker apologize for his public remarks about the abuse of migrant children who are in the custody of the agency, Politico reported.

According to the letter obtained by Politico, HHS’ Acting Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement Jonathan Hayes said that Deutch mischaracterized the data and “impugned the integrity of hundreds of federal and civil servants.”

In an impassioned speech during the House Judiciary Committee’s hearing on the family separation policy, Deutch shared data on the number of sexual abuse complaints made by children in HHS custody over the last four years. The data show that thousands of children have filed complaints of abuse, and that includes hundreds of alleged assaults by HHS staff.

But Hayes argues that the majority of allegations filed fall under the category of “‘inappropriate sexual behaviors’ involving solely UAC (unaccompanied alien children) and not staff or any other adults.” He said the category is used to define behaviors such as “use of vulgar language.”

Deutch told Politico he stands by the comments he made earlier this week and still seeks a meeting with HHS on the topic.

Read the letter below:

Latest News
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: