Contact: Ron Boehmer 202-225-2906
Fresh off a visit to child detention and border processing centers in Texas, Pocan cites inhumane treatment and horrific conditions of facilities
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) denounced Governor Scott Walker’s deployment of two dozen Wisconsin National Guard members to the southern border to support the mission of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Pocan’s statement comes just a day after he traveled to Texas to review the situation unfolding on the southern border of the U.S. During his trip, Pocan toured the Border Patrol Processing Center, the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge, the Brownsville Children’s Shelter, and a detention facility.
“Governor Walker’s plan to send Wisconsin National Guard members to the southern border is a misuse of state and federal resources, and only serves to give President Trump air cover for his outrageous and cruel plan to separate immigrant families,” said Pocan. “During my visit to the southern border this weekend, it was clear that additional national guard troops will not alleviate the humanitarian crisis unfolding in shelters. Despite sufficient staffing, immigration officials in Texas seem content with slow-walking procedures and continuing the mistreatment of immigrants at the border.”
“Recent media reports have shown that National Guard members from other states have been tasked with shoveling manure and changing tires, rather than actually watching the border. And while Massachusetts Republican Governor Charlie Baker has rescinded his offer to send troops due to President Trump’s inhumane treatment of children, Governor Walker is committed to disrupting the lives of service members so they can complete mundane tasks,” continued Pocan. “If Governor Walker wants to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding at the border, he should join me in calling on President Trump to end the practice of breaking up families.”
