Federal rep refuses Watchdog.org info on immigrant kids, McAuliffe remains silent
IMMIGRANT FLOOD: The influx of illegal immigrant children crossing over the U.S. border has reached Virginia — and one federal agency won’t tell Watchdog.org where those kids are being placed.
By Kathryn Watson | Watchdog.org, Virginia Bureau
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Administration for Children and Families is refusing to tell Watchdog.org where in Virginia it has placed any illegal immigrant children flooding the border — or where it plans to send any more.
Kenneth Wolfe, deputy director at the Office for Public Affairs for the Administration for Children and Families, which falls under the Department of Health and Human Services, said they “do not identify” regular or permanent shelters “for the safety and security of minors and staff at the facilities.” Wolfe has yet to return Watchdog.org’s call for further information.
Watchdog.org contacted Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s office on the issue, but the Democrat has been silent so far, and his press staff is habitually unresponsive to requests from Watchdog.org.
Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart confirmed Monday that some undocumented children are being housed at facilities run by the nonprofit organization Youth for Tomorrow.
Prince William County residents were outraged, as evidenced by the public comments portion of Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
For JoAnn Abbott, a Dale City resident, it isn’t just about illegal immigrant children — it’s about the illegal immigrants who have affected her family personally.
In 2006, while at a red light, she claims her car was rear-ended by an illegal immigrant who was drunk, on the phone and had no driver’s license or insurance. That wasn’t the end of her troubles.
“Within two months, my husband was struck at a red light — by another illegal alien,” she told county supervisors. “My son was struck by another illegal alien,” and the police chased the suspect for two hours, she said.
“As to the cost of illegal immigration, illegal aliens in Virginia, we spent $1.9 billion in the year 2012 alone,” Abbott said, citing statistics from the Federation for American Immigration Reform.
— Kathryn Watson is an investigative reporter for Watchdog.org, and can be reached at kwatson@watchdog.org.
