Fed Delegation Continues Opposition To Minor Immigrants Housed At Ft. Sill
Oklahoma lawmakers reiterate opposition to using Fort Sill as shelter for unaccompanied minors
by Chris Casteel
WASHINGTON — Members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation on Monday stepped up their pressure on the administration to stop using Fort Sill, the U.S. Army artillery post in Lawton, for sheltering unaccompanied minors past the October deadline.
“There is significant concern the contract with Fort Sill is turning into a commitment beyond what was originally proposed by the administration and will soon begin to impede on the base’s vital responsibility to house and train new recruits,” said Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa.
Fort Sill has been sheltering about 1,200 children — mostly teenagers from Central America — in troop barracks since early June. It is one of three domestic military bases that is housing some of the minors who have been flooding across the nation’s southern border.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has approved a request from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department to expand the number of children who could be housed in military facilities and extended the time they can stay there.