The conditions at the Emergency Intake Site (EIS) for unaccompanied children in Pecos, Texas are some of the harshest and most restrictive we’ve ever seen.

RAICES attorneys who work with children at the EIS in Pecos and children formerly and currently detained there report cage-like conditions, medical neglect, raw chicken served at mealtimes and more. This facility is run by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) housed in The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Accountability for the poor conditions at the facility falls squarely on HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s shoulders.

HHS Sec. Becerra spent his career in Congress and as Attorney General of California advocating to expand legal protections for immigrants. Yet, as HHS Secretary, the suffering of immigrants – including children – in detention is worsening on his watch. That is unacceptable. RAICES is calling on HHS Sec. Becerra to step up and lead, and use his power to protect immigrant children by shutting down the EIS in Pecos, Texas immediately.

Click here to read more about the poor conditions at Pecos EIS in the New York Times