© 2026 ABC News

The hearing will also examine a secret Facebook group where current and former border patrol agents purportedly posted \"racist, sexist and xenophobic\" material disparaging members of Congress and immigrants.

On Monday, other lawmakers traveled to the Texas-Mexico border where they alleged mistreatment of migrants detained in El Paso and Clint, Texas.

After that visit, New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said women at one border patrol station were told to drink out of toilets, saying the sinks used for drinking water were broken. On \"Fox and Friends\" Tuesday morning, one of President Donald Trump's senior advisers, Kellyanne Conway, called her a \"liar.\"

Later Tuesday, an administration official told ABC News that at least one of the sinks was broken, but agents had put jugs of water nearby for the women to drink.

At the facilities, toilets are connected to sinks and Ocasio-Cortez retweeted a photo she said looked similar to the toilet she saw.

This was in fact the type of toilet we saw in the cell.

Except there was just one, and the sink portion was not functioning - @AyannaPressley smartly tried to open the faucet, and nothing came out.

So the women were told they could drink out of the bowl. https://t.co/rcu9Rt6B2x

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 1, 2019

In the Tuesday visit in Florida, Rep. Bennie Thompson, the chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, joined a delegation of Democrats at the Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children, where several Democratic presidential candidates visited while they were in town for the Democratic presidential debate last week.

\"PHOTO:
Joe Skipper/Getty Images, FILE
PHOTO: The front gate of the Homestead Temporary Shelter For Unaccompanied Children is shown on June 19, 2018 in Homestead, Fla.
>

\"It's what I didn't see that bothers me the most,\" Thompson, D-Miss., told reporters, expressing concern that the Miami-Dade school system was not involved in the education of immigrants while lamenting that U.S. taxpayers pay $775 per day, per child. \"It doesn't matter what the president or any of his people say, we're going to get it right.\"

After the tour, Georgia Democrat Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon, said the experience reinforced his deepest beliefs.

\"I came here to learn. I've been deeply moved by what I have seen and what I have heard,\" Lewis said. \"When you see something that's not right, not fair, not just, you have to say something. You have to do something.\"

Lawmakers also expressed disgust over a secret Facebook group where current and former border agents purportedly shared lewd content disparaging members of the delegation ahead of their visit. The group was named \"I'm 10-15\" -- the Border Patrol's code for \"aliens in custody.\"

Rep. Frederica Wilson, a Florida Democrat, led the delegation and marked her third trip to the facility, called the behavior \"a disgrace\" and called on any border patrol personnel who posted inappropriate content to be prosecuted.

\"You cannot intimidate members of Congress,\" Wilson, D-Florida, said. \"It is against the law.\"

Rep. Jahana Hayes, a freshman Democrat who was recognized as the the 2016 Teacher of the Year, said the delegation was shown empty dormitory rooms with neatly-made beds. She bemoaned that Health and Human Services, which operates the shelter, \"just missed out on an opportunity to ask Congress for help.\"

\"It was too perfect,\" Hayes, D-Mass., said. \"What I saw in there is not anything I'd want for my children. It's not okay for anyone else's children.\"

This cannot exist,\" she continued. \"God help us all if this is what Americans do. God help us all.\"

\"PHOTO:
Christ Chavez/Getty Images
PHOTO: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez addresses the media after touring the Clint, Texas, Border Patrol Facility housing children, July 1, 2019.
>

Earlier Tuesday, Ocasio-Cortez charged that the border patrol agents present were disrespectful of Members of Congress present for the tour, even snapping photos.

I can't understate how disturbing it was that CBP officers were openly disrespectful of the Congressional tour.

If officers felt comfortable violating agreements in front of their *own* management & superiors, that tells us the agency has lost all control of their own officers. https://t.co/zZjNaodplr

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 2, 2019

Ocasio-Cortez and other Democratic Latina lawmakers, including Reps. Veronica Escobar of Texas and Nanette Barragan and Pete Aguilar of California were heckled after their tour Monday, with protesters shouting \"liar,\" \"Trump 2020,\" \"do your job,\" and \"B.S.\" as the members detailed their experience.

\"The country has gone into dark place,\" Escobar said, telling reporters it was the 10th congressional delegation she had led since taking office in January.

While it's unclear whether any of the agents who encountered lawmakers Monday had posted any content on the Facebook page, progressives questioned the wisdom of passing a $4.6 billion bill to continue facilitating operations at the facilities – even though the package also included money earmarked for humanitarian relief.

\"We are appalled by the vile and inexcusable conduct displayed in this Facebook group. Clearly, there is a pervasive culture within CBP of dehumanizing and racist behavior towards immigrants in custody, by some CBP agents,\" Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Mark Pocan and Pramila Jayapal wrote in a statement. \"This disturbing report underscores our concerns with the decision to provide additional funding for CBP absent appropriate and necessary safeguards to ensure detained immigrants are treated with dignity. We support a full investigation into this despicable conduct and we urge CBP to take swift disciplinary action against the perpetrators, up to and including termination.\"

Facebook told ABC News that it is cooperating with federal authorities looking into the group.

\"We want everyone using Facebook to feel safe,\" a Facebook spokesperson told ABC. \"Our Community Standards apply across Facebook, including in secret Groups. We're cooperating with federal authorities in their investigation.\"

","canonicalUrl":"https://abcnews.com/Politics/lawmakers-continue-scrutinize-conditions-immigrant-detention-centers/story?id=64089271","legacySlug":"/news/story/lawmakers-continue-scrutinize-conditions-immigrant-detention-centers-64089271","noIndexNoFollow":false},"publishTime":"23:06","publishDate":"07-02-2019","updatedTime":"11:54","updatedDate":"07-03-2019","socialImage":{"alt":"The front gate of the Homestead Temporary Shelter For Unaccompanied Children is shown on June 19, 2018 in Homestead, Fla.","credit":"Joe Skipper/Getty Images, FILE","ratio":"16x9","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/US/homestead-temporary-shelter-children-gty-4-thg-180622_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg","width":992,"height":558},"datePublished":"7/2/2019 23:06:00 GMT","video":{"live":false,"id":64089271,"headline":"Dems scrutinize conditions at immigrant shelters","mediaAssetTitle":"CBP/FACEBOOK/DETENTION CENTERS TUESDAY","description":"Dems say CBP disrespected lawmakers amid secret Facebook group controversy.","duration":"2:05","posterImg":{"url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/default-img-undefined.png","width":608,"height":342},"video":{"feed":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2019/07/190703_gma_carr_0708_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"},"playlist":["132306053","132266872","132055565"]},"relatedItems":[{"contentType":"video","date":"April 23, 2026","headline":"Trump orders Navy to 'shoot and kill' any boat laying mines in Strait of Hormuz","section":"News","slug":"/video/132306053","id":"132306053","image":{"alt":"VIDEO: Trump orders Navy to 'shoot and kill' any boat laying mines in Strait of Hormuz","credit":"ABCNews.com","ratio":"1x1","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","width":384,"height":384},"images":{"alt":"VIDEO: Trump orders Navy to 'shoot and kill' any boat laying mines in Strait of Hormuz","credit":"ABCNews.com","crops":[{"16x9":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_16x9_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"9x16":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_9x16_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_9x16_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"1x1":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_1x1_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_1x1_1600.jpg"}}]}},{"contentType":"video","date":"April 22, 2026","headline":"Fallout after Fed nominee grilled on Capitol Hill","section":"News","slug":"/video/132266872","id":"132266872","image":{"alt":"VIDEO: Fallout after Fed nominee grilled on Capitol Hill","credit":"ABCNews.com","ratio":"1x1","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","width":384,"height":384},"images":{"alt":"VIDEO: Fallout after Fed nominee grilled on Capitol Hill","credit":"ABCNews.com","crops":[{"16x9":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_16x9_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"9x16":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_9x16_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_9x16_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"1x1":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_1x1_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_1x1_1600.jpg"}}]}},{"contentType":"video","date":"April 15, 2026","headline":"American influencer found dead in Tanzania","section":"News","slug":"/video/132055565","id":"132055565","image":{"alt":"VIDEO: American influencer found dead in Tanzania","credit":"ABCNews.com","ratio":"1x1","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","width":384,"height":384},"images":{"alt":"VIDEO: American influencer found dead in Tanzania","credit":"ABCNews.com","crops":[{"16x9":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_16x9_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"9x16":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_9x16_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_9x16_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"1x1":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_1x1_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_1x1_1600.jpg"}}]}}],"relatedContentSection":"news","schemaContent":{"name":"Dems scrutinize conditions at immigrant shelters","description":"Dems say CBP disrespected lawmakers amid secret Facebook group controversy.","duration":"2:05","uploadDate":"07-02-2019","publication":"07-02-2019","images":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/default-img-undefined.png","url":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2019/07/190703_gma_carr_0708_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","contentUrl":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2019/07/190703_gma_carr_0708_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","link":"https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/lawmakers-continue-scrutinize-conditions-immigrant-detention-centers-64089271"}},"playlist":[{"id":"132281378","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132283010","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132273278","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132231169","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132206748","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132200241","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132054443","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132054798","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132033010","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131912713","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131830583","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131834976","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131554765","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131554815","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131543053","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131432442","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131121474","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131247079","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131228784","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131178806","contentType":"story","section":"news"}],"kvps":{"pgtyp":"article","lang":"en","sp":"goodmorningamerica","programmatic":"true","bundleId":"com.abcnews"}},"analytics":{"accountID":"wdgnewwdgnewgmaweb","ns":"gma","pageName":"gma:news:video","pageType":"video","globalSpecVersion":"v1.08","siteDifferentiator":"gma:site","tagID":"g_page01","userABCookie":"0","section":"news","title":"Dems scrutinize conditions at immigrant shelters","pubTime":"19:06","pubDate":"07-02-2019","modTime":"07:54","modDate":"07-03-2019","taxonomyTags":"none","id":64089271,"editorialOtherSubjects":"","wordCount":"none","columns":"none","authors":"","authorsUnit":"none","authorsBureau":"none","subBrand":"Good Morning America","provider":"Good Morning America","videoName":"Dems scrutinize conditions at immigrant shelters","mediaAssetTitle":"CBP/FACEBOOK/DETENTION CENTERS TUESDAY","videoId":64089271,"mediaOnPage":"video","legacySlug":"/news/story/lawmakers-continue-scrutinize-conditions-immigrant-detention-centers-64089271"},"taboola":{}},"request":{"headers":{},"httpVersion":"1.1","method":"GET","url":"/video/64089271","vary":{"host":"www.goodmorningamerica.com","cached":true,"path":"/video/64089271","forwarded-proto":"https","device":"desktop","userab":"0"}},"viewport":{"width":1260,"height":0},"user":{}};