Department of Defense to House Unaccompanied Migrant Children in Texas

The Pentagon confirmed Wednesday that it had accepted a request by the Department of Homeland Security to house illegal alien children as the crisis at the border continues.

“Today, the Department of Defense approved a request for assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to temporarily house unaccompanied migrant children at a vacant dormitory at Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland, Texas, and an area of land on Fort Bliss, Texas, to construct suitable temporary housing facility,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a statement. “DoD will provide HHS officials access to these locations immediately to begin initial actions to prepare for receiving unaccompanied migrant children as soon as preparations are complete.”

The housing will be fully-reimbursed from taxpayer funds not already allocated to the Defense budget and will not negatively affect military training, operations, readiness, or other military requirements, including National Guard and Reserve readiness.

The Department of Health and Human Services will be called upon to take care of the migrant children while they are detained.

“HHS will maintain custody and responsibility for the well-being and support for these children at all times on the installation,” Kirby said.