Federal oversight of immigrant shelter questioned

12/22/2014

MANVEL, TEXAS (AP) -- A Texas congressman says he wants more information about a behavior treatment shelter for immigrant children near Houston that has received $13 million in federal funding.

The Houston Chronicle reported Sunday that Congress is pressuring the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement to increase oversight of facilities such as the Shiloh Treatment Center.

State records show that children at Shiloh have made allegations of physical abused and painful restraints. A local prosecutor wrote to federal authorities in 2011 with concerns.

Shiloh president Clay Dean Hill told the newspaper that staff is "deeply concerned" about the well-being and security of the children they serve. He said its higher costs are justified because they specialize in mental health services.

Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Olson says he's frustrated by a lack of transparency.

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