Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joined fellow democratic lawmakers in Texas, Tuesday, to call for the release of several individuals, including a Maine teen, held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center.Pingree first announced the visit during her speech at the Maine Democratic State Convention Saturday night, intending to inspect the immigration facility and to call on the Department of Homeland Security to release 19-year-old Olivia Andre, who had been living in Portland as an asylum seeker from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.In a press conference after the visit, Pingree and fellow members of Congress described the conditions of the facility as unsafe and unhealthy.”I want to validate all of the things that my colleagues have been saying, and everything you’re hearing is true: We need to close Dilley, we need to close these facilities, there was nothing about the conditions that were humane,” Pingree said.Pingree says she was able to spend around an hour with Andre during the visit, saying she’s been experiencing mental health issues and long waits for healthcare.Pingree says Andre filed a court petition on Monday.”We have been seeking in every possible way,” Pingree said. “While her family pursues their very valid asylum claim about the horrific things they lived through in the DRC, we want her back home with us.”Andre was originally detained along with her mother and siblings in November. Her family was released back in March.U.S Customs and Border Protection says the family entered the United States illegally in 2022. Border Patrol said the family was denied asylum.Pingree has spoken out about Andre’s detention before, writing a letter in April to the acting director of ICE that asks for the teenager to be released.
SAN ANTONIO —
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joined fellow democratic lawmakers in Texas, Tuesday, to call for the release of several individuals, including a Maine teen, held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center.
Pingree first announced the visit during her speech at the Maine Democratic State Convention Saturday night, intending to inspect the immigration facility and to call on the Department of Homeland Security to release 19-year-old Olivia Andre, who had been living in Portland as an asylum seeker from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Office of Rep. Chellie Pingree
In a press conference after the visit, Pingree and fellow members of Congress described the conditions of the facility as unsafe and unhealthy.
“I want to validate all of the things that my colleagues have been saying, and everything you’re hearing is true: We need to close Dilley, we need to close these facilities, there was nothing about the conditions that were humane,” Pingree said.
Office of Rep. Chellie Pingree
Pingree says she was able to spend around an hour with Andre during the visit, saying she’s been experiencing mental health issues and long waits for healthcare.
Pingree says Andre filed a court petition on Monday.
“We have been seeking [Andre’s release] in every possible way,” Pingree said. “While her family pursues their very valid asylum claim about the horrific things they lived through in the DRC, we want her back home with us.”
Office of Rep. Chellie Pingree
Andre was originally detained along with her mother and siblings in November. Her family was released back in March.
U.S Customs and Border Protection says the family entered the United States illegally in 2022. Border Patrol said the family was denied asylum.
Pingree has spoken out about Andre’s detention before, writing a letter in April to the acting director of ICE that asks for the teenager to be released.