MARTHA ROBY COMMITTEE:

2ND DISTRICT, ALABAMA

APPROPRIATIONS

CANNON House OFFICE BUILDING

 (?0111;er at the @Hm?teh ?tates
Janus: of ikepresentatihes
Washington, @012 20515?0102
January 4, 2016

Honorable Sylvia Burwell

Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Ave, SW

Washington, DC 20201

Dea Secreta ry Burwell,

It has come to my attention that the Department of Health and Human Services intends to assess
Maxwell-Gunter-Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, as a possible location to house illegal
immigrant detainees. I write in strong opposition to this proposal.

Maxwell-Gunter is an active military installation that is home to robust military activities and

a number of highly classified programs. Maxwell-Gunter routinely hosts Air Force personnel?

including Air Force officers of all ranks and the Secretary of the Air Force?~to participate in important
educational activities, is home to active flight line operations associated with the 908th Airlift Wing, and
houses sensitive IT and cyber activities. It is entirely inappropriate to house illegal immigrants at this or
other active military installations.

The Air Force personnel at Maxwell-Gunter, like members ofthe.U.S. Military stationed at bases
throughout the country, are working hard to keep America safe. That mission is challenging enough
without the added responsibility of housing, feeding, and securing detainees.

As you may recall, a similar site assessment occurred in 2014. In a July 23, 2014, letter to you I stated my
objections to bringing detainees to Maxwell-Gunter. That sentiment remains today.

While I recognize that this assessment, and others like it occurring at military facilities around the
nation, does not necessarily reflect a decision to move immigrant detainees to Department of Defense
facilities, I urge your immediate rejection of any proposal to do so. In addition, I request to be personally
informed-of any action regarding the continuation, execution, or evaluation of any site assessment of
Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base.

Sinc ly,



rtha Roby
Member of Congress

CC:

The Honorable Ash Carter, Secretary of Defense
The Honorable Jeh Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security

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