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October 27, 2017

Lawmakers Grill Refugee Resettlement Office Head for Trying to Block Undocumented Teen's Abortion
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The director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Scott Lloyd,
testified before a House subcommittee Thursday, where he was grilled by
lawmakers about his move to personally intervene to try unsuccessfully
to stop a detained undocumented teenager from having an abortion. The
teenager was only able to access the abortion this week, after suing the
Trump administration and fighting for a month. This is Lloyd being
questioned by Washington Congressmember Pramila Jayapal.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal: "Do you believe that a woman's constitutional
right to abortion depends on her immigration status?"

Scott Lloyd: "I think the-any entry into the United States"-

Rep. Pramila Jayapal: "It's a yes-or-no question, Mr. Lloyd. Do you
believe that a woman's constitutional right to abortion depends on her
immigration status? Yes or no?"

Scott Lloyd: "A number of rights-a number of"-

Rep. Pramila Jayapal: "That is not a yes-or-no question-that is not a
yes-or-no answer, Mr. Lloyd."

Scott Lloyd: "Well, my answer is that any number of rights depend on
where they stand in terms of our immigration system."

Rep. Pramila Jayapal: "I do not understand that answer. Is that a yes or
a no? I'll take that as a no. So, do you believe that immigrants have
constitutional rights?"

Scott Lloyd: "Once again, ma'am, if somebody wants to come into the
United States and"-

Rep. Pramila Jayapal: "I'll take that as a no. Mr. Lloyd, do you have
medical training of any kind?"

Scott Lloyd: "I am-if I-if I need advice regarding any medical situation
regarding any of the populations I serve, I consult the medical team who
works on my staff."

Rep. Pramila Jayapal: "So the answer is, no, you don't have medical
training of any kind."

Scott Lloyd: "No, I don't."

That was Congressmember Pramila Jayapal, questioning the director of the
Office of Refugee Resettlement, Scott Lloyd.


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