McKeon Calls on Hagel to Suspend All Detainee Transfers

October 30, 2014

Dear Secretary Hagel:

I am writing to express my grave concerns regarding the Administration’s efforts to continue to transfer Guantanamo detainees despite unprecedented threats to our national security.

The committee has received several notifications regarding detainee transfers in recent months.  Many of these notifications contain troubling details.  These details would be alarming in any context, but are particularly troubling given the current threat to the United States from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).  The re-engagement rate of former Guantanamo detainees is ever-increasing and there are public reports that detainees are specifically rejoining the fight alongside ISIL.

The U.S. Government must not release terrorist detainees at the same time we have committed U.S. service members to fight ISIL.  To continue to do so just as we have had to open a new front in the war on terror is unthinkable.  Thus, I request an immediate suspension of all detainee transfers.

I greatly appreciate your willingness to testify before the full committee on November 13 regarding U.S. military operations in Syria and Iraq.  I respectfully request your assistance in addressing these related issues as well.

Sincerely,

Howard P. “Buck” McKeon Chairman House Armed Services Committee