Rep. Cuellar’s Statement on the New Report Detailing Overcrowding and Prolonged Detention at U.S. Customs and Border Protection Holding Facilities in the Rio Grande Valley
Washington | Charlotte Laracy, DC Press Secretary (202-226-1583); Leslie Martinez, District Press Secretary (956-286-6007),
July 5, 2019
Rep. Cuellar’s Statement on the New Report Detailing Overcrowding and Prolonged Detention at U.S. Customs and Border Protection Holding Facilities in the Rio Grande Valley Washington, D.C.-- Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) released the following statement regarding the report, published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General, that described overcrowding and prolonged detention of children and adults in the Rio Grande Valley: “The vast increases in families and children coming across our southern border has presented unique challenges to DHS and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). At-risk populations at U.S. Border Patrol holding facilities have been subject to overcrowding and prolonged detention due to CBP holding, ICE detention, and HHS shelter capacities reaching their limit. “Congress acted to alleviate these issues by providing $4.6 billion in emergency funding just last week. With this funding CBP will be able to build temporary facilities for migrants at border stations and ports of entry and provide basic necessities like food, clothing and medical treatment and for HHS to expand their licensed shelters and take custody of migrant children from CBP or ICE before releasing them to the care of family members or other sponsors. “Since 2014, I have fought to increase transparency and improve standards, inspections, and healthcare services at immigration detention facilities in the U.S. On the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, I have secured language in to ensure compliance with CBP’s National Standards on Transport, Escort, Detention, and Search (TEDS) which includes provisions regarding proper treatment and care of detained individuals. I have also included an amendment directing ICE’s Office of Detention Oversight to conduct unannounced inspections of all ICE family residential centers at least twice a year, which will be promptly published on ICE’s website. It is our duty to provide humane and dignified treatment to every person that comes to America’s border. “We need to find remedies to improve conditions at detention centers. That is why I fought to ensure Congress passed the FY19 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill last week. Providing humanitarian aid to these children and families should not be a partisan issue. The $4.6 billion we’ve allocated will address the unprecedented surge of migrants at the southern border and ensure improved humanitarian care for migrant children and families. As the Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, I will continue to demand accountability and transparency from the Administration on the care of the migrant children and families at our southern border.” The FY19 Emergency Supplemental Bill includes: Funding and Protocols for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Funding and Protocols for Health and Human Services (HHS)
Read Congressman Cuellar’s Appropriation Language on Detention Centers from FY15-FY19 here. Read current CBP and HHS standards for detention facilities here. |