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Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act
12/29/2022, 10:03 PM
Summary of Bill HR 7257
The bill requires CBP to provide adequate food, water, and medical care to individuals in their custody. It also mandates that CBP provide access to hygiene products, including soap and toothbrushes, as well as clean and safe living conditions. Additionally, the bill requires CBP to conduct health screenings for individuals in their custody and to provide appropriate medical care for those in need.
Furthermore, the bill prohibits the separation of families at the border, except in cases where it is determined to be in the best interest of the child. It also requires CBP to prioritize the release of vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, elderly individuals, and individuals with disabilities. Overall, the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act aims to ensure that individuals in CBP custody are treated humanely and with dignity. It seeks to address the humanitarian crisis at the border and to uphold the rights and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.
Congressional Summary of HR 7257
Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act
This bill imposes requirements and standards related to the care of aliens in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody.
CBP must conduct an initial health screening of each individual in custody to identify those with acute conditions and high-risk vulnerabilities and to provide appropriate healthcare. CBP must conduct the screening within 12 hours of each individual's arrival at a CBP facility, and within 6 hours for certain priority individuals such as children and individuals with disabilities.
The bill imposes various requirements related to providing such screenings, such as providing interpreters, chaperones, and mental health treatment when necessary.
CBP must ensure detainees have access to drinking water, toilets, sanitation facilities, hygiene products, food, and shelter. The bill imposes certain standards relating to such requirements, such as the minimum amount of drinking water for each detainee and the acceptable temperature range of the shelters.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must enter into memoranda of understanding with various government agencies to address instances when surge capacity is necessary.
The DHS Office of the Inspector General must conduct unannounced inspections of ports of entry, border patrol stations, and detention facilities and report the results to Congress. The Government Accountability Office must assess CBP's management of such facilities, whether CBP and DHS processes are in compliance with this bill's requirements, and the behavior of CBP personnel in carrying out this bill.
DHS shall publicly release on its website, on a quarterly basis, aggregate data on complaints of sexual abuse at CBP facilities.
