Rep. Grijalva Leads 22 Members of Congress Demanding Answers from CBP and ICE on Migrants' Missing Documents and Possessions, including Religious Items
Press Release
Today, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva led 22 members of Congress in sending a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner (CBP) Chris Magnus and Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Tae D. Johnson regarding reported instances of CBP agents confiscating and discarding migrants' personal documents such as passports, birth certificates, and other confidential documents necessary for asylum cases and religious property. This has been an ongoing issue with many cases going unreported.
The Government Accountability Office from August 2020 details that from 2017-2019 the ICE Detention Reporting Information Line received over 1,100 complaints related to detainee property and it is unclear whether these complaints were investigated.
"While the issue of individuals having difficulty in recovering their possessions while in custody or after being deported is not new, I am alarmed by recent accounts of migrants having to forgo their personal belongings, including sensitive documents necessary for asylum cases and religious items, when they first encounter immigration officials at the border. I hope CBP and ICE are able to clarify their policies and procedures on this very important matter," said Rep. Grijalva.
"In the past, there have been numerous reports of migrants having been deported without their personal belongings, including their personal identification, sensitive documents, family pictures, and cash," wrote the Members. "These individuals are often stranded in unfamiliar border towns with little hope of having their belongings returned. Without their belongings, individuals face difficulty contacting loved ones and can become targets of violence. The loss of identification documents and inability to access funds can make it nearly impossible for them to return to their home cities; if they are able to return home, they face hardship in finding work as they are unable to prove their identity. Given the serious and sensitive nature of these personal belongings and documents, we request that your agencies answer, the following questions regarding the specific standards, policies and procedures facilities under your jurisdiction are establishing and implementing and how oversight is conducted to ensure compliance with standards We must ensure that all those who have been detained are treated fairly and with dignity and that their personal belongings are safeguarded. "
Cosignatories of letter included: Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Juan Vargas, Carolyn B. Maloney, Alan Lowenthal, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Adriano Espaillat, James P. McGovern, Grace Meng, Judy Chu, Mike Quigley, Ilhan Omar, Jamaal Bowman, Mondaire Jones, Mark Takano, Albio Sires, Marcy Kaptur, Tony Cárdenas, Grace Napolitano, Sara Jacobs, Nanette Diaz Barrágan, Joaquin Castro, and Jesús G. "Chuy" García.
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