Rep. Juan Vargas, Colleagues Introduce Bicameral Bill to Standardize CBP Handling of Personal Belongings
WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) joined U.S. Representatives Delia Ramirez (IL-03) and Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07) and Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in introducing the CBP Guidance on Personal Belongings Act. This legislation would require the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to develop guidance to better ensure the respectful handling of personal property of individuals who are in CBP custody.
When people arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border, they often carry their most important personal belongings, such as medication, phones, money, and identity documents. When CBP officials take someone into custody, these belongings are often forcibly confiscated and discarded, creating extreme hardship for immigrants and challenges for local governments and nonprofit organizations assisting migrants after they are released from CBP custody.
In August, CBP issued a directive requiring its personnel to safeguard and return migrants’ personal belongings. The CBP Guidance on Personal Belongings Act would require CBP to maintain such a directive and would establish a monitoring mechanism for the directive’s implementation.
“Too often, we’ve seen cases where CBP takes away and discards migrants’ personal belongings, including legal documents, medication, money, family heirlooms, and religious items. Losing these items is not only heartbreaking for families, but it can also create real danger. Confiscating or destroying documents can hurt asylum-seekers’ ability to substantiate their claims. Missing doses of medication can lead to serious health complications,” said Rep. Juan Vargas. “Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their immigration status. This bill will help prevent unnecessary suffering and hold CBP accountable for safeguarding and returning migrants’ essentials.”
In August 2022, after significant reports from non-governmental organizations of CBP discarding migrant possessions, Rep. Vargas joined 20 of his colleagues in a letter to former CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus and Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Tae D. Johnson on the issue.
In May 2024, the GAO issued its report on CBP’s handling of migrant possessions and the need for more standardized practices and oversight. Rep. Vargas and his colleagues sent a letter to CBP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy Miller in July 2024 to request a meeting to receive an update on CBP’s efforts to implement the GAO’s recommendations.
In August 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published substantial clarifying guidance requiring agents to improve the handling, processing, and return of personal property to migrants at CBP Short-Term Holding Facilities.
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