Living conditions in CBP centers are alarming

On June 12, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released an official report through the Office of Inspector General (OIG), showing the results of an investigation conducted during 2019 inside the centers from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the conditions offered by CBP to detainees, as well as hygiene and health protocols implemented in its facilities.

The name of the official document is “CBP Struggled to Provide Adequate Detention Conditions During 2019 Migrant Surge”.

Just with the name of the report, we can understand that the conditions of the CBP centers are not adequate for the number of immigrants detained there.

According to official figures, during fiscal year 2019 (October through September), CBP detained more than 851,000 immigrants who attempted to cross the borders of the US without legal documentation.

This figure shows a considerable increase compared to fiscal year 2018. That is why the OIG stated: “Our unannounced inspections revealed that under these challenging circumstances, CBP struggled to meet detention standards”

The official report is mainly focused on the health protocols and care offered to detainees inside CBP centers.

The main findings

The investigation was conducted in 21 centers under the supervision of CBP. Some of the OIG’s main findings are:

1. Detention centers are normally overcrowded.
2. There are not enough medical personnel to assist all detainees in the event of a health emergency.
3. The private belongings of detainees are not rigorously cared for, therefore, they are lost on many occasions.
4. Minors do not always have access to phone calls.
5. Detentions last longer than necessary.
6. Hygiene conditions are not always adequate inside these detention centers.

On the other hand, the OIG mentions certain positive aspects of the protocols implemented by CBP. For instance:

1. In general, centers meet basic health requirements.
2. All detention centers do have access to medical assistance if necessary.
3. CBP examines the health of detainees before they enter its facilities.

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The arrival of the pandemic

After this analysis, the DHS gave the CBP certain mandatory guidelines to implement health protocols inside its facilities.

However, the arrival of the global Coronavirus pandemic exacerbates the situation. In fact, there are thousands of positive cases of COVID-19 in immigration detention centers around the country.

Starting with the fact that overcrowded places are the main hotbeds of the virus, detention centers do not have enough space to have the required social distancing to avoid a massive outbreak.

Therefore, CBP is currently struggling to implement emergency measures and prevent more detainees from catching the nouvelle Coronavirus and also to protect federal employees.

The right guidance

Despite the repercussions of the current situation and the recent changes in immigration policies in the US, you can still prepare your case correctly and send an immigration application. It is always better to seek the guide of experts to help you organize your documentation.

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.