Rep. Cisneros Statement on the Passage of the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals and Border Protection Custody Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 3239, the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals and Border Protection Custody Act.

“This important bill protects the health, dignity, and lives of children, migrants, and asylum seekers at the border and establishes necessary medical care standards,” said Rep. Cisneros. “We have all seen the images of children in cages, sleeping on concrete floors, and lacking basic hygienic products. It is our responsibility to put forward solutions to address our immigration system, end the inhumane treatment of people because of their country of origin, and uphold our American values.

“As a member of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, I’m proud to have secured two amendments under the leadership of the Co-Chair of the Task Force, Congresswoman Kuster. These bipartisan amendments will provide increased transparency over reports of sexual violence at border facilities and establish sexual violence prevention standards. Beyond just medical care and basic food, water, and hygiene standards, proper oversight is needed to change the culture at these facilities and reduce sexual violence.”

“We are grateful that Congress passed this bill to ensure that all detained migrants are provided access to life-saving medical care, drinking water, and other safety measures. Without legislation, migrants will continue to deteriorate and perish under unsafe and unsanitary conditions, leaving many vulnerable individuals at risk of serious illness and even death,” said Lindsay Toczylowski, Executive Director of Immigrant Defenders Law Center. “This is an initial important step to ensuring that not one more person, parent, or child loses their life in their pursuit of a safe haven.”

Rep. Cisneros is a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and House Armed Services Committee.

Background

Overall, this bill requires Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to ensure that its border facilities are equipped to meet and deliver basic humanitarian standards of care for detained individuals, including families and children. Some of the provisions are highlighted below:

• Protects children’s and families’ health by requiring Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to provide timely, appropriate and standards-based health screenings by licensed medical professionals.
• Creates water, sanitation, and hygiene standards by requiring CBP to provide sufficient drinking water; private, safe and clean toilets; a handwashing station; and basic personal hygiene products.
• Sets out nutrition standards and requires that detainees receive three meals a day, with age-appropriate caloric intake, and special diets for babies, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the elderly and ill. 
• Establishes standards for shelters, including specifying space requirements, temperate ranges and bedding standards, and also protecting religious freedom, family unity and the safety of unaccompanied minors and LGBTQ persons.