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Cuellar wants to increase transparency at ICE detention centers

In light of some concerning reports out of immigration detention facilities, Laredo's congressman is working to change the way they operate.
Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, announced Thursday that he secured language in the House Fiscal Year 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations bill designed to increase transparency within ICE detention centers, as well as increased funding for Alternatives to Detention.
Concerned with the treatment of undocumented migrant families, Congressman Cuellar has brought the lack of transparency in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention Centers to the attention of the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee.
Reports have expressed concern about the treatment of migrants after apprehension by the U.S. Border Patrol and during transfer to ICE custody. ICE is expected to ensure that individuals under their supervision and custody are treated fairly and humanely and have opportunities to report incidents, as well as verify the status, location and disposition of family members.
To address this issue, Congressman Cuellar helped secure language in the Fiscal Year 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations bill directing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General to continue reviewing both ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection detention facilities, as well as to include unannounced inspections.
These measures would:
• Ensure oversight and improvements of detention facility conditions, standards, inspections, and healthcare services
• Provide guidance on the use of segregation
• Improve disability accommodations
• Ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations
The language states that ICE submit within 30 days of the date of enactment, and semiannually thereafter, an update on its oversight of family detention facilities, including recommendations for improvements made by the Advisory Committee on Family Residential Centers or as a result of ICE’s community liaison initiative.
Additionally, Congressman Cuellar has helped secure increased funding for the Alternatives to Detention Program to save taxpayers from spending extra money on immigration detention. ATD programs, which include regular check-ins and ankle monitors, provide an alternative route for migrants in ICE custody for whom detention is not legally required.
ATD programs have proven to be highly effective, more humane, and far less costly than institutional detention, which is why the Congressman has advocated increased funding for ATD by $11,608,000 above FY2016.
For example, a family could be placed on ATD for 1.62 years for the same cost as being in detention for 17 days. A single adult could be placed on ATD for 2.60 years for the same cost as being in detention for 35 days.
“While there will always be a debate about illegal immigration, the well-being of undocumented migrants and their families while in custody or in detention is a priority of mine,” Cuellar added. “I included this language to bring greater transparency to the everyday operations of ICE-run detention facilities. I believe in enforcing our immigration laws, which is why I recently secured federal funding for more immigration judges across the country to provide immigrants the opportunity to present their claims in our federal immigration courts. But throughout this process, I also believe in the human and dignified treatment of every person that comes to America’s borders.”
To further increase transparency, while we know each year there are many who succumb from the treacherous journey attempting to cross the border, estimates vary as to the exact number and causes. To better understand these tragedies and prevent them in the future Congressman Cuellar secured language requiring CBP to report on the incidences and causes of migrant deaths along the border.
"I am excited to see that Congress, spurred by the leadership of Congressman Cuellar, is taking action to ensure that we are treating migrants with greater dignity and rights as they interact with our border and immigration enforcement agencies,” said Sister Rosemary Welsh of Mercy Ministries of Laredo. “As a nation, we must have as a principle of our border and immigration policy that we preserve the lives and wellbeing of migrants, border residents, and enforcers. By telling ICE to stop family separation, setting and striving toward high standards at detention centers, and funding alternatives to detention these measures work to support such a principle. As a nation, we must have as a principle of our border and immigration policy that we preserve the lives and wellbeing of migrants, border residents, and enforcers.”

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