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Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL)

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Declaración del DHS sobre la Seguridad y la Aplicación de La Ley Durante La Tormenta Invernar de Nueva York

El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS, por sus siglas en inglés) está trabajando con sus socios federales, estatales, locales, y no gubernamentales para apoyar las necesidades en las áreas afectadas por la tormenta invernar en Nueva York, en especial en los condados de Erie y Genesee. A la luz de estas circunstancias, el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de los Estados Unidos (ICE, por sus siglas en inglés) y el Servicio de Aduanas y Protección de Fronteras de los Estados Unidos (CBP, por sus siglas en inglés) recuerdan al público que los sitios que proporcionan respuesta y ayuda de emergencia se consideran áreas protegidas. En la medida de lo posible, ICE y CBP no llevan a cabo actividades de aplicación de la ley de inmigración en áreas protegidas, tales como a lo largo de las rutas de evacuación, sitios utilizados para el refugio o la distribución de suministros de emergencia, alimentos o agua, o sitios de registro para la asistencia relacionada con el desastre o la reunificación de las familias y seres queridos.

Last Updated: | Publication

Retention Memo to ICE Concerning Retaliation Allegations in ICE Custody

In October 2022, CRCL conducted a review of all allegations received by CRCL from May 1, 2021, until July 6, 2022 that involved retaliation or threats of retaliation by ICE and facility personnel against individuals in ICE custody. 

Last Updated: | Publication

Determination Memo to USCIS Concerning Section 504

The purpose of this memorandum is to inform USCIS of the finding by CRCL that USCIS discriminated against the complainant in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Section 504), 29 U.S.C. § 794(a). This memorandum also describes the remedy required by CRCL and provides USCIS additional related recommendations.

Last Updated: | Publication

Close Memo to ICE Concerning Prairieland Detention Center

This memorandum concludes the investigation CRCL conducted into allegations related to ICE detainees at the Prairieland Detention Center (PDC) in Alvarado, Texas. From September 8-10, 2020, CRCL conducted an onsite investigation at the PDC, accompanied by three subject matter experts in the areas of medical care, environmental health and safety, and conditions of detention. On March 30, 2021, CRCL provided ICE with an Expert Recommendation Memorandum, which contained 21 recommendations, along with the experts’ written reports. On September 7, 2021, ICE responded to the recommendations, concurring with 16, partially concurring with 4, and non-concurring with one.

Last Updated: | Publication

Recommendation Memo to CBP Concerning Response to Migrant Activity in Del Rio, Texas

This memorandum provides recommendations related to the investigation conducted by CRCL of the CBP response to a surge of primarily Haitian migrants in September 2021.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

DHS Statement on Safety and Enforcement During Hurricane Nicole

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working with its federal, state, local, and non-governmental partners to support the needs of the areas that may be impacted by Hurricane Nicole.

Last Updated: | Press Releases

Declaración del DHS sobre la Seguridad y la Aplicación de La Ley Durante el Huracán Nicole

El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS, por sus siglas en inglés) está trabajando con sus socios federales, estatales, locales, y no gubernamentales para apoyar las necesidades en las áreas afectadas por el huracán Nicole.

Last Updated: | Publication

Retention Memo to CBP Concerning Treatment of Religious Items During CBP Processing and Access to Religious Meals

CRCL reviewed allegations that Sikh individuals had their turbans discarded by U.S. Border Patrol agents during processing in the Yuma Sector. This memorandum is to notify of the complaint, describe allegations, and inform that CRCL retained this complaint for investigation.

Last Updated: | Publication

Recommendation Memo to ICE Concerning Moshannon Valley Processing Center

CRCL conducted a "spot-check" into conditions of detention of the ICE Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania on August 24 -25, 2022. Based upon detainee and staff interviews, document reviews, review of use of force video footage, and direct onsite observations, CRCL's subject matter expert found several areas of concerns and is issuing 29 recommendations contained herein.

Last Updated: | Publication

Close Memo Regarding CBP's Treatment of Children with Disabilities

On September 10, 2020, CRCL issued a Recommendation Memorandum to CBP following an investigation of several CRCL complaints concerning the separation of children with disabilities from their families. CRCL found that existing CBP measures and guidelines did not fully address the factors that CBP should consider when separating a child with a disability from his or her parent or guardian, and that CBP documentation was often inadequate.