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. Specifically, CRCL investigated: 1) conditions in the area under the Del Río-Ciudad Acuña International Bridge (Bridge) where CBP established a ticketing system where thousands of migrants who had unlawfully entered the United States were called by a numbered and color-coded ticket to present themselves for processing by CBP and transportation to CBP facilities. This area contained temporary fencing to guide migrants who were waiting to be taken into CBP custody and processed (hereinafter referred to as “partially fenced staging area”), an area where none of the interviewees expressed a belief or understanding that they were free to leave; 2) allegations of disparate and discriminatory treatment of Haitian migrants based on race and/or nationality; and 3) policies and procedures related to the deployment of the U.S. Border Patrol Horse Patrol Units (HPU).