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  3. CRCL Recommendation and Investigation Memos Collection

CRCL Recommendation and Investigation Memos Collection

The DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties reviews and investigates civil rights and civil liberties complaints and alleged abuses filed by the public regarding DHS policies and activities. The investigations involve a range of alleged abuses, including violation of rights while in immigration detention. CRCL issues recommendations to the relevant DHS Component aimed at addressing any civil rights or civil liberties concerns identified as part of its investigation. Redacted memos and other documents related to these investigations are included in this library.

  • Retention Memo to ICE Concerning Folkston Processing Center in Folkston, Georgia

    The purpose of this memorandum is to notify of the complaints and describe the allegations, inform that CRCL will retain the above-referenced complaints for investigation, conduct an onsite investigation, and explain how CRCL will work with ICE during our investigation concerning the Folkston ICE Processing Center in Folkston, Georgia.

  • Close Memorandum Regarding Investigation at Jackson Parish Correctional Center

    This memorandum concludes the investigation CRCL conducted into allegations related to ICE detainees at the Jackson Parish Correctional Center (Jackson Parish) in Jonesboro, Louisiana. Following a collaborative process between CRCL and ICE, CRCL is closing the complaints.

  • Close Memorandum Regarding Investigation at Stewart Detention Center

    This memorandum concludes the investigation CRCL conducted into allegations related to ICE noncitizens at the Stewart Detention Center (SDC) in Lumpkin, Georgia. Following a collaborative process between CRCL and ICE, CRCL is closing the complaints.

  • Retention Memo Concerning Maritime Interdiction, Protection Screening, and Custody of Migrants in the Caribbean

    The purpose of this memorandum is to notify you of the complaint, inform you that CRCL will retain these complaints for investigation, and explain how CRCL will work with USCG, USCIS, ICE, and CBP due to the interconnected role the agencies perform interdicting maritime migrants.

  • Retention Memo to ICE Concerning Central Louisiana Processing Center

    CRCL has received complaints alleging that ICE has violated individuals’ civil rights and civil
    liberties at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center (CLIPC), in Jena, Louisiana. The purpose of this memorandum is to notify ICE of the complaints and describe the allegations, inform ICE that CRCL will retain the complaints for investigation and conduct an onsite investigation, and explain how CRCL will work with ICE during the investigation.

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.