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.
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Retention Memo to CBP Concerning Critical Incident Teams
CRCL opened complaints alleging potential violations of civil rights or civil liberties related to the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Critical Incident Teams (CIT) regarding CIT allegedly involving themselves in criminal investigations without authority. The purpose of this memorandum is to notify CBP of the complaints, describe those allegations, and inform CBP that CRCL retained these complaints for investigation.
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CRCL Expert Recommendations Memo Concerning Investigation at Bluebonnet Detention Center in Anson, Texas
CRCL conducted an in-person onsite investigation into conditions of detention for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees at the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Anson, Texas from September 20-24, 2021.
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Retention Memo to ICE Concerning Plymouth County Correctional Facility
CRCL received complaints alleging that ICE violated individuals’ civil rights and civil liberties at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
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Retention Memo Concerning ICE's Oversight of the New Orleans Field Office
Due to the volume and severity of allegations received concerning several ICE detention facilities within the New Orleans (NOL) Area of Responsibility (AOR), CRCL conducted a systemic review of the NOL AOR, focusing on ICE’s oversight of the detention facilities within the AOR.
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Recommendation Memo on Virtual Onsite Investigation at Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield, Louisiana
CRCL conducted a virtual onsite investigation into conditions of detention for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees at the Winn Correction Center in Winnfield, Louisiana from July 26-29, 2021. As part of the onsite investigation, CRCL used four independent subject-matter experts in conditions of detention, environmental health and safety, medical care, and mental health care. At the close of the investigation, CRCL held an exit briefing in which it discussed its findings with leadership from the ICE Field Office, ICE Headquarters, and Winn.
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Recommendations Memo Concerning Port Isabel Detention Center
CRCL conducted an investigation into conditions of detention for ICE detainees at the Port Isabel Detention Center in Los Fresnos, Texas.
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Retention Memo Concerning Alleged Disciplinary Actions Taken Against Unaccompanied Children
CRCL opened complaints alleging violations of civil rights or civil liberties resulting from incidents of alleged disciplinary actions taken against unaccompanied children in CBP custody. The purpose of this memorandum is to notify CBP of the complaints, describe the allegations, and inform you that CRCL retained these complaints for investigation.
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Retention Memo to ICE Concerning Glades County Detention Center
CRCL received complaints alleging that ICE violated individuals’ civil rights and civil liberties at the Glades County Detention Center in Moore Haven, Florida.
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Retention Memo to ICE Concerning Krome North Service Processing Center
CRCL opened complaints alleging that ICE potentially violated the civil rights and civil liberties of detainees in ICE custody at the Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami, FL. The purpose of this memorandum is to notify ICE of the complaints, describe the allegations, and inform ICE that CRCL retained the complaints for investigation.
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Recommendation Memo Related to the Implementation of Migrant Protection Protocols
This memorandum provides a summary of findings as well as policy recommendations regarding implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.