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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 Baker County Detention Center

    CRCL received complaints alleging that ICE potentially violated the civil rights and civil liberties of detainees in ICE custody at the Baker County Detention Center in Macclenny, Florida.

  • Expert Recommendations Memo Concerning Concerning COVID-19 Response

    CRCL retained an investigation related to CBP's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, reviewing adherence to relevant policies and procedures.

  • Recommendations Memo Concerning Otay Mesa Detention Center

    CRCL conducted an investigation into conditions of detention for ICE detainees at the Otay Mesa Detention Center. CRCL’s virtual investigation occurred from October 26-28, 2020 and was in response to complaints alleging civil rights and civil liberties violations at OMDC related to general medical and mental health care, conditions of detention, and environmental health and safety.

  • Retention Memo to ICE Concerning Bluebonnet Detention Center

    This memorandum notifies ICE of complaints and describes allegations, informing ICE that CRCL retained the complaints, and conducted an onsite investigation.

  • Follow-Up Memo Regarding CBP's Treatment of Children with Disabilities

    This memorandum is a follow up to CBP's response to the September 10, 2020 memorandum from CRCL and the DHS Office of the General Counsel, titled "CBP's Treatment of Children with Disabilities." As set forth in the memorandum, CRCL investigated several  complaints alleging that CBP separated children with disabilities from their parents or legal guardians and offered eight policy recommendations. CBP responded on January 28, 2021.

  • Recommendations Memo to CBP Concerning Title 42

    This memorandum provides policy recommendations to CBP to better enable CBP to protect and safeguard undocumented individuals who seek to enter or who unlawfully enter the United States during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and who are subjected to expulsion under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) public health authority in 42 U.S.C. § 265 ("Title 42"). Specifically, this memorandum provides policy recommendations to CBP regarding medical care and humanitarian protections. 

  • Recommendations Memo Concerning La Palma Corrections Center

    CRCL conducted an investigation into conditions of detention for ICE detainees at the La Palma Correction Center in Eloy, Arizona. CRCL’s virtual onsite investigation occurred February 22-25, 2021, and was in response to allegations received regarding general conditions of detention, inadequate medical care of detainees, and environmental health and safety concerns at the facility.

  • Recommendations Memo Concerning Otero Processing Center

    CRCL conducted a virtual onsite investigation into conditions of detention for ICE detainees at the Otero County Processing Center in Otero, New Mexico on November 30-December 3, 2020. CRCL’s review of the facility focused in large part on operations in the areas of medical care, mental health care, environmental health and safety, and conditions of confinement.

  • Recommendations Memo to CBP Concerning Alleged Nationality and Place of Birth Discrimination at the Blaine Port of Entry

    In this memorandum, CRCL provides analysis and recommendations to CBP resulting from CRCL’s investigation into complaints alleging nationality and birth discrimination at the Blaine Port of Entry. 

  • Recommendations Memo Concerning Stewart Detention Center

    CRCL conducted a virtual onsite at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia to review the conditions of detention for ICE detainees. Specifically, CRCL investigated four COVID-19 related deaths and reviewed additional allegations concerning medical and mental health care and conditions of detention received since March 2020.