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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 Stewart Detention Center

    This memorandum notifies ICE of complaints, describes allegations, and informs ICE that CRCL retained the complaints for investigation at SDC in Lumpkin, GA.

  • Recommendations Memo Concerning Richwood Correctional Center COVID Response

    CRCL conducted a targeted investigation into conditions of detention for ICE detainees at the Richwood Correctional Center in Richwood, Louisiana. CRCL's review focused on Richwood's COVID-19 response, specifically regarding concerns raised by anonymous whistleblowers alleging that deficient institutional practices and mismanagement resulted in the spread of COVID-19.

  • Retention Memo to ICE Concerning La Palma Correctional Center

    CRCL received complaints alleging that ICE violated individuals’ civil rights and civil liberties at the La Palma Correctional Center (LPCC) in Eloy, Arizona. 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 our investigation.

  • Retention Memo to ICE Concerning Otero County Processing Center

    CRCL opened complaints alleging abuses of the civil rights and civil liberties of individuals in the custody of ICE at the Otero County Processing Center in Otero, New Mexico. The purpose of this memorandum is to notify ICE of the complaints, describe the allegations, inform ICE that CRCL retained the above-referenced complaints for investigation, and conducted a virtual onsite investigation at the facility. 

  • Retention Memo to ICE Concerning Otay Mesa Detention Center

    CRCL has received allegations that ICE violated the civil rights and civil liberties of detainees at the Otay Mesa Detention Center (OMDC) in San Diego County, California.

  • Recommendations Memo Concerning Richwood Correctional Center

    CRCL conducted an onsite investigation into conditions of detention for ICE detainees at the Richwood Correctional Center in Richwood, Louisiana on February 20-21, 2020. CRCL's review of Richwood 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 Treatment of Children with Disabilities

    This memorandum provides policy recommendations to protect the well-being of children with disabilities and promote the family unity of families including children with disabilities “to the greatest extent operationally feasible” while in (CBP custody. Accordingly, this memorandum provides policy recommendations with an aim to reinforce existing CBP policy as stated in CBP’s National Standards on Transportation, Escort, Detention, and Search (TEDS) (October 2015) to maintain family unity to the greatest extent operationally feasible.

  • Recommendations Memo Concerning the Pine Prairie Detention Center

    CRCL conducted an investigation into conditions of detention for ICE detainees at the Pine Prairie Detention Center in Pine Prairie, Louisiana.  CRCL's review of Pine Prairie focused in large part on operations in the areas of medical care, mental health care, environmental health and safety, and conditions of confinement.

  • Retention Memo for Onsite Investigation at Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas

    CRCL received complaints alleging that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has violated individuals’ civil rights and civil liberties at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas. The allegations raised and reviewed involved medical care, food, and disability access. 

  • Expert Recommendations Memo for Onsite Investigation at Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral, New Mexico

    CRCL conducted an investigation into conditions of detention for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement LGBTQ detainees at the Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral, New Mexico. The investigation focused on allegations received from the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, the Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, and the Santa Fe Dreamers Project.