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 for Onsite Investigation at Worcester County Jail in Snow Hill, Maryland
CRCL received complaints alleging that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement violated the civil rights and civil liberties of detainees at the Worcester County Jail in Snow Hill, Maryland. The allegations raised concerns regarding conditions of detention, medical care, sexual abuse and assault prevention and intervention (or Prison Rape Elimination Act [PREA] abuses), and environmental health and safety.
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Recommendations Memo Concerning Ensuring Meaningful Access for Indigenous Language Speakers
Pursuant to 6 U.S.C. § 345 and 42 U.S.C. § 2000ee-1, this memorandum provides policy recommendations to CBP regarding a complaint in which the complainant
alleges that CBP failed to provide him meaningful language access during the inspections process. -
Recommendations Memo to CBP and ICE Concerning Family Separation
This memorandum discusses the outcome of the investigation conducted by CRCL into allegations that CBP and ICE violated the civil rights or civil liberties of family members who were separated after crossing the U.S. border, based on inadequate or outdated policies and procedures, and with inadequate training,
oversight, and documentation. -
Expert Recommendation Memo to CBP Concerning Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol Stations
CRCL conducted an onsite investigation in the Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) from July 16-19, 2018. CRCL visited the RGV Central Processing Center (CPC) and four U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) stations (Rio Grande City, McAllen, Harlingen, and Brownsville Stations). This investigation was in part a follow-up to CRCL’s onsite investigation in RGV in July 2014 that included inspections at eight USBP stations, one port of entry, and the CPC. Enclosed with this memorandum is the report prepared by our subject-matter expert. The expert has divided the findings and recommendations into those involving the CPC and others that are sector-wide.
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Expert Recommendations Memo for Onsite Investigation at Coastal Bend Detention Center at Robstown, Texas
CRCL is conducting an investigation into conditions of detention for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees at the Coastal Bend Detention Center in Robstown, Texas. CRCL’s onsite investigation occurred March 20-21, 2019, and was in response to allegations received alleging civil rights and civil liberties violations of detainees at the facility in the following areas: inadequate medical care, general conditions of detention and environmental health and safety concerns.
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Close Memo for Onsite Investigation at El Paso Service Processing Center in El Paso, Texas
CRCL conducted an investigation into the conditions of detention for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees at the El Paso Service Processing Center in El Paso, Texas. This memorandum notified ICE that, following a collaborative process, CRCL considers the issues identified by the experts to be closed.
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Close Memo for Onsite Investigation at Theo Lacy Facility in Orange, California
CRCL conducted an onsite investigation at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange, California to address allegations of inadequate medical care, recreation, access to telephones, and law library access, and other concerns. This investigation involved an expert in medical care and an expert in detentions.
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Recommendations Memo to CBP Concerning Religious Questioning at Ports of Entry
This memorandum provides policy and training recommendations to better support front-line CBP Office of Field Operations officers in avoiding improper questions regarding travelers' religion while conducting border inspections. It closes, with general findings and specific recommendations, multiple complaints filed with the
CRCL on this subject, and also closes multiple complaints that touch on similar subjects--without findings or recommendations--due to their age and ongoing litigation. -
Expert Recommendations or Onsite Investigation at Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey
CRCL conducted an onsite investigation into conditions of detention for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees at the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey. CRCL's investigation occurred March 27-29, 2018, and was in response to complaints alleging civil rights and civil liberties violations of general conditions of detention, inadequate medical and mental health care of detainees, and inadequate environmental health and safety at the facility.
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Close Memo for Onsite Investigation at Contra Costa Jail West County Detention Facility in Richmond, California
CRCL conducted an investigation into the conditions of detention for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees at the Contra Costa County Jail's West County Detention Facility in Richmond, California. Following a collaborative process between ICE and CRCL that focused on findings and recommendations made by CRCL's subject matter experts, ICE informed CRCL that it is no longer using the facility. Consequently, as of the date of this memorandum, CRCL closed the related complaint.