WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) wrote a letter to President Obama on Tuesday, June 10, urging him to issue an executive order that would implement new standards – modeled on legislation introduced by Boxer in December 2013 – to help ensure that people held in immigration detention and processing facilities nationwide are not subjected to inhumane conditions.
Senator Boxer’s letter follows recent reports that tens of thousands of unaccompanied, undocumented immigrant children are being held in poor conditions at detention facilities that have contributed to an “urgent humanitarian situation.”
“I share your sense of shock and distress for what these tens of thousands of children have endured in their home countries, the exploitation they have suffered on their way to our country, and the long journey they still face before reuniting with their families,” Senator Boxer wrote. “While I appreciate the emergency nature of the federal government’s response to this crisis, I am gravely concerned that migrants apprehended at our borders, children and adults alike, are housed in short-term detention facilities that are woefully inadequate.”
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Senator Boxer’s legislation, the Humane Short Term Custody Act, would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue regulations requiring minimum standards at short-term detention facilities to ensure that all individuals held at these locations receive basic and humane treatment. The bill would give DHS some discretion in the issuance of standards, but requires that the standards address things like access to food, water, bathrooms, and beds; accommodations for pregnant women and individuals with medical needs or disabilities; returning personal belongings; and compliance with DHS sexual abuse reduction policies. The bill also would require the DHS Office of Inspector General to annually inspect CBP facilities and ensure they comply with the standards.
Senator Boxer continued, “In light of the humanitarian crisis we face at the border, I write to urge you to issue an executive order implementing the standards in my bill at all immigration detention and processing facilities: availability of potable water and food; access to bathroom facilities and hygiene items; limits on detention space capacity; sleeping arrangements for detainees held overnight; adequate climate control; and access to emergency medical care, if necessary. These basic, physical needs must be met if we are committed to the humane treatment of every person held by United States authorities.”
In a related development,Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) on Tuesday applauded the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS and Education for increasing funds for the Unaccompanied Alien Children program by more than $1 billion.
The subcommittee more than doubled funding for the program, which helps provide quality care and support for unaccompanied immigrant children, from $912 million in fiscal year 2014 to $1.94 billion in fiscal year 2015. The bill is scheduled to be debated by the full Appropriations Committee on Thursday.
The legislation provides dedicated funding for two key programs that support these children: $80 million for legal services for children in U.S. custody and after they are released to family members and $1 million for advocates to support unaccompanied children while they await judicial review of their immigration cases. The subcommittee set aside funding for child advocates at Senator Feinstein’s request.
The growing problem of unaccompanied children crossing the border was detailed in a recent Los Angeles Times article. Senator Feinstein, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement:
“I thank Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Moran for recognizing the need to ensure the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children who cross the border.
“The recent influx of tens of thousands of children entering the country without their parents has resulted in emergency situations in border states. Federal, state and local officials need increased resources to properly shelter, feed and clothe these children as they work to find solutions to these heartbreaking situations.
“Providing sufficient funding for child advocates and legal services is essential to ensure children have adequate representation and support as their immigration cases make their way through the judicial process.”
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Preceding provided by U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, both of California … Articles in San Diego Jewish World on Jewish Democratic women in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are sponsored by Laura Galinson in memory of her father, Murray Galinson.