July 25, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 126 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HUMANITARIAN STANDARDS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION 
                              CUSTODY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 24, 2019

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3239) to 
     require U.S. Customs and Border Protection to perform an 
     initial health screening on detainees, and for other 
     purposes:

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3239, the 
Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection 
Custody Act.
  Having visited federal immigration detention facilities along the 
U.S.-Mexico border, I have seen firsthand the alarming conditions 
imposed on many immigrant refugees by the Trump administration. There 
is no question that we have a humanitarian crisis on our border. It is 
also clear that the immigrant detention system operated by U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection (CBP) needs significant reform and passing H.R. 
3239 is the first step in the process of improving this distressing 
situation.
  H.R. 3239 would finally establish a basic standard of care for 
immigrants in CBP custody, including clearly defining the requirements 
for sanitation, nutrition, and hygiene in CBP detention facilities. The 
legislation would also ensure health screenings by medical 
professionals for every immigrant in CBP custody. I would note that 
this legislation was written with the input of CBP Officers who both 
understand the scope of the humanitarian crisis and the changes that 
need to be made in order to ensure that immigrants in CBP custody get 
the necessary medical care they may require.
  With regards to the Republican Motion to Recommit on H.R. 3239, I am 
unable to support it because Congress still requires answers from CBP 
officials on why Members of Congress and immigrants were targeted in a 
derogatory Facebook group run by current and former CBP employees. 
However, I would like to strongly state that I will always stand in 
support of our federal employees who follow their oath of office. Many 
employees at CBP put their safety at risk on a daily basis, conduct 
themselves with integrity, and they should be supported.
  Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3239.

                          ____________________