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[Page H5083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HUMANITARIAN STANDARDS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
California (Mr. Ruiz) for 5 minutes.
Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, today the House will vote on legislation to
provide our immigration agencies the humanitarian resources they need
for children, women, and families. However, that is not enough when
this administration has argued in court that children in CBP custody do
not need soap, toothbrushes, or blankets as basic necessities for
hygiene.
This bill funds items and resources for a dysfunctional system that
treats children and families inhumanely. It does not create
humanitarian standards that will change behavior, and it will not meet
the humanitarian needs of children and families.
We need to pass my legislation, the Humanitarian Standards for
Individuals in CBP Custody Act, a comprehensive, public health approach
to address the basic humanitarian needs of children and families under
CBP's custody and responsibility.
Why? Why are these humanitarian standards needed? Because, when I
visited the border, I saw open toilets and crowded cells without
privacy. I saw one latrine for 200 individuals. I saw babies who were
dirty and didn't have diapers and didn't have free access to water and
formula. Because six children have now died while in the custody and
responsibility of CBP, under their supposed TEDS standards.
Why? Because my bill will define what a health screening is. It will
say that a health screening is an interview, a questionnaire, and it
will have vital signs, an actual physical examination, and consultation
with an emergency care provider. The appropriations bill doesn't.
My bill will say that high-priority individuals, upon detention,
within 3 hours, must have a health screening. The appropriations bill
doesn't.
My bill says that there needs to be emergency care backup for every
individual who has a healthcare screening. The appropriations bill
doesn't.
In terms of water, my bill will say that every adult will, at least,
have free access to 1 gallon of water. The appropriations bill doesn't
give those metrics.
It says that there should be one closed, private, functioning toilet
per 12 men or 8 women. The appropriations bill doesn't.
It says that individuals should have the ability to bathe once a day.
The appropriations bill does not.
In terms of shelter, an individual should have 2 meters squared of
space. Right now, they are piled on top of each other. The
appropriations bill will not change that practice.
It says that temperatures should be kept within a humane range.
Currently, they are keeping them in very, very cold rooms, interrupting
their sleep, which decreases their immune system and makes them prone
to more illnesses and mental health disorders.
The appropriations bill does not require them to allow the children
to sleep 8 hours.
The appropriations bill does not say that they need to keep
temperatures in a humane range.
In terms of food, my bill says that an adult should have, at least, a
minimum of 2,000 calories a day. The appropriations bill doesn't. We
are just funding a lot of food, and we already know that children are
given frozen burritos.
My bill will say that a pregnant woman or a child under 12 years old
or the elderly should have age-appropriate food and age-appropriate
calories per day. This appropriations bill does not enforce those
behavioral changes.
So, today's vote is a desperate bill for a desperate situation. But,
don't be fooled that this bill is going to meet the humanitarian needs
of women and children at the border. Don't be fooled into thinking that
we should pat ourselves on the back and walk away thinking that this
problem is over or that children and families will be treated
humanely--not when an administration is arguing that toothbrushes and
soap are not needed for basic hygiene for children.
Mr. Speaker, I urge a vote on my bill, and I urge my fellow
Representatives to support my bill, the Humanitarian Standards for
Individuals in CBP Custody Act, to bring humanity back to our treatment
of women, children, and families seeking asylum and prevent the
needless loss of life.
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