Sheila Jackson Lee: “As a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, I rise in support of the H.R. 3239, a the ``Humanitarian Standards for…”

“As a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, I rise in support of the H.R. 3239, a the ``Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act.'' I support H.R. 3239, because it would require CBP to perform an initial health screening on all individuals in CBP custody and ensure that everyone in custody has access to water, sanitation and hygiene, food and nutrition, and safe shelter, among other provisions. I have also offered two amendments that I truly believe keeps the CBP staff and detainees safe under the current conditions. My first amendment to H.R. 3239 requires retention of video monitoring and certification that the video is on at all times. CBP is considered ``at capacity'' when detainee levels reach 4,000. However, between May 14 and June 13, 2019, CBP detained more than 14,000 people per day--and sometimes as many as 18,000. A cell with a maximum capacity of 12 held 76 detainees; a cell with a maximum capacity of 8 held 41 detainees, and a cell with a maximum capacity of 35 held 155 detainees. Individuals were standing on toilets in the cells to make room and gain breathing space, thus limiting access to the toilets. There is limited access to showers and clean clothing, and individuals have been wearing soiled clothing for days or weeks.…”