Title: Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the provision of a basic standard of humanitarian care to all individuals in U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody.
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the United States must provide a basic standard of humanitarian care to all individuals in its custody. In particular, the resolution urges U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide adequate care, including health care, living accommodations, and sanitation to those in its custody.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 17 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 17

  Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the provision of a basic 
 standard of humanitarian care to all individuals in U.S. Customs and 
                       Border Protection custody.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 11, 2019

  Mr. Ruiz (for himself, Mr. Castro of Texas, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Ms. 
Lofgren, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. Cisneros, Mr. Vargas, 
  Ms. Garcia of Texas, Ms. Velazquez, Ms. Mucarsel-Powell, Mr. Sires, 
    Mrs. Napolitano, Ms. Barragan, Mr. San Nicolas, Mr. Sablan, Ms. 
Escobar, Mr. Soto, Mr. Gonzalez of Texas, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Cardenas, 
 Mr. Correa, Mrs. Torres of California, and Mr. Gallego) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
 the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of 
                        the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the provision of a basic 
 standard of humanitarian care to all individuals in U.S. Customs and 
                       Border Protection custody.

Whereas two children, Jakelin Caal Maquin and Felipe Gomez Alonzo, recently died 
        while in the custody of the Federal Government;
Whereas the Declaration of Independence sets forth that all individuals in the 
        United States are created equal, endowed with the inalienable rights of 
        life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness;
Whereas the United States was founded as a nation of men and women seeking 
        freedom, refuge, and prosperity for themselves and their descendants;
Whereas the United States recognizes the inherent human dignity of all 
        individuals;
Whereas the core values held by the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. 
        Customs and Border Protection include integrity, vigilance, and respect;
Whereas U.S. Customs and Border Protection acknowledged that U.S. Border Patrol 
        stations were built over 30 years ago for single adult males, not the 
        humanitarian needs of families, and need additional resources to provide 
        medical care, mental health services, and humanitarian assistance;
Whereas lack of access to adequate medical screenings, emergency medical care, 
        shelter, sanitation, water supply, and food poses serious risks to 
        individual and public health;
Whereas the United States is one of the original signatories of the Universal 
        Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, which states that ``recognition of 
        the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all 
        members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and 
        peace in the world'';
Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that, ``Member States 
        have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United 
        Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human 
        rights and fundamental freedoms.''; and
Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says that everyone, without 
        distinction of any kind, ``has the right to a standard of living 
        adequate for the health and well-being of himself [or herself] and of 
        his [or her] family, including food, clothing, housing and medical 
        care'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the United States must provide a basic standard of 
        humanitarian care to all individuals in its custody; and
            (2) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) should--
                    (A) provide a standardized, adequate health 
                assessment by a trained and certified health 
                professional for each individual in its care;
                    (B) have the medical equipment necessary to respond 
                to medical emergencies quickly and efficaciously, 
                including equipment necessary to treat children and the 
                elderly;
                    (C) have sufficient capacity to transport 
                individuals in its custody to the appropriate medical 
                facility in a timely manner;
                    (D) provide for adequate water, nutrition, hygiene, 
                and sanitation needs of individuals in temporary CBP 
                custody, consistent with a life of dignity;
                    (E) provide living accommodations for individuals 
                in temporary CBP custody that ensure such facilities 
                are humane and appropriate for single adults, families, 
                and unaccompanied children, and should have contingency 
                plans for responding to surges in individuals crossing 
                the border; and
                    (F) provide appropriate training in humanitarian 
                care for Federal and contract personnel who interact 
                with individuals in CBP custody.
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