Laredo Times

Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, secured language strengthening migrant facility video monitoring and consolidating migrant medical care in the Committee report accompanying the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. Rep. Cuellar secured this language in light of continued migrant health and safety issues at DHS holding facilities. These requirements will help meet the humanitarian needs of migrants at the United States’ southern border.

The migrant facility video monitoring language requires:

•    U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) to provide for continuous video monitoring and recording in its facilities that house and process migrants;

•    Any non-working video or recording systems and associated recording or storage equipment in a facility that houses or processes migrants must be identified and prioritized for repair or replacement within 24 hours;

•    Equipment that remains non-working after 24 hours shall be reported as a Serious Incident to the CBP Watch and a weekly outage and repair status report shall be provided to agency leadership and the Office of Professional Responsibility; and,

•    Aligns proper oversight o video monitoring systems to employee performance evaluations.

The migrant medical care-related language requires:

•    The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Health Security (OHS), in collaboration with other relevant agencies, to provide a briefing to the Committee on the feasibility of consolidating medical care for those in DHS care and custody into OHS;

•    That the briefing provide any alternate reporting and oversight changes that may strengthen the provision of medical care for individuals in DHS care and custody; and,

•    That the briefing include an estimate of any funding, personnel, procurement impacts, related oversight considerations, and a discussion of any necessary changes in legal authorities.

“Migrants who cross into the United States deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. The language I secured in the FY24 Homeland Security Appropriations bill will ensure proper oversight and care of migrants as they await processing,” said Congressman Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “The United States has witnessed an uptick in migration this year. I will continue to use my position within the House Appropriations Committee to ensure our Homeland Security personnel have the equipment and resources they need to properly care for migrants. Thank you to House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman David Joyce for working with me to include this important language to meet the needs of migrants at our southern border.”

To view a copy of Congressman Cuellar’s language, click here.

Original source can be found here.