Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has updated its protocols for handling migrants' possessions at the southern border, which has been a concern of Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ). The Arizona Congressman issued a statement praising the new directives, calling it "the largest step forward to safeguard the care of migrants' personal possessions, and more can still be done to fill in the gaps."
In July, Rep. Grijalva spearheaded a letter demanding answers to reports of specific border sectors confiscating and discarding migrants' personal belongings, including the turbans of Sikh men and the hijabs of Muslim women.
As a result, the new protocols issued by CBP include an expanded definition of "essential" items carried by migrants, such as documentation, money, phones, medical supplies, and religious paraphernalia.
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Other changes include "clearer, more rigorous standards for handling and replacing non-U.S. prescribed medications" and "ensuring that items needed for medical or disability-related reasons are retained throughout the duration of custody."
While Rep. Grijalva said these new changes were rough around the edges, he nevertheless agreed with them in his press release, saying, "The Biden administration's new additional property handling policy represents a crucial and positive advancement in making sure our immigration system treats those seeking a better life with the dignity and respect they deserve."
"This is the largest step forward to safeguard the care of migrants' personal possessions, and more can still be done to fill in the gaps. I look forward to working with Secretary Mayorkas to make certain these new guidelines are implemented and building on this recent progress," the Arizona Congressman added.
In mid-August, the Biden Administration put forth a new program offering parole to illegal aliens who have married American citizens and stayed in the United States for ten or more years, which Grijalva also praised in the first link of this article.
"This moment is one that communities and families in Arizona and across the United States have been waiting decades for. I'm grateful for the Biden-Harris administration for upholding the principle to keep families together. I urge eligible individuals to apply for this program and to use their best judgment to avoid being victims of potential scams," said Grijalva.
