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.

IV 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. LOF- GREN, Mr. NADLER, Mr. LUJA´N, Mr. CARBAJAL, Mr. CISNEROS, Mr. VARGAS, Ms. GARCIA of Texas, Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ, Ms. MUCARSEL-POW- ELL, Mr. SIRES, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. BARRAGA´N, Mr. SAN NICOLAS, Mr. SABLAN, Ms. ESCOBAR, Mr. SOTO, Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Mr. CA´RDENAS, 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 deter- mined 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 individ- uals 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, en- VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:05 Feb 12, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC17.IH HC17 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HCON 17 IH dowed with the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and pur- suit 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 Home- land 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 med- ical care, mental health services, and humanitarian as- sistance; Whereas lack of access to adequate medical screenings, emer- gency 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:05 Feb 12, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC17.IH HC17 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HCON 17 IH 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] fam- ily, including food, clothing, housing and medical care’’: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 1 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that— 2 (1) the United States must provide a basic 3 standard of humanitarian care to all individuals in 4 its custody; and 5 (2) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 6 should— 7 (A) provide a standardized, adequate 8 health assessment by a trained and certified 9 health professional for each individual in its 10 care; 11 (B) have the medical equipment necessary 12 to respond to medical emergencies quickly and 13 efficaciously, including equipment necessary to 14 treat children and the elderly; 15 (C) have sufficient capacity to transport 16 individuals in its custody to the appropriate 17 medical facility in a timely manner; 18 (D) provide for adequate water, nutrition, 19 hygiene, and sanitation needs of individuals in 20 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:05 Feb 12, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HC17.IH HC17 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •HCON 17 IH temporary CBP custody, consistent with a life 1 of dignity; 2 (E) provide living accommodations for in- 3 dividuals in temporary CBP custody that en- 4 sure such facilities are humane and appropriate 5 for single adults, families, and unaccompanied 6 children, and should have contingency plans for 7 responding to surges in individuals crossing the 8 border; and 9 (F) provide appropriate training in human- 10 itarian care for Federal and contract personnel 11 who interact with individuals in CBP custody. 12 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:05 Feb 12, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HC17.IH HC17 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS