It can be difficult to find someone who is being held by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). If you’re a worried relative or a legal representative, being aware of the steps and tools at your disposal will make your search much easier. The following will give you a detailed overview of the procedures for finding people in CBP custody, the kinds of circumstances they are subjected to, and the rights and services they are eligible for.
The Initial Process
Encounter and Processing
A main resource for finding someone is the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website. It lets you look up anyone detained by ICE or CBP for 48 hours or more by name or A-Number.
Families and individuals that CBP encounters between ports of entry are sent to a CBP processing center or a U.S. Border Patrol station. They undergo identification and are given a basic health screening here. This procedure includes:
- Biometric and Biographic Data Collection: CBP gathers comprehensive data to stop known dangers from entering the country.
- Health Screening: A preliminary medical examination is done to make sure everyone is safe and healthy.
Legal and Medical Provisions
While in CBP custody, individuals are provided with basic medical care. This care is administered in compliance with all related legal requirements, including the CBP’s Transport, Escort, Detention and Search Policy (TEDS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
Conditions and Rights in CBP Custody
Living Conditions
People detained by CBP are held in clean, safe, and secure facilities. Given the situation, the conditions are designed to be as humane as possible. These facilities offer:
- Basic Hygiene Items: Regular meals, drinking water, mats, and bathrooms.
- Consular Access: People are informed about their right to consular access in a language or manner they can understand.
Legal Support
CBP offers a list of pro bono legal service providers along with their contact details for individuals referred for immigration proceedings. This support is important for people to successfully navigate the complex immigration process.
Length of Custody
CBP aims to hold people for no more than 72 hours. Families typically stay together, and unaccompanied children are kept away from unrelated adults to protect them.
Humanitarian Services
Support for Vulnerable Populations
Many CBP facilities along the southwest border offer humanitarian services to those in custody. These services are focused on vulnerable populations and provide:
- Laundry Services
- Meals
- Childcare: Specific provisions for unaccompanied children.
Photographs and videos of CBP processing centers and temporary soft-sided facilities are available online, offering a window into their conditions and operations.
Border Safety Programs
Prioritizing Health and Safety
CBP puts human health and safety when performing its duties related to homeland security and law enforcement. There is a big investment in effective border safety programs, which include:
- Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue Unit: Specializes in search and rescue operations.
- Missing Migrant Program: Focuses on locating missing migrants and ensuring their safety.
- Rescue Beacons: Deployed throughout the border region to aid those in distress.
Every Border Patrol agent receives first responder training, ensuring they are prepared to handle emergencies.
Addressing Illegal Border Crossings
The Dangers
Crossing the border illegally is dangerous. CBP urges migrants to seek lawful pathways into the United States and avoid placing their lives in the hands of human smugglers. The dangers include:
- Harsh Environmental Conditions
- Exploitation by Smugglers
- Legal and Safety Risks
Processing and Removal
When an individual is in CBP custody, every effort is made to:
- Promptly Transfer and Transport: Ensuring swift movement through the system.
- Process and Release: Completing necessary procedures as quickly as possible.
- Repatriate: Returning individuals to their home countries when appropriate.
All actions are conducted with CBP policies and procedures to ensure fairness and legality.
Contact TEZ Law Firm Today
Finding someone in CBP custody requires knowledge of the steps and tools to do so successfully. Understanding the rights and circumstances of those detained can calm anxiety and help establish reasonable expectations. By combining its legal and humanitarian services with its dedication to human health and safety, CBP ensures that every person is treated with respect and dignity during detention and processing. Contact TEZ Law Firm today if you need professional help regarding immigration matters. Each immigration attorney near me on our team is always ready to assist you.