Grijalva requests GAO review of CBP handling of asylum seekers’ personal property
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - On Monday, November 7, 2022, Arizona Representative Raul M. Grijalva issued a statement following the a joint letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
Accordingly, the letter requested a review of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) activities and procedures on handling of asylum seekers' personal property.
There have been numerous reports of CBP agents confiscating and disregarding migrants' personal documents.
For example, these include passports, birth certificates, and other confidential documents necessary for asylum cases and religious property.
“CBP has failed in its responsibility to handle the personal property of migrants and asylum seekers. These reports are serious, and the mishandling and mistreatment of sensitive personal belongings and documents by CBP agents demand additional oversight,” said Rep. Grijalva.
“CBP must not be allowed to skirt its responsibility to treat asylum seekers with respect and be held to higher standards. As written under CBP policy, detained individuals and asylum seekers should have their personal belongings safeguarded, itemized, documented, and accessible. This GAO report request is one of many additional steps that we will take to hold CBP accountable.”
If you want to read the full GAO report, then click here.
