Congressman Raul Ruiz Introduces the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) introduced the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act, legislation to require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The legislation ensures health screenings and identifies and treats emergencies for individuals held in federal custody.

Last year marked the deadliest period in more than 20 years, with over 56 people dying in ICE and CBP custody combined. These deaths underscore the urgent need for clear, enforceable standards to protect human life when individuals are in the custody of ICE and CBP.

These preventable tragedies have occurred amid record levels of detention and mounting concerns about delayed medical care, overcrowding, and inhumane conditions within immigration facilities.

The bill establishes medically sound, enforceable requirements to protect the health, safety, and dignity of individuals detained by ICE and CBP, including children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities or acute medical needs.

"There is an alarming rise in deaths of people in ICE and CBP custody and reports of inhumane conditions inside detention centers. The violence and brutality against non-violent criminal immigrants is wrong. I introduced the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act to prevent deaths and protect human dignity," said Rep. Raul Ruiz.

The Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act requires:

• Mandatory initial health screenings
  • Conducted by licensed medical professionals within 12 hours of arrival
  • Within 6 hours for high-risk individuals (children, pregnant people, elderly, acute medical conditions)
• Screening for violent and sexual trauma to ensure safety inside facilities
• Continuity of prescribed medications
• Guaranteed access to basic necessities
  • Drinking water
  • Age-appropriate food to meet daily needs
  • Toilets, hand-washing stations, showers
  • Diapers and essential hygiene products
• Humane conditions for living
  • Sleep accommodations and blankets
  • Family unity protections
  • Disability accommodations
  • Access to outdoor time
  • Safeguards for vulnerable populations
• Access to trauma-informed care and support services
  • For individuals who have experienced violence, rape, sexual abuse, or severe trauma
• Interpreter services to ensure informed medical care
• Mandatory training for ICE and CBP personnel
  • Humanitarian standards
  • Identifying and responding to life-threatening medical emergencies
  • Trauma-informed care
  • Child welfare protections
• Oversight and accountability measures
  • Unannounced inspections by DHS Inspector General
  • GAO report to Congress
  • Public reporting of aggregate data on complaints of sexual abuse
• Clear implementation timelines
  • DHS must submit an implementation plan within 60 days
  • Full implementation within six months of enactment

The legislation has been supported by 69 Members of Congress: Reps. Wilson, Moulton, Elfreth, Matsui, Norton, Barragan, Simon, Sylvia Garcia, Watson Coleman, Garamendi, Ansari, Morrison, Craig, Thanedar, Tonko, CHC Chair Espaillat, DWS, Schrier, Tokuda, Krishnamoorthi, Hank Johnson, Grijalva, Deborah Ross, Correa, Jacobs, Bell, Neguse, Salinas, Min, Liccardo, Kamlager-Dove, Ro Khanna, Quigley, Soto, Bobby Scott, Mullin, Davis, Goodlander, Goldman, Robin Kelly, Kaptur, Hoyle, Garcia, Cleaver, Morelle, Walkinshaw, Mfume, McClain Delaney, Bonamici, Pettersen, Brown, Castor, Vargas, Levin, Gomez, Nydia Velázquez, McBride, Steve Cohen, Stephen Lynch, Nadler, Lieu, Tim Kennedy, Rick Larsen, Brownley, Titus, Veasey, DeGette, Cherfilus-McCormick, Ritchie Torres, Sewell, Pocan, Lofgren, Subramanyam, and Frankel.

The bill has been endorsed by: LULAC; United Farm Workers (UFW); College of the Desert; Michael VanRooyen, MD, MPH, Director: Harvard Humanitarian Initiative and MGB Chair of Emergency Medicine; the American Psychological Association Services, Inc.; and, Alianza Nacional De Campesinas, Inc.

"It is crucial for the wellbeing of the people in detention to receive attentive and continuous medical treatment and be provided with living conditions that are not detrimental to their health," said Mily Trevino-Sauceda, Executive Director of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas. "There is no justifiable reasoning for such punitive and inhumane treatment of detained persons, regardless of a person's status. Congress can not accept further suffering of both adults and children and needs to support changes to current ICE and CBP practices, which currently deprives thousands of basic human dignity." - Mily Trevino-Sauceda, Executive Director

"It is an important safeguard for the health of detainees and promotes basic standards for the health and well being of those in ICE and CBP custody. As an emergency physician and humanitarian leader, I endorse this approach to providing basic screening and protection to detainees. If I can be of further assistance in supporting the safe and humane treatment of those who are in ICE and CBP custody, I would be happy to speak to anyone." - Michael VanRooyen, MD, MPH, Director: Harvard Humanitarian Initiative and MGB Chair of Emergency Medicine