Thompson, Barragán, Grijalva, Castro Ask GAO to Review Reports of Border Patrol Not Returning Personal Property
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Committee on Homeland Security Chair Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Border Security, Facilitation, & Operations Subcommittee Chair Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), announced that they have sent a request to the Comptroller General asking the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) handling of personal property belonging to individuals in its custody.
According to a media report this week, there is a widespread problem of Border Patrol confiscating – and not returning – important personal documents from migrants, including passports and birth certificates. Other media outlets and other organizations have reported concerns about Border Patrol agents confiscating asylum seekers’ religious headwear as well as not returning or improperly discarding personal property belonging to apprehended individuals along the southwest border.
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Press Contact
Adam Comis (Homeland Security): 202-225-9978
Geneva Kropper (Castro): 202-760-0802
Jason Johnson (Grijalva): 202-580-5289
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