Upload
others
View
2
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 1 of 54 Page ID #:25897
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 2 of 54 Page ID #:25898
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 3 of 54 Page ID #:25899
Attachment
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 4 of 54 Page ID #:25900
IntheUnitedStatesDistrictCourt
CentralDistrictofCalifornia–WesternDivision
JENNYLISETTEFLORES,etal.,Plaintiffs,
v.
WILLIAMP.BARR,etc.,etal.,Defendants.
CaseNo.CV85‐4544‐DMG(AGRx)
Hon.DollyM.Gee,UnitedStatesDistrictJudge
FirstReportandRecommendation
OftheSpecialMaster/IndependentMonitor
AndreaSheridanOrdinSpecialMaster/IndependentMonitor
Strumwasser&WoocherLLP1094WilshireBoulevard,Suite2000
LosAngeles,California90024(310) 576‐1233
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 5 of 54 Page ID #:25901
TABLEOFCONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................1
2. RELEVANTDUTIESOFTHEMONITOR....................................................................3
3. FLORESSETTLEMENTAGREEMENT.........................................................................6
4. ACTIVITYOFMONITOROCTOBER15,2018–JANUARY31,2019..............9
5. DISCUSSIONOFCLAIMSOFBREACHES................................................................14
A. CBPFacilities.............................................................................................................14
i. Issues............................................................................................................................14
ii. Monitor’sInvestigation.....................................................................................14
iii. DeathsoftwominorsinDecember2018..................................................23
B. ICEFacilities..............................................................................................................30
i. Issues............................................................................................................................30
ii. Monitor’sInvestigation.....................................................................................31
C. ORRFacilities............................................................................................................36
i. Issues............................................................................................................................36
ii. Monitor’sInvestigation.....................................................................................37
6. DISCUSSIONOFWHETHERDEFENDANTS’RESPONSESTOPLAINTIFFS’
DECLARATIONSHAVEREBUTTEDPLAINTIFFS’EVIDENCE................................43
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 6 of 54 Page ID #:25902
Page1
1. INTRODUCTION
OnOctober5,2018,thisCourtappointedAndreaSheridanOrdinSpecial
Master/IndependentMonitor(“Monitor”)withherdutiestocommenceon
October17,2018.In2017,theCourthadpreviouslyappointedHenryA.
Moak,Jr.fromtheU.S.CustomsandBorderProtection(“CBP”)andDeane
DoughertyfromImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement(“ICE”)toservein
theroleofJuvenileCoordinatorfortheirrespectiveagencies.Basedinpart
uponcontinuingconflictinginformationfromtheParties,numerous
declarationsfromclassmembersandrelativesindicatingnon‐compliance
withtheCourt’sJune27,2017Order,andtheadditionalfindingthatthe
OfficeofRefugeeResettlement(“ORR”)hadalsobreachedtheFlores
SettlementAgreementinmultiplerespects,theCourtruled:
“BecauseofthecomplexityoftheFloresAgreement,theCourt’sfinding
ofnon‐compliance,andongoingdisputesbetweenthePartiesrelating
totheimplementationoftheFloresAgreement,theCourtfindsthatthe
appointmentofaSpecialMasterandIndependentMonitoris
warranted.”
AttheStatusConferenceonOctober15,2018designedtointroducethe
PartiesandtheMonitor,theCourtexpressedappreciationforthe
contributionsoftheJuvenileCoordinatorsandtheircontinuedparticipation,
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 7 of 54 Page ID #:25903
Page2
andthenleftthebenchtoallowCounselfortheParties,theJuvenile
Coordinators,andtheMonitortodiscussamongthemselvestheirrespective
approachesinthecomingyearinordertocomplywiththeJudge’sOrders.
The2017Orderalonecitesmorethan15categoriesofbreachesprimarily
directedtofacilitieswithinthejurisdictionofCBPandICE.The2018Order
focusesonbreachesinthreegeneralcategoriesinfacilitiesprimarilyunder
thejurisdictionofORR:(1)placingclassmembersinresidentialtreatment
centers,staff‐securefacilities,andsecurefacilities;(2)administering
psychotropicdrugstoclassmemberswithoutacourtorderortheinformed
consentofanauthorizedpersonunderstatelawfocusingspecificallyonthe
ResidentialTreatmentCenterknownasShiloh;and(3)unnecessarily
prolongingclassmembers’detentioninORRfacilities.
ThisfirstReportprincipallydescribestheissuesbeingaddressed,thetoursof
facilitiesintendedtofamiliarizetheMonitorwithconditionsintheRio
GrandeValley(“RGV")sector,andtheMonitor’spreliminaryobservations
whiletouringthefacilitiesandquestioningstaffanddetainedminors.Inthe
secondReportandRecommendations,theMonitorexpectstoanalyzethe
governmentinternaldatadocumentingcomplianceornon‐compliancewith
theCourt’sorders.SubsequentReportsalsowilldetailresultsofinterviews
withclassmembers,governmentstaffandexperts.InthesubsequentReports
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 8 of 54 Page ID #:25904
Page3
andRecommendations,theMonitorexpectstobeabletodrawdefinitive
conclusionsandtoofferconcreterecommendations.
2. RELEVANTDUTIESOFTHEMONITOR
TheentiretyoftheOrderplacessignificantresponsibilitiesontheMonitor,
includingbutnotlimitedto:
MonitorcompliancewiththeCourt’sJune27,2017andJuly30,2018
Orders,andotherCourtordersissuedduringtheTerm(“theCourt’s
Orders”);
MeetwiththePartiesandtheircounselandreceiveand/orhear
evidenceandlegalargumentsonissuespertainingtocompliancewith
theCourt’sOrders;
MakefindingsoffactandprepareformalReportsand
RecommendationstotheCourtregardingachievementofthegoalsof
monitoringandsubstantialcompliancewiththeCourt’sOrders;
Conductsuchinvestigation,interviews,andsitevisitsasarenecessary
toachievethegoalsofmonitoringoraidinthepreparationofReports
andRecommendations;
DirectthePartiestoproducesuchinformationordocumentsasthe
Monitordeemsrelevanttoachievethegoalsofmonitoringorto
prepareReportsandRecommendations;
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 9 of 54 Page ID #:25905
Page4
ResolvesuchdisputesasmayarisebetweenthePartiesregardingthe
implementationoftheCourt’sOrders,includingthisOrder;
Presideoverandfacilitatemediationsand/orsettlementnegotiations
betweenthePartiesastoanyissuespertainingtotheimplementation
oftheCourt’sOrders;and
AdviseandupdatetheCourtonthestatusofDefendants’compliance
withtheCourt’sOrders.
InadditiontotheCourt’sbroadgeneralinstructionsabove,ParagraphD(1)
(a)containsaspecificrequirementtoevaluatethecompetingevidentiary
claimsofthePartiesintheiropposingpapersprecedingappointmentofthe
Monitor.Thatevaluationissetoutbeginningatpage40.
TheCourtfurthercontemplatedthatduringthecourseoftheMonitor’swork,
additional,unenumeratedmattersmightarise.TheCourtspecifically
instructedthat:“Duringthecourseofhermonitoringduties,iftheMonitor
discoverspotentialbreachesoftheFloresAgreementthatarebeyondthe
scopeoftheJune27,2017,July27,2018,orJuly30,2018Orders,sheshall
bringthemtotheCourt’sandtheParties’attention.”
Twosuchunenumerateditemsaroseinthecourseofthecurrentperiod:
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 10 of 54 Page ID #:25906
Page5
TheTornillotemporaryemergencyfacilityforunaccompaniedalien
children(“UAC”)wasreportedinnationalandlocalmediatohave
violatedtheFloresordersinseveralaspects.Announcementsofclosure
ofTornillo,andtheeventualclosure,ledtotheMonitorcancellinga
plannedvisittothatfacility,andnoremedialmeasureswillnowbe
recommendedspecificallyforthatfacility.Evidenceofpastpractices
andeventsatTornillowill,ofcourse,befullytakenintoaccountas
relevant.
InDecember,twochildrendiedinCBPcustody,againraisingconcerns
aboutpossibleviolationsoftheFloresAgreement.Ascontemplatedin
theCourt’sorders,theMonitorisbringingtotheattentionoftheCourt
andthePartiesthepublicly‐availablefactsandpendingactionsbyCBP
inregardtothetwodeaths.
TheOrdercontemplatesregularReportsandRecommendationstotheCourt,
withthefirstReportdueindrafttothePartiesonemonthbeforetheFinal
ReportisfiledwiththeCourt.ByagreementamongtheParties,Court,and
Monitor,thefirstReportisduetotheCourtonMarch6,2019.
AsalsocontemplatedbytheOrder,theMonitorreceiveddetailedwritten
commentsduringtheweekofFebruary18,2019,fromcounselforthe
Plaintiffs,counselforDefendants,CPB,ICEandORR,aswellastheJuvenile
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 11 of 54 Page ID #:25907
Page6
Coordinators1forCPBandICE.Thecommentsreceivedwerehelpfuland
manyofsuggestionshavebeenincorporatedoraddressedinthisFirst
Report.
3. FLORESSETTLEMENTAGREEMENT
TheCourtandthePartiesarewellawareoftheprovisionsoftheAgreement.
TheSettlementAgreementinFloresv.Reno,CV85‐4544‐RJK(Px),wasfiledin
l997afterthelitigationhadbeenpendingfornineyearsandhadbeenheard
bytheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt.SeeRenov.Flores(1993)507U.S.292,
113S.Ct.1439,123L.Ed.2d1.TheSettlementAgreementis23pages,and
attachesExhibits,includingInstructionstoServicesOfficersre:Processing,
TreatmentandPlacementofMinors.Theseprovisionsinthiscontract
betweentheINSandclassmembershaveresultedinscoresoflegaldisputes
andthefilingoftensofthousandsofpagesinmultiplefederalcases.Thecore
provisions,whichovertheyearshavebeenincorporatedinoneformor
anotherinpolicymemorandafirstbythethenImmigrationand
NaturalizationService,andnowbytheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity
1DuringtheperiodofthisReport,anewJuvenileCoordinatorhasbeenappointedforORRandtheMonitorwillbeconductingjointtoursandinterviewswiththeJuvenileCoordinatorinMarch,atHomestead,Florida.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 12 of 54 Page ID #:25908
Page7
(“DHS”)andDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices(“HHS”)2,Officeof
RefugeeResettlement,include:
TheINSshallplaceeachdetainedminorintheleastrestrictivesetting
appropriatetotheminor’sageandspecialneeds,providedthatsuch
settingisconsistentwithitsinteresttoensuretheminor’stimely
appearancebeforetheINSandtheimmigrationcourtsandtoprotect
theminor’swell‐beingandthatofothers.
WhenevertheINStakesaminorintocustody,itshallexpeditiously
processtheminorandshallholdminorsinfacilitiesthataresafeand
sanitaryandthatareconsistentwiththeINS’sconcernforthe
particularvulnerabilityofminors.Facilitieswillprovideaccessto
toiletsandsinks,drinkingwaterandfoodasappropriate,medical
assistanceiftheminorisinneedofemergencyservices,adequate
temperaturecontrolandventilation,adequatesupervisiontoprotect
minorsfromothers,andcontactwithfamilymemberswhowere
arrestedwiththeminor.Intheeventofanemergencyorinfluxof
2ResponsibilitiesoftheformerImmigrationandNaturalizationServiceweretransitionedtoDHSandHHSbytheHomelandSecurityActof2002,Pub.L.107–296,116Stat.2135.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 13 of 54 Page ID #:25909
Page8
minorsintotheUnitedStates,theINSshallplaceallminorspursuantto
Paragraph19asexpeditiouslyaspossible.
TheINSshallplaceeachdetainedminorintheleastrestrictivesetting
appropriatetotheminor’sageandspecialneeds.NothingrequiresINS
toreleaseaminortoanypersonoragencywhomtheINShasreasonto
believemayharmorneglecttheminororfailtopresenthimorher
beforetheINSortheimmigrationcourtswhenrequestedtodoso.See
8USC§1232(c)(3)(A).
WheretheINSdeterminesthatthedetentionoftheminorisnot
requiredeithertosecurehisorhertimelyappearancebeforetheINS
ortheimmigrationcourt,ortoensuretheminor’ssafety3orthatof
others,theINSshallreleaseaminorfromitscustodywithout
unnecessarydelay,inthefollowingorderofpreference,to:
o Aparent;
o Alegalguardian;
o Anadultrelative(brother,sister,aunt,uncle,orgrandparent);
anadultindividualorentitydesignatedbytheparentorlegal
3See¶17,whichoutlinesthepossibilityofperformingasuitabilityassessment,includingthewishesandconcernsoftheminor.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 14 of 54 Page ID #:25910
Page9
guardianascapableandwillingtocarefortheminor'swell‐
beingin(i)adeclarationsignedunderpenaltyofperjurybefore
animmigrationorconsularofficeror(ii)suchother
document(s)thatestablish(es)tothesatisfactionoftheINS,in
itsdiscretion,theaffiant'spaternityorguardianship;
o Alicensedprogramwillingtoacceptlegalcustody;or
o Anadultindividualorentityseekingcustody,inthediscretionof
theINS,whenitappearsthatthereisnootherlikelyalternative
tolongtermdetentionandfamilyreunificationdoesnotappear
tobeareasonablepossibility.
4. ACTIVITYOFMONITOROCTOBER15,2018–JANUARY31,
2019
AftertheOctober17,2018,effectivedateofappointment,theMonitor
focusedinitiallyoninvestigatingandmediatingdisputesrelatingto
Defendants’complianceornon‐compliancewiththeJune27,2017OrderRe
Plaintiffs’MotiontoEnforceandAppointaSpecialMonitor[Doc.#363]and
July30,2018OrderrePlaintiffs’MotiontoEnforceClassActionSettlement
[Doc.#470].
Inordertounderstandmorefullythecontextofmanydisputescontinuing
overenforcementoftheprovisionsofthetworeferencedOrdersandthe
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 15 of 54 Page ID #:25911
Page10
FloresAgreement,theMonitorundertookavarietyofvisitstofacilitiesunder
thejurisdictionofCBPintheRioGrandeValley.TheMonitoralsovisited
certainORRandICEfacilitiesinTexasoutsideoftheRioGrandeValley.
October30,2018:TourwithcounselforthePartiesandpresentations
byCBPpersonnelatMcAllenBorderPatrolStationandProcessing
Center(“CPCUrsula”),conversationswithConsulateofGuatemala
representativeson‐site,andobservationofCBPenforcementactivities
attheborder.TheMonitor,withlawyersforPlaintiffsandDefendants,
accompaniedCBPofficersonpatrol,andaccompaniedtheofficersas
theyapprehendedfamilyunitswhopresentedthemselvesattheUnited
States‐MexicoBorder.
November26,27,28,2018:Toursandinterviewswithcounselforthe
PartiesatICEKarnesCountyFamilyResidentialCenter,locatedin
KarnesCounty,Texas,andSouthTexasFamilyResidentialCenter,
locatedinDilley,Texas.
December4,2018:FirstTourandinterviewsatShilohResidential
TreatmentCenterinManvel,Texas,withcounselforthePartiesand
Plaintiffs’expertpsychiatrist,Dr.AmyCohen.
December5,2018:TourofCatholicCharitiesHoustonShelterand
SouthwestKeyCasaMontezuma.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 16 of 54 Page ID #:25912
Page11
January14,15,2019:SecondTourofShiloh,tomoderatemediation
meetingamongDrs.LuisValdes,JavierRuiz,andAmyCohen,and
interviewsandreviewofpatientfiles.
January21,22,2019:UnannouncedinspectionoftheMcAllenBorder
PatrolStationandCPCUrsulawithBorderPatrolJuvenileCoordinator
HenryA.Moak,Jr.andhisteam.
Inaddition,theMonitorreviewedCBP,ICE,andORRdatadocumentingtheir
managementofthevariousfacilities,including:
McAllenBorderPatrolStation,CPCUrsula,patrollocationsfor
apprehensionofimmigrantaliens
ShilohResidentialTreatmentCenter
SheltersinHouston,includingCatholicCharitiesHoustonShelter,
SouthwestKeyCasaMontezuma
ResidentialFamilyCenter,Dilley
ResidentialFamilyCenter,Karnes
InconnectionwithherreviewofCBPdata,theMonitormetwitha
representativeofCBPforaday‐longreviewofthepracticesandprocedures
foracquisition,management,andreportingofthedatamaintainedinthe
e3DMsystemmaintainedbyCBPtotrackdetainees.Separately,theMonitor
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 17 of 54 Page ID #:25913
Page12
reviewedmaterialsregardingthedataportalemployedbyORRandobserved
itsusagebyORRpersonnel.
TheMonitoralsoreviewedmultiplelettersfromPlaintiffs’counseladdressing
allegedpotentialbreachesandnewissuesandreviewedDefendants’
counsel’sresponses.Specifically,theMonitorhasreviewedPlaintiffs’
January7,2019,letteroutliningcategoriesofdocumentsdeemedessentialto
determiningcompliance.TheMonitorhasreceivedmultipleCBP,ICE,and
ORRdocumentsrequiredbytheOrderAppointingtheMonitorandwill
provideanalysisofthosedocumentsanddocumentstobereceivedinfuture
reports.
TheMonitorcontinuedherresearch,whichincluded:
Morethan200declarationsfiledbythePartiesin2017and
2018.
Literatureonmedicaltreatmentofminors,includingliterature
providedbytheAmericanAcademyofPediatrics.
Texaslawandregulationsrelatingtochildreninconfinement,
andrequirementsforadministeringmedicaltreatmentand
medication.
RelevantfederaldistrictcourtandNinthCircuitcasesrelatedto
thedetentionofUAC’sandfamilyunits.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 18 of 54 Page ID #:25914
Page13
OfficeofRefugeeResettlementPolicies:ChildrenEnteringthe
UnitedStatesUnaccompanied.
ConditionsatTornillo.
GiventhescopeoftheMonitor’sresponsibilitiesovertheyearof
monitoring,therearesignificantpowersanddutiesthattheMonitor
hasnotyetaddressedorexercised.WiththeexceptionoftheMonitor’s
involvementinmediatingthecriticaldisagreementsoverthe
prescribingofpsychotropicdrugsatShiloh,theMonitorhasnotyet
metwiththePartiesandtheircounseltoreceiveand/orhearevidence
andlegalargumentsonissuespertainingtocompliancewiththe
Court’sorders.
ItistheMonitor’shopethatastheMonitordevelopssufficientdataand
otherfirsthandaccountsfromdetaineesandothersrelatedto
compliance,thePartieswillbeabletoeffectivelyutilizetheDispute
ResolutionprocesscontemplatedbytheOrderAppointingtheMonitor.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 19 of 54 Page ID #:25915
Page14
5. DISCUSSIONOFCLAIMSOFBREACHES
A. CBPFacilities
i. Issues
RelyingontheCourt’sJune27,2017OrderRePlaintiffs’MotiontoEnforce
andAppointaSpecialMonitor[Doc.#363],theMonitorfocusedfirstonfour
categoriesofallegationswithrespecttoCBP:accesstofood,safeandsanitary
conditions,ambienttemperature(coldtemperatures),andsleeping
conditions.TheMonitordidnotfocus,forthisReport,onadvisalofrights
whenminorwasinCBPcustody.
ii. Monitor’sInvestigation
(1) FirstSiteVisittoMcAllenBorderPatrolStation
OnOctober31,2018,theMonitor,accompaniedbycounselforPlaintiffsand
Defendants,andtheCBPJuvenileMonitor,touredboththeMcAllenBorder
PatrolStation(“MCS”)andCPCUrsuladuringthemorning.TheMCSwas
observedtobeseverelyovercrowded.
TheRGVSectorDetentionDashboardisaninternalreportcreatedfor
leadership,whichdocumentsthenumbersofadultandjuveniledetaineesin
eachofthefacilitiesonadailybasis.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 20 of 54 Page ID #:25916
RedactedPursuanttoProtectiveOrder Page15
CensusforMCS
TheMonitorreviewedtheDashboardforOctober31,2018,thedayofthe
tour.TheDashboardreflectsthattherewere302juvenilesincustodyyetto
beprocessedincellsand346adultsincustody,foratotalof648juveniles
andadultsinMCS.ThedesigncapacityforthetotalcellsinMCSis320,and
thelargestindividualcellcapacityis46.Oneofthecellswasobservedtohave
approximately60mothersandchildren.
TheDashboarddocumentsanaveragetimeincustodyforthatdayas16
hours,butdoesnotdifferentiatebetweenadultandjuveniledetentiontimes
inthefacility.TheDashboarddoesreporthowmanydetainees(again
withoutdifferentiationofjuveniles)werekeptatthefacilitymorethan72
hours.Nonewerereported.
TheMonitoralsoreviewedtheDashboardforMCSforOctober30,2018,
whichdocumentedatotalof496detainees,including240juveniles,andthe
DashboardforNovember1,2018,whichdocumented605detainees,
including220juveniles.TheaveragereportedtimeincustodyforOctober30,
2018was13hoursandtheaveragereportedtimeincustodyforNovember1,
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 21 of 54 Page ID #:25917
Page16
2018was20hours.TheDashboardreportsthatonedetaineewasincustody
formorethan20hoursonOctober30,2018,andnoneonNovember1,2018.4
Safe,SanitaryConditions,AccesstoFood
Thecells,eachboundedbyconcretewalls,wereoriginallyconstructedfor
adultmaledetaineesandcontainnofurnishingsexceptforbenchestositon.
Eachcellhasoneormoretoilets,atleastonesink,andaccesstowater.The
Monitordidnotwalkintothecells,butobservedthatduetothecrowded
conditions,thecellsdidnotprovideadequateprivacyforpersonalhygieneor
useoftoilets.
TheMonitorobservedthedistributionofsnacksandprovisionofwater.At
thisinitialtour,nomeasurementwasmadeofambienttemperatureinthe
cells,buttheMonitordidobservethatthecommonareaswerecoldandthat
theminorsindetentioncellsappearedtobeuncomfortablycoldandwrapped
themselvesinsinglemylarblanketswhilesitting,standing,orlyingonthe
concretefloor.Duringthislimitedtour,floorsandwallsappearedtobeclean
andswept.TheMonitorobservedthatmanyminorswerelyingonthefloor
4TheMonitorhasnotedthatthee3DMDashboardprintoutsthathavethusfarbeenprovided(andotherreportsprovidedbyORRandICE)usuallyshowmeans(averagedays),occasionallymedians(50thpercentile),andoccasionallyareportofmoreextremevalues.Thedataprovidedareusefulbutnotfullysufficientforthepresentpurposes,andtheMonitorwillbeaddressingadditionaldatarequirementsforfuturereports.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 22 of 54 Page ID #:25918
RedactedPursuanttoProtectiveOrder Page17
wrappedinthemylarblanketsandappearedtobesleepingatmid‐day.There
arenofloormatsprovidedforsleepingatthisfacility.
(2) FirstsitevisittoRioGrandeValleyCentralizedProcessing
Center
TheCPCUrsulaisdesignedtoaccommodatelargenumbersofadultsand
minors,bothaccompaniedandunaccompanied.ThedesigncapacityforCPC
Ursula,builtin2014,is1,203individuals.Thelargeopenspaceisdividedinto
podssurroundedbychainlinkfencesonallfoursides.
TheMonitorobservedCPCUrsulainthemorningandreturnedintheevening
ofOctober31,2018.Inthemorning,CPCUrsulaappearedovercrowded,but
returningintheevening,theMonitorobservedthatthenumbersofjuveniles
haddecreaseddramatically.TheDashboardforOctober31documentsatotal
of1,311detainees,including369juveniles.Theaveragetimeincustody(not
differentiatedbetweenadultsandjuveniles)was71hours,and544detainees
wereincustodyformorethan72hours,767wereincustodyforlessthan72
hours.
TheCPCUrsulafeltwarmerthanMCSinthemorningbutappearedstilltobe
uncomfortableforthedetainees.Intheevening,theMonitorintervieweda
groupofjuvenilegirlswhowereawaitingtransfertoORR.Someofthegirls
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 23 of 54 Page ID #:25919
Page18
saidthattheywerecold,butonegirlsaidshewaslessuncomfortablethan
shehadbeenatMCS.
TheMonitorobservedthateveningapproximately50minorsstandinginline
forcrackersandanappleaftertheeveningmeal.TheMonitorspoketoa
groupofjuvenileboys,whowerealsoawaitingtransfertoORR.Whenasked
abouttheirpreviousmeal,twoexpressedappreciationandthreeothers
respondedthattheywerestillhungry.Theywereremindedbyoneofthe
touringofficialsthattheycouldhavesnacks,andoneoftheboyssaidhewas
awareofthat.EachboywasaskedhowlonghehadbeeninCPCUrsula.Most
saidonetotwodays,butoneboysaidhehadbeenthereforatleastaweek.
(3) SecondSiteVisittoMcAllenBorderPatrolStationandCPC
Ursula5
OnJanuary21,2019,theMonitor,accompaniedbytheCBPJuvenile
Coordinator,madeanunannouncedeveningvisittoMCS.Juvenile
CoordinatorMoakwasaccompaniedbyateamofthreecontractorswho
assistedhimwithinspectingtheamenitiesandcompliance.Arrivingatthe
facilityatapproximately8:30P.M.,thegroupwasleftstandingoutsidefor5TheMonitornotesthatthisvisittookplaceduringtheDecember22,2018‐January25,2019governmentshutdown.Weweretoldthatsupervisingpersonnelhadbeenrequiredtopurchasefoodandothernecessitiesforthedetaineesintheabsenceofpersonnelandcontractorswhohadbeenfurloughed.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 24 of 54 Page ID #:25920
Page19
morethan15minuteswhilethepersonnelinsideverifiedthegroup’s
identity.Listedbelowaresomeoftheimpressionsanddatacollectedbyboth
theMonitorandtheJuvenileCoordinator’steamonboththeeveningof
January21,2019,atMCSandmid‐morningandafternoonofJanuary22,
2019,atCBPUrsula.
Temperaturesofareasonablycomfortablerange
ThelowtemperaturewasstillthemostconsistentcomplaintatMCS.CBP
policyspecifiesanacceptabletemperaturerangeof66to80degrees
Fahrenheit.TheJuvenileCoordinatorusedon‐sitemeasuringequipmentand
gotreadingsinthesixcellscontainingjuvenilesof64.7to69.8degrees;the
roomwiththe64.7readingwastheonlyonebelowthe66‐degreeminimum
oftheCBPstandards.TotheMonitor,wearingaturtlenecktop,jacket,and
slacks,thetemperaturewasbelowacomfortablelevel,althoughwithinthe
66‐80minimumandmaximumofCBPstandards.
SafeandSanitataryConditions
AllcellsatMcAllenBorderStationhadfunctioningtoilets.Fiveofthesixsinks
werefunctioningwell,andonewasfunctioningpoorly.Allsinkswerewithout
soap.Allcellswereobservedtobecleanandpest‐free.Cupswereavailable
fordrinking.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 25 of 54 Page ID #:25921
Page20
Accesstofood
OnJanuary22,2019,theMonitorandtheJuvenileCoordinatorarrivedatCPC
Ursulaandobserveddeliveryanddistributionoffood,whichispreparedoff‐
sitebycontractors.Amealistypicallyaburritowithafruitorabologna
sandwichwithjuice.Theminorsareaskedtoexitcells,andlineupoutside
thecelltoreceivefoodandtobecountedforattendance.Thefoodappeared
tobethesameamountandvarietyforadultsandboysandgirls.Forthenext
Report,theMonitorwillreportmorefullyontheadequacyandaccesstofood.
TheMonitoralsoexaminedthefoodintherefrigeratoratCPCUrsula,which
appearedtobefullystockedandorganizedbydatetofacilitatedistribution
beforeexpiration.
AlsoonJanuary22,2019,theMonitorobservedtheJuvenileCoordinatorand
histeamconductinginterviewswithtwomotherswiththeirminorchildren
atCPCUrsulaandagroupofunaccompaniedjuvenilemales.Theinterviews
coveredtheFloresstandardsindetail,anddetailednotesoftheteamwillbe
includedinfullintheJuvenileCoordinator’sreport.TheICETransport
Programmanagerwasonsiteandassistedwithtranslationoftheinterviews.
TheMonitorelicitedcommentsonvariousissues.Onemotherstatedthather
childrenhadbeenofferedthreemealsadayandsnacks,butoneofher
childrenwillnoteatthefoodandspitsupthemilk.Twounaccompaniedmale
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 26 of 54 Page ID #:25922
Page21
juvenileswhowereinterviewedcomplainedabouttheburritosforbreakfast
andsaidthattheywerestillhungry.TheMonitorexplainedthatsnackswere
available,whichtheyacknowledged.
Hygiene
Insummary,exceptforoneadult,theintervieweesatCPCUrsulaallrelated
thattheyhadshoweredandwerewearingeithertheirowncleanclothesor
cleanclothestheyhadbeengiven.
SleepingConditions
AllintervieweeshadreceivedamatandmylarblanketuponarrivalatCPC
Ursula.ThelightsareonatCPCUrsulaall24hours,butthemothers
interviewedsaidtheirchildrenwereabletosleepduringthenighthoursat
CPCUrsula.Inaseparateinterview,anolderunaccompaniedjuvenilemale
saidhehadnotsleptmuchsincehisarrival.Whenaskedabouttheofficers
checkingontheirwell‐being,oneofthejuvenilemalessaidthathewaskicked
inthelegbysomeonehecalled“anofficer”towakehimup.TheJuvenile
CoordinatorreportedtheallegationtoasupervisingBorderPatrolofficer.
AccesstoMedicalTreatment
TheMonitormetonJanuary21,2019,withmedicalpersonnelwhowereon
dutyatMCSandreviewedthecurrentpolicyformedicalassessmentand
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 27 of 54 Page ID #:25923
Page22
treatmentoftheminors.ThemedicalpersonnelincludedanEMTanda
nursingstaffmember.Suchpersonnelareonduty24hours,sevendaysa
week.Allminorshaveaninitialscreeningwhentheyfirstarriveatthe
station.Thenursepractitionerexplainedthenewpolicy,issuedby
CommissionerKevinMcAleenaninDecember2018,whichrequiresasecond
medicalassessmentwhentheminorsarriveatCPCUrsula.Thenurse
practitioneralsoexplainedtheuseandavailabilityofnearbyhospitalsand
urgentcareclinics.TheMonitoralsoreviewedwiththestafftheprescription
policy.OnJanuary22,2019,theJuvenileCoordinatorandtheMonitor
observedtheofficeoftheCPCUrsulamedicalpersonnelwhowereseeing
detainees,butdidnotthenconductinterviews.
CensusforMCS
TheDashboardforMCSindicates294detaineesincustody,including74
juveniles,onJanuary21,2019.OnJanuary22,theDashboardindicates225
detaineesincustody,including32juveniles.Theaveragetimeincustodywas
24hoursonJanuary21and32hoursonJanuary22.
CensusforCPCUrsula
TheDashboardforCPCUrsulaforJanuary22,2019,indicatesatotalof1,569
detainees,including655juveniles.Theaveragetimeincustodyforall
detaineeswas65hours.TheDashboardalsoindicatesthat847detainees
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 28 of 54 Page ID #:25924
Page23
wereincustodylessthan72hours,and722detaineeswereincustodymore
than72hours.
iii. DeathsoftwominorsinDecember2018
UponreceiptofthepressreportsoftheDecember2018deathsoftwominors
inCBPcustody,theMonitorcollectedthepubliclyavailableinformationfrom
CBP,whichisrelatedbelow.TheMonitorisadvisedthattheDepartmentof
HomelandSecurity,OfficeoftheInspectorGeneral(“DHS016”)openedan
investigationonDecember24,2018.Asnotedonpage22,theMonitorisalso
advisedthattheCommissionerofCBPhasrevisedmedicalscreening
proceduresinordertoaddasecondmedicalassessmentofeacharriving
minor.
TheMonitorwillawaitfurtherinstructionsfromtheCourt,ifany,beforeany
additionalinquiriesaremade.
(1) JakelinCaalMaquin
InformationmadeavailablebyCBP:
OnDecember6,2018at9:15P.M.,aseven‐year‐oldfemalechildfrom
Guatemalawasapprehendedwithherfatherapproximatelyahalfmile
westoftheAntelopeWellsPortofEntryattheBoundsForward
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 29 of 54 Page ID #:25925
Page24
OperatingBase(“BoundsFOB”).TherewerefourBorderPatrolAgents
onsceneatthetime.
Uponapprehension,theBorderPatrolAgentconductedaninitial
screening,whichconsistsofaninterviewandobservationofthe
detaineetoidentifyanyhealthorsafetyproblemstoensurethatthey
receivenecessarymedicalcare.Theinitialscreeningrevealedno
evidenceofhealthissues.
SheandherfatherwereheldinsidetheSallyPortoftheAntelopeWells
PortofEntryandhadaccesstofood,waterandrestrooms,while
waitingfortransport.
At10:00P.M.,anMCITransportBuslefttheLordsburgBorderPatrol
StationroutetotheBoundsFOB.LordsburgBorderPatrolStationis
approximately94milesawayfromtheFOBBounds,andthetriptakes
betweentwotothreehours.
Around12:20AMonDecember7,theMCITransportBustransported
thefirstgroupofUACtotheLordsburgBorderPatrolStation.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 30 of 54 Page ID #:25926
Page25
TheMCITransportBusreturnedat4:00AMtotheBoundsFOB.At
4:30AM,thesecondgroup,includingthechildandherfatherwas
loadedontotheMCITransportBus.Justpriortodeparture,at5:00AM,
thefatheradvisedtheagentthatthechildwassickandvomitingwhile
onthebus.
Atthistime,theAgentsnotifiedtheLordsburgBorderPatrolStationto
preparetoreceivethechildandprovideemergencymedicalcare.
Shortlybefore6:30AM,thebusarrivedattheSallyPortofthe
LordsburgBorderPatrolStationandthefatheradvisedthatthechild
wasnotbreathing.ABorderPatrolEmergencyMedicalTechnician
begantoprovidemedicalcareandrevivedthechildtwice.Itwas
determinedatthistimethatshehadatemperatureof105.7degrees.
HidalgoCountyEMSarrivedandbeganprovidingcareat6:40AM.A
decisionwasmadetotransporttothenearesttraumacenter,
ProvidenceChildren’sHospitalinElPaso,Texas.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 31 of 54 Page ID #:25927
Page26
AirAmbulancedepartedLOBwiththechildat7:45AM,shearrivedat
theProvidenceChildren’sHospitalinElPasoat8:50AMandreceived
additionalemergencymedicalcare.
HerfatherwastransportedbyCBPviaagovernmentvehicletothe
hospital.
At11:00AMonDecember7,LOBwasnotifiedthejuvenilewentinto
cardiacarrestagainandwassubsequentlyrevived.Shewasbreathing
bymachineanddiagnosedwithliverfailure.
Shediedat12:35AMonDecember8.
(2) FelipeAlonzo‐Gomez
InformationmadeavailablebyCBP(timesindicatedtobelocal,Mountain
StandardTime):
OnDecember18,atapproximately1300hours,eightyear‐oldFelipe
Alonzo‐Gomezwasapprehendedwithhisfatherat3.29mileswestof
thePasoDelNortePortofEntryinElPaso,Texas.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 32 of 54 Page ID #:25928
Page27
OnDecember18,atapproximately1639hours,thefatherandchild
weretransferredtothePDTprocessingcenter.
WhiledetainedatPDT,thechildandhisfatherwereprovidedhotfood,
snacks,juice,andwater,andtheagentsloggedsixwelfarechecks.
OnDecember20,at1200hours,thechildandhisfatherwere
transferredtoElPasoBorderPatrolStation(“EPS”).
FromDecember20toDecember22,thechildandhisfatherwere
providedwithshowers,food,juice,andwater,andtheagentslogged17
welfarechecks.
OnDecember22,atapproximately2317hours,U.S.BorderPatrol
transferredthechildandfathertotheAlamogordoBorderPatrol
Station(“ALA”)tofinalizeprocessing.Thechildandhisfatherwere
transferredbecauseofcapacitylevelsattheElPasoStation.
OnDecember23,atapproximately0108hours,thechildandhisfather
arrivedattheAlamogordoStation.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 33 of 54 Page ID #:25929
Page28
o Uponarrival,thechildandhisfatherwereprovidedwith
personalhygieneproductsandmeals,andtheyreceivedseveral
welfarechecks.
OnDecember24,atabout0539hours,aplacementrequestforthe
childandhisfatherwase‐mailedtoICE’sEnforcementandRemoval
Operations’sfamilyplacementinbox.
OnDecember24,atapproximately0900hours,aprocessingagent
noticedthatthechildwascoughingandappearedtohaveglossyeyes.
OnDecember24,atapproximately0930hours,basedontheagents’
observations,thechildandhisfatherweretransferredtoGCRMCwith
possibleinfluenzasymptoms.
OnDecember24,atabout1130hours,hospitalstaffconductedseveral
testsonthechildforstrepthroat.
OnDecember24,atabout1320hours,thechildwasevaluatedfor
releaseandfoundtohavea103degreefeverandwasheldfor
continuedobservation.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 34 of 54 Page ID #:25930
Page29
OnDecember24,atabout1450hours,thechildwasreleasedfromthe
ERwithaprescriptionforamoxicillinandibuprofen.
Thechildandhisfatherweretransportedtotemporaryholdingatthe
Highway70checkpoint.Whileatthecheckpoint,thechildandhis
fatherwereofferedandacceptedahotmeal.
Atabout1700,agentsprovidedthechildwithadoseoftheprescribed
medicationasorderedbythemedicalstaffandagentsconducted
severalwelfarechecksthatevening.
OnDecember24at1900hours,thechildappearedtobenauseousand
vomited.Agentswereawareofthisandhelpedcleanupthevomit.
o Hisfatherdeclinedfurthermedicalassistanceasthechildhad
beenfeelingbetter.
OnDecember24,atabout2200hours,thechildappearedlethargicand
nauseousagain.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 35 of 54 Page ID #:25931
Page30
o AsnoEMTwason‐duty,agentsmadethedecisiontoreturnthe
childandhisfathertothehospital.Duringtransportationtothe
hospitaltheboybegantovomitandhelostconsciousness.
At2307hours,radiotrafficindicatedthattheagenthadarrivedatthe
hospitalwherehewasmetbyhospitalstaff.
o Thestaffwereunabletorevivethechildandpronouncedhim
deceasedat2348hoursonDecember24,2018.
TheGuatemalaConsulatewascontactedat0740hoursonDecember
25,2018.ThefatheriscurrentlydetainedattheAlamogordoStation
pendingtransfertoICEEnforcementandRemovalOperations(“ERO”).
HehasspokentohisspouseinGuatemalaandtheGuatemala
Consulate.
B. ICEFacilities
i. Issues
PursuanttotheCourt’sJune27,2017OrderRePlaintiffs’MotiontoEnforce
andAppointaSpecialMonitor[Doc.#363],theMonitorisfocusingontwo
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 36 of 54 Page ID #:25932
Page31
categoriesofallegationswithrespecttoICE:secure,unlicensedfacilitiesand
releasingminorswithoutunnecessarydelayorwithin20daysofdetention.
Withrespecttounnecessarydelay/20‐daysrequirement,theICEJuvenile
CoordinatorhasprovidedtheMonitorwithhelpfulmaterialfromtheERO
CustodyManagementDivisionEnforcementIntegratedDatabase(“EID”).
AlthoughtheMonitorhasnotyetpersonallyreviewedthefilesofminorswho
haveexperienceddelayinexcessof20days,theCoordinatoradvisesthat
commonreasonsthatunaccompaniedchildrenremainincustodyover20
daysarethefollowing:
Parentsnotclaimingfearofreturntotheircountryofcitizenshipwhen
apprehendedbutsubsequentlyassertingtheclaim;
Sponsordelayinprovidingatransportationplantotransfertheminor
tothesponsor;or
DelaysinICEreceivingfromtheU.S.CitizenshipandImmigration
Services(“CIS”)thedeterminationontheclaimedfearofreturn.
ii. Monitor’sInvestigation
(1) SouthTexasFamilyResidentialCenter(Dilley)
ThelargeDilleyfacilitywasconstructedin2015forfamiliesdetainedbyICE
andismaintainedbyCoreCivicbycontract.Itconsistsofalmost55acresof
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 37 of 54 Page ID #:25933
Page32
groundsandwasdesignedtoaccommodateupto2,400people.Thefacilityis
stillnotofficiallylicensedbytheStateofTexas,butitisstillsubjectto
unannouncedinspectionsandstandardsoflicensedfacilities.TheMonitoris
toldthatStateinspectionsofDilleyoccurred3timesin2016,3timesin2017,
and2timesin2018.TheMonitorwillbeexaminingcopiesofthose
inspectionslaterinMarch.ThecasecitedbytheCourtinthe2017order[Doc.
#363],GrassrootsLeadership,Inc.v.TexasDepartmentofFamilyand
ProtectiveServices,No.D‐1‐GN‐15‐004336,slipop.,TravisCty.Dist.Court
(Dec.16,2016),hasbeenreversed.SeeTexasDepartmentofFamilyand
ProtectiveServicesv.GrassrootsLeadership,Inc.,(Tex.App.,Nov.28,2018,No.
03‐18‐00261‐CV)2018WL6187433.TheTexasCourtofAppealssetasideon
standinggroundstheorderprohibitingTexasfromissuingchildcarelicenses
totheDilleyandKarnesresidentialcenters.
TheMonitortouredtheDilleyfacilitywiththeICEJuvenileCoordinator,staff,
andlawyersforPlaintiffsandDefendantsonNovember26,2018.
TheMonitorobservedthatsincethefamiliesarenotfreetoleavethefacility
withoutstaffaccompaniment,itisdefinedasasecurefacility.Individual
familymemberscanmovefreelythroughoutthelarge,openfacilityto
playrooms,snackareas,libraries,exerciserooms,andoutdoorathleticfields.
Residentsineachofthesix‐toeight‐personbedroomshaveaccesstocable
television.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 38 of 54 Page ID #:25934
Page33
DilleywasconstructedspecificallywithintheframeworkofICE'sdetention
standards,focusedontheneedsoffamilygroups.Thereisaschoolon‐site,
operatedbyacontractorwith18yearsofexperiencenationwide,staffedby
bilingual,state‐certifiedteachers.ParentshaveaccesstoEnglishasaSecond
Languageandotheradulteducationprograms.VolunteersfortheDilleyPro
BonoInitiativehavedesignatedofficestoconsultwithclientssevendaysa
week.Dilleyhasmedicalfacilities,includingadentaloffice,onpremises.A
subcontractor,ICEHealthServiceCorp.,provides24‐hourmedicalservices.
Residentscanreceivevisitorssevendaysaweek,from8A.M.to8P.M.
Recreationresourcesincludeasoccerfield,volleyballandbasketballcourts,
boardgames,andtoys.Thereisalargelibrary,asmallcomputerlabwith
internetaccessandemailservices,andresidentshaveaccesstoabeauty
shop.Residentsmaykeepandweartheirownclothes,andnon‐institutional,
brightly‐coloredclothingisavailable.Thefacility’scafeteriaservesthree
mealsaday,sevendaysaweek.
TheaveragelengthofstayforDilleyduringJanuary2018was19.8days.Asof
December18,2018,theaveragelengthofstaywas11.6days.The2018
averagewas14.6days.6
6TheICEJuvenileCoordinatorhasprovidedtheMonitorinformationregardingICE’scomputationoftheseaverages.Sheadvisesthatminorswho
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 39 of 54 Page ID #:25935
Page34
(2) KarnesCountyResidentialCenter
TheKarnesCountyResidentialCenter,locatedinKarnesCity,Texas,hasa
capacityof830residents,including580childrenyoungerthan18.Karnes
originallyhousedfemalehead‐of‐householdfamilyunitssincethebeginning
ofAugust2014,butsinceJulyof2018Karneshastransitionedtomale‐head‐
of‐householdunitswithmalechildrenonly.
Asnotedabove,therecentappellatedecisionintheGrassrootsLeadership
case(seep.32)hasremovedthebartostatelicensureforKarnes,butthe
facilitydoesnotpresentlyholdastatelicense.AswithDilley,itissubjectto
unannouncedinspectionandstandardsoflicensedfacilities.TheMonitoris
toldinspectionsofKarnesoccurredoncein2015,2timesin2016,2timesin
2017,2timesin2018,andoncein2019.TheMonitorwillreceivecopiesof
thoseinspections.
TheMonitortouredtheKarnesfacilitywiththeICEJuvenileCoordinator,her
staff,andlawyersforPlaintiffsandDefendantsonNovember27,2018.
Again,aswithDilley,sincethefamiliesarenotfreetoleavethefacility
withoutstaffaccompaniment,itisdefinedasasecurefacility.Thefamilies
havenotyetbeenreunitedwiththeirparentsinaccordancewiththeMs.Lv.ICEorderhavebeenexcludedfromtheFlorestimeframe.TheMonitorexpectstoobtainadditionalinformationregardingtheseaveragesandnumbersforminorswhosestayshaveexceededcertainthresholds.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 40 of 54 Page ID #:25936
Page35
havefreemovementwithinthefacilityandgrounds.TheKarnesProBono
Project(“RAICES”)isprovidedadesignatedareatoconsultwithclients,and
visitationsarepermittedsevendaysaweek.
AccordingtotheResident’sHandbookprovidedtotheMonitor,thepersonal
areasaresearchedonceadaytodetectcontraband,maintainsanitary
standards,andeliminatefireandsafetyhazards.RulesofBehaviorand
Disciplinearegiventoalladults.Staffconductsanadultandchildcensus
threetimesaday.
Non‐institutionalclothingisprovided.Thereisalawlibraryandaleisure
library.Recreationfacilitiesincludeanoutdoorbasketballcourt,anindoor
gymnasium,andaplayscapeforchildren.TheMonitortouredthemedicaland
dentalfacilitiesandcafeteria,andobservedaninteractivereligiousservice
withapproximately40‐50maleadultsinattendance.Residentsmaymaintain
personalattirefordailywear.Individualwashingmachinesareavailable
throughoutthelivingareas.Theeightpersonbedroomsarefittedwithcable
television.
TheaveragelengthofstayforminorsatKarnesduringJanuary2018was15.4
days.DuringDecember2018,theaveragelengthofstaywas10.1days.The
2018averagewas11.8days.LengthofstaywasdeterminedbyEROCustody
ManagementbycalculatingthetimebetweenApprehensionDateandeither
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 41 of 54 Page ID #:25937
Page36
Book‐outdateortheendofmonthforthosewhoremainedincustody.7On
occasion,wheretherearedataqualityissuesontheapprehensiondate,the
initialBook‐indatewassubstituted.
C. ORRFacilities
i. Issues
PursuanttotheCourt’sOrderRePlaintiffs’MotionToEnforceClassAction
Settlement[Doc.#470],thefocusoftheMonitor’sinvestigationconcerns
threecategoriesofissues.ThefirstcategoryistheassignmentofUACsto
ORRstaff‐securefacilitiesorsecurefacilities,withparticularattentionto
whethertheUACisgiventimelywrittennoticeofthereasonsforplacinga
UACinasecurefacility,staff‐securefacility,orRTC.Thesecondcategory
concernstheadministrationofpsychotropicmedicationtoclassmembers
withouttheinformedwrittenconsentbyapersonauthorizedbystatelawor
acourtorder.Thislatterissueisparticularlypressinginthecontextofthe
ShilohResidentialTreatmentCenter,alsodescribedbyShilohpersonnelasa
subacutehospitalwitharesidentialprogram8.TheMonitorwilladdressthe
7TheMonitorhasquestionsabouttheaggregationofbooked‐outminorsandthosestillincustodyandexpectstoreceiveadditionalinformationaboutthisandotherdata.8TheOrderspecificallyappliestoShiloh,buttheissueissoentwinedwiththedeliveryofpsychotropicdrugsinallshelters,thattheMonitorwilladdressthemedicaldeliveryofdrugsinORRsheltersinafuturereport.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 42 of 54 Page ID #:25938
Page37
issuesparticulartoShilohbelow(seep.40etseq.).Thethirdcategory
concernsthetimeUACsareinthecustodyofORRandwhetherallexpeditious
stepshavebeentakentoplacetheUACsinanon‐institutionalsetting.
ii. Monitor’sInvestigation
OnDecember3,2018,theMonitortouredtwoofthemorethan100shelter
facilitiesforwhichORRcontracts,theCatholicCharitiesHoustonShelterand
theSouthwestKeyCasaMontezumaShelter.
TheMonitordoesnotyethavethedatanecessarytodeterminetheduration
ofminors’staysatthesetwofacilities,buttheORRdataforfiscalyear2018
reflectsthatofthe55,136totalplacementsnationally,35,249(86%)were
released,896(2%)wereremoved,andtheoveralllengthofcareaveraged60
days.Nationally,thedataforthefirstthreemonthsofthe2019fiscalyear
(theU.S.federalgovernment’sfiscalyearbeginsOctober1)reflecttotal
placementsof18,137,ofwhich12,953werereleased(90%),256(2%)
removals,andasignificantincreaseinoverallaveragelengthofcare,to89
days.TheRGV‐specificnumberswillbeincludedwhentheyarereceived.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 43 of 54 Page ID #:25939
Page38
(1) CatholicCharitiesHouston
TheMonitorvisitedtheCatholicCharitiesHoustonShelteronDecember4,
2018,withthestaffofORRandcounselforDefendants.9Theshelterisinan
attractivehomeinaresidentialneighborhood,designedtocareforyoung
womenandtheirinfants.Atthetimeofthevisit,therewasoneinfantinthe
childcareroombeingcaredforbyastaffmember.Allofthewomenwereat
schoolduringthevisitexceptonewhowasinthehospitalabouttodeliver.
Itappearedthattheyoungwomenwerefreetocomeandgounimpeded.We
couldnotinterviewanyoftheyoungwomenwhowereinclasstodetermine
whethertheywerehavinganydifficultycomingandgoingastheywished.
Thefacilityholdsalicensefromthestate.
(2) SouthwestKeyCasaMontezuma
TheMonitorvisitedSouthwestKeyCasaMontezumaonthesameday,
December4,2018,accompaniedbystaffofORRandcounselforDefendants.
SouthwestKeyCasaMontezumaisamodifiedhospitalinaresidentialarea
andoperatesasaGeneralResidenceOperation.Itisalargefacilitywitha
capacityfor800unaccompaniedchildren.TheMonitorobservedbedrooms,
9Plaintiffs’counselweregiventheopportunitytoparticipateinthevisitstotheCatholicCharitiesandSouthwestKeyCasaMontezumafacilitiesbutdeclined.TheydidjointhevisittoShiloh,asnotedbelow.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 44 of 54 Page ID #:25940
Page39
bunkbeds,dresserdrawers,andoftenanattachedbathroom.ThemaleUACs
areonaseparatefloorfromthefemales.Nopersonalitemswereobservedin
thebedrooms,eitheronthebedsoronthedresser.Thefacilityissurrounded
bysecurityforpersonscomingandgoing.Thefacilityislockedandsecure,
withpersonnelregulatingentryandexitofvisitorsandstaffandminors
accompaniedbystaff.Theoutdoorareaforexerciseissmallandsurrounded
byachain‐linkfence.TheMonitorobservedschoolclasses,whichappearedto
beofreasonablesizeandengagedinappropriateteachingactivities.The
monitorexaminedthecafeteriaatmealtime,seeingmaleandfemaleminors
eatingatthesametime,withtalkandlaughteramongtheminors.Thefood
lookedappetizing.Thewallsofthecafeteriaandgeneralhallsweredecorated
withbrightcolors,signsannouncingeventsandreportinginappropriate
conduct,andstudentartwork.
TheMonitorobservedthemedicalfacilitiesandmetwithadministrative
personnel.Inwalkingthroughthefacility,theMonitorobservedmental
healthprofessionalsintheirofficesandteachersconductingclasses.The
Monitorwastoldthatalloftherelevantstaffheldstatelicensesandthatthe
facilityitselfwaslicensed.
Familymembersareabletovisittheminors,andtheMonitorobserveda
bankoftelephonesavailableforprivateconversationswithfamily,friends,
andpotentialsponsors.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 45 of 54 Page ID #:25941
Page40
Inresponsetoquestions,administrativestaffrecognizedthattherehadbeen
increaseddelayinobtainingsponsors,whichtheMonitorunderstandstobe
attributable,atleastinpart,tothecurrentgovernmentpolicyregardingthe
needforfingerprints.Butstaffsaidthat,inaddition,theyweresometimes
beingtoldthatthefingerprintsforhouseholdmembersofaprospective
sponsorhadexpired,delayingplacementuntilfingerprintingcouldbe
repeated.Therealsoappearedtobeincreasedinvestigationofsponsorsand
oftheextendedfamilyofthepotentialsponsor.
InJanuaryof2019,subsequenttotheDecember4thtour,theMonitorwas
informedthatonDecember18,2018,ORRpolicyhadbeenchangedbyan
OperationalDirectiveinanattempttoincreasethespeedofinvestigationof
sponsorsandextendedfamilies,anddecreasethelengthofcaredescribed
duringourtour.Amongotherthings,ORRrevisedORRfingerprintpolicyto
extendthetimeperiodinwhichfingerprintsremainvalid.TheMonitorwill
bereviewingtheimpactofthischangeinpolicyandprovideresultsinthe
nextReport.
(3) ShilohResidentialTreatmentCenter
TheMonitorattendedthefirsttourandinterviewsatShilohwithcounselfor
thePartiesandORRpersonnel.TheUnaccompaniedMinor’sProgramat
ShilohTreatmentCenterisaresidentialtreatmentprograminaruraland
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 46 of 54 Page ID #:25942
Page41
isolatedenvironmentthatserveschildrenandadolescentsages3–18years
oldwithbehavioralandemotionalproblemsresultingfromamentalhealth
diagnosis.Shilohoperates24hoursaday,7daysaweek.Shilohiscurrently
licensedfor44bedsbytheTexasDepartmentofFamilyandProtective
Services,accreditedbytheJointCommission,andapprovedasanon‐public
schoolbytheTexasEducationAgency.
TheCourtspecificallydirectedthatShilohprovidefacilitieswhereminors
mayhaveprivatetelephoneconversations.TheMonitorandattendees
examinedtheofficewiththecubicleequippedwithseatingandthetelephone
usedbytheminors.SincetheCourt’sOrder,theformerlysoliddoortothe
telephonecubiclehasbeenalteredtoincludeawindow,sothatminorscan
nowclosethedoorandspeakwithoutbeingoverheardbyastaffmemberin
theoffice.
TheMonitorobservedtheresidencesoftheminors.Theinteriorscontain
bedroomswithbunkbeds,bedroomfurniture,privatebathrooms,anda
commonlivingroom,diningroomandkitchen.Theexteriorsofthe
residencesareequippedwithvisiblesecurityondoorsandwindows.The
Monitoralsoobservedaclassinsessionandstaffandboysintheathletic
yard.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 47 of 54 Page ID #:25943
Page42
Attheconclusionofthetour,theMonitormetinaconferenceroomwithORR
personnel,counsel,managementofShiloh,andtheexpertpsychiatristfor
PlaintiffstodiscussingeneraltheroleofORRanditscontractorscaringfor
UACs,andspecificallythecurrentcompliancebyShilohwiththeCourt’s
OrderafterJuly30,2018.Theconversationfocusedprimarilyoninformed
consentforadministrationofpsychotropicmedications,ensuringthatminors
wereheldintheleastrestrictiveenvironment,andthatminorsshouldbe
expeditiouslyreleasedor“steppeddown”toalessrestrictiveenvironment.
ThelawyersandShilohstaffconcludedthemeetingwithabriefquestionand
answersession.
Dayslater,atasubsequentmeetandconferwithcounsel,atthesuggestionof
theMonitor,itwasagreedthattheProgramAdministrator,Shiloh
Psychiatrist,andPlaintiffs’expertwitnessshouldmeetinpersonorthrough
Skypetofurtherdiscussdisputedissues,withouttheirlawyerspresent,with
thehopethatthemedicalprofessionalscoulddevelopamedicalprotocol
consistentwithbestpracticesandtheOrder.ItwasdecidedthattheMonitor
wouldattendasmoderator.
TheMonitorattendedthemeetingofthedoctorsatShilohonJanuary14,and
observedtheirthoughtfulandfar‐rangingattempttodevelopacommon
protocol.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 48 of 54 Page ID #:25944
Page43
Attheconclusionofthemeeting,thedoctorsagreedtosharetheir
impressionswiththelawyersforORRandthePlaintiffs.TheMonitorhas
beeninformedthatafterhearingfromthedoctors,thelawyersforORRand
thePlaintiffshavemetandconferredinJanuaryandFebruary.Eachsidehas
proposedlanguagetosettlethedispute.TheMonitorwillreportonthe
resultsinthenextReport.
6. DISCUSSIONOFWHETHERDEFENDANTS’RESPONSESTO
PLAINTIFFS’DECLARATIONSHAVEREBUTTEDPLAINTIFFS’
EVIDENCE
ParagraphD(1)(a)oftheOrderAppointingtheMonitorrequiresherto
includeintheFirstReportandRecommendationadiscussionof“Defendants’
responsestothedeclarationsPlaintiffsfiledonJuly19,2018[Doc.##475to
475‐7]andPlaintiffs’replyhereto[Doc.##481and481‐1],andopineonthe
extent(ifany)towhichDefendantshaverebuttedPlaintiffs’evidence.”10
10Defendants’filingcontainsseparaterepliesfromICEJuvenileCoordinatorDeaneDougherty[Doc.#475‐1]andUSBPJuvenileCoordinatorHenryA.Moak,Jr.[Doc.#475‐2to475‐7].TheICEreplyaddressesPlaintiffs’MemorandumReStatusConferenceandResponsetoThirdGovernmentMonitors’Reports[Doc.##457to457‐1],datedJuly13,2018,anddoesnotpurporttoaddressPlaintiffs’July19,2018declarations,towhichthisparagraphoftheOrderrefers.Therefore,theMonitorfocuseshereonMr.Moak’sresponsetotheallegationsagainstCBPinPlaintiffs’July19,2018filing.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 49 of 54 Page ID #:25945
Page44
Inhisresponse(LetterfromHenryA.Moak,Jr.toHon.DollyM.Gee,Aug.6,
2018)[Doc.#475‐1](“MoakLtr.”),Mr.MoakdescribeshowhehadCBP
activitylogsandamenityreportsretrievedforallofthedeclarations
pertainingtotheRGVSector,ofwhichhewasabletoobtaindocumentation
regarding18ofthedeclarants;heattachesthosedocumentstohisresponse.
Mr.Moakthenpresentshisconclusionsfromthisreview.TheMonitorhas
reviewedhisresponseandcomparedthe18declarationstotherecords
profferedbyMr.Moak.Obviouslythisisalimitedsubsetfromwhichtodraw
anybroadconclusionsaboutrebuttalofPlaintiffs’evidentiaryshowings,but
thatisoflesserconcernthanthelimitedevidentiarysupportCBPcandraw
fromthe18filesthatwereexamined.
Mr.Moak’sfilereviewdemonstratesthatthefullbreadthoftheallegationsin
Plaintiffs’declarationsarenotfullyaddressedinthefile.Overall,“the
custodialrecordsindicatemanyoftheminorswereprovidedsomeorallof
theseamenities.”(MoakLtr.,at2.)Thereviewisrestrictedto“allegations
relatedtopersonalhygieneproducts,accesstoshowers,foodavailability,or
otheramenitiesoffered”(id.),andacknowledgesthatsomeofthedeclarants’
allegations“cannotberesolvedbasedsolelyontheattachedRGVrecords,”in
partbecausesomeoftheissues(e.g.,ambienttemperatures)pertainto
declarants’subjectiveexperiences(id.at3).AndMr.Moakacknowledges
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 50 of 54 Page ID #:25946
Page45
“particularlyconcerning”allegationsofagentorofficermisconduct,which
havebeenreferredtoCBP’sOfficeofProfessionalResponsibility.(Id.)
Mr.Moakcomparestheallegationsoftwodeclarationswiththerecords
profferedwithhisresponse,which“illustratehowmanyofthe18
declarationsIreviewedcontainallegationsthatareinconsistentwiththe
actualdatacollectedbyCBPduringtheminors'timeincustody.”(Id.at2.)
TheMonitorhascomparedthedeclarationswiththeCBPdataprovided.The
comparisonrevealsthatthelimitedscopeofthedatamaintained,the
inherentlysubjectivenatureofsomeofthecomplaints,andthelimited
conclusionsMr.Moakwasabletoreachcannotprovidesufficientevidentiary
refutationofthedeclarations.
Toillustrate,Mr.Moak’sfirstexampleregardsKeylinM,whosedeclarationis
Plaintiffs’Exhibit6.Thefollowingtableitemizestheallegations,shows
Mr.Moak’sresponses,anddescribeshowtheMonitorfindsthatthetwo
relate.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 51 of 54 Page ID #:25947
Page46
Allegation (Plaintiffs’ Exhibit 6)
CBP Response (Moak Ltr., p. 2)
Monitor’s Observations
Room cold, shivering, miserable cold. (¶¶ 4, 10)
No response with respect to Keylin in particular, but CBP maintains that, except as noted, temperature was maintained between 60 and 80 degrees F.
Numerous declarations allege (and Monitor observed) that rooms felt cold, minors were unaccustomed to air conditioning, many were lightly dressed.
Given food frozen (¶¶ 5, 13, 20) “[C]ustodial records show 22 meals were accepted, one meal was rejected, and seven snacks were offered during the minor's time in custody.”
Monitor confirms that e3DM records show minor “accepted” 22 meals (plus snacks) and refused 1. Whether minor found them edible (i.e., actually ate) is not clear. Several of Plaintiffs’ declarants made the same allegation regarding undefrosted food.
Food smelled bad (¶¶ 13, 20)
Separated from Mother, limited opportunity to talk (¶¶ 6‐7, 19)
No response
Female guards abusive (¶¶ 8‐9) Allegations are particularly concerning. Referred to OPR.
Guards did not allow them to keep blankets when leaving facility. (¶¶ 11, 12)
No response Allegation appears to regard being permitted to keep blankets when transferred between facilities, rather than being denied blankets.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 52 of 54 Page ID #:25948
Page47
Allegation (Plaintiffs’ Exhibit 6)
CBP Response (Moak Ltr., p. 2)
Monitor’s Observations
Had no toothpaste, toothbrush at “Dog House” (¶ 14)
“KM received . . . a dental hygiene product, . . .”
Records show she received these items at “RGV”, the first facility to which she was taken. Declaration says she did not have toothpaste, toothbrush “the entire time I was at the Dog House,” which appears to refer to the second facility (“BRP” in the records), where she was taken on her fifth day in custody. So it appears she did not take what she was given at “RGV” with her to “BRP”, where she was not given new dental hygiene items.
Bathrooms “dirty and disgusting, toilets overflowing” (¶ 15)
No response.
Was not allowed to shower or change for 5 days (¶ 16)
“Custodial records indicate that KM received … two showers during her time in custody.”
Minor was in custody for 8 days at time of declaration.
Not given any food, water when moved after 4 days (¶ 18)
“[C]ustodial records show 22 meals were accepted, one meal was rejected, and seven snacks were offered during the minor's time in custody.”
This allegation appears to refer to 5th day in custody, when she was transferred from “RGV” to “BRP”. E3DM records indicate meals were received. No records regarding water.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 53 of 54 Page ID #:25949
Page48
ThematerialMr.Moakhasprovidedisbynomeansirrelevanttotheissues
beforetheCourt.IntheMonitor’sview,thisexercisehasshownthatwhilethe
e3DMdatadefinitelyhasasignificantroletoplayinexaminingsomeofthe
allegationsthathavebeenmade,rebuttalofthefullrangeofissuesrequires
evidenceoutsidethee3DMmaterials,atleastasitispresentlydesigned,and
mayrequire,forexample,reconsiderationofthestandardsandcriteriaCBP
hasadopted.
AtthispointthePartieshavemovedbeyondtheallegationsofthe2018
filings.TheMonitorhasseensomeprogressonanumberoftheissuesthat
havethusfareludedresolution.If,afterthecurrenteffortsruntheircourse,
someissuesremainunresolved,thePartiescanaddressthemwithnew
evidencefrombothsides.
Case 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR Document 528 Filed 03/06/19 Page 54 of 54 Page ID #:25950