WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today sent a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan, requesting information about individuals in CBP custody as a result of Donald Trump’s executive order targeting immigrants, refugees and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) traveling to the United States from seven majority-Muslim nations. Grijalva further requested any and all guidance, directives, and/or policies from the Department of Homeland Security regarding the implementation of the executive order, as well as any legal justification and review process for the policy.

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

January 30, 2017

Kevin McAleenan

Acting Commissioner

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol

1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Washington, DC 20229

Dear Acting Commissioner McAleenan:

On Friday, January 27, 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order, “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States Entry.” As a direct result, individuals with visas to come to the United States, and some individuals with Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status, were detained at airports throughout the country and denied entry into the country.

First and foremost, I request information about individuals in CBP custody and a status update regarding attorney access to the secondary processing area to provide legal counsel to these individuals.

Additionally, in order to better understand the implementation of this Executive Order and the scope of issues that may affect my constituents, I request the following information:

• Any and all guidance, directives, and/or policies from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the implementation of this Executive Order and how it is being interpreted and implemented on current visa holders seeking entry into the United States, visa applicants, LPRs, dual citizens, United States citizens and to any other individuals from the seven designated countries in the Executive Order applying for or renewing any of the immigration benefits listed above or any other immigration benefit.
• Additionally, please provide the legal justifications for this Executive Order and the review process that was followed by all federal agencies that have jurisdiction over this prior to its enactment.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Sincerely,

###