BENNIE G. THOMPSON, MISSISSIPPI MIKE ROGERS, ALABAMA
CHAIRMAN RANKING MEMBER

 

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March 7, 2019

Mr. Kevin K. McAleenan
Commissioner

US. Customs and Border Protection
1300 Ave. NW
Washington, DC. 20229

Dear Commissioner McAleenan:

We are writing to express our great concern about a US. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
list the agency is using to st0p, detain, question, and search 59 reporters, attorneys, and
advocates, most of whom are US. citizens, at the southern border. Further, we are requesting
information about this troubling practice, which raises serious legal and constitutional questions.

Yesterday, NBC News reported that in January, CBP published a list entitled, ?San Diego Sector
Foreign Operations Branch: Migrant Caravan FY 2019 Suspected Organizers, Coordinators,
lnstigators, and Media.? The document includes photos and instructions for CBP'of?cers to stop
the 59 individuals if they cross the border, and interviews with targeted individuals con?rm they
are being stopped for secondary inspection. Some individuals have even been required to allow
CBP of?cers to search their cell phones before being released.

The appearance that CBP is targeting journalists, lawyers, and advocates, and particularly those
who work on immigration matters or report on border and immigration issues, raises questions
about possible misuse of border search authority and requires oversight to ensure the
protection of Americans? legal and constitutional rights. Therefore, we request the following
information by March 14, 2019:

A copy of the list and any accompanying instructions or guidance to CBP of?cers on
actions to be taken when encountering a person on the list.

(2) Copies of any ?dossiers? on the 59 individuals and information about which agencies or
foreign governments provided information for such dossiers.

(3) An explanation of why each of these 59 individuals were included on the list.

(4) An account of how many times these 59 individuals have been stopped for further
questioning by CBP since January 19, 2019.

(5) An account of the individuals on the list whose phone was searched or seized by CBP
of?cers.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,
Bennie G. Thompson Kathleen M. Rice

Chairman Chairwoman
Subcommittee on Border Security,
Facilitation, and Operations