Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, announced the introduction of the bicameral CBP Guidance on Personal Belongings Act, legislation requiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to develop guidance for the respectful handling of personal property of individuals who are arrested or detained by CBP. Congresswoman Ramirez joined Congressman Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07) and Senators Peter Welch (VT-D), Dick Durbin (IL-D), and Tammy Duckworth (IL-D) for the introduction. When people arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border, they often carry their most important personal belongings, such as medication, phones, money, and identity documents. When met by CBP officials, these belongings are often forcibly confiscated and discarded, creating extreme hardship for immigrants and challenges for local governments and nonprofit organizations assisting migrants released from CBP custody.  CBP issued a directive in August requiring its personnel to safeguard and return migrants’ personal belongings. The CBP Guidance on Personal Belongings Act would require by law for CBP to maintain such a directive and would – critically – establish a monitoring mechanism for the directive’s implementation. Endorsers include the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, American Civil Liberties Union, Church World Service, Hindus for Human Rights, Sikh Coalition, and Protect AZ Health.