CONDITIONS IN CBP HOLDING FACILITIES
Food, Water and Restroom Access During CBP Detention
CBP’s custody standards require basic care for people held in CBP facilities, including drinking water, restroom access, hygiene items and meals. More specific protections apply to children, pregnant detainees and other at-risk individuals.
CBP Standards Address
- Drinking water
- Regular meals
- Restrooms
- Basic hygiene
- Special needs of at-risk detainees
CBP Public Guidance Describes Basic Custody Conditions
Current CBP guidance states that people in CBP custody are provided basic hygiene items, mats, restrooms, drinking water and regular meals.
These are custody standards, not discretionary amenities.
Drinking Water Must Be Available
CBP’s detention standards require regular hold-room checks that include verifying the availability of drinking water.
Restroom Access
CBP standards provide for restroom access and state that when restrooms are not inside the secure area, personnel must remain available so detainees can request access.
The standards also address privacy while detainees perform bodily functions.
Basic Hygiene
CBP policy requires basic personal hygiene items consistent with short-term detention and safety needs. Families with small children are to have access to items such as diapers and baby wipes.
Meals and Special Populations
CBP public guidance states that people in custody receive regular meals. The TEDS standards contain more specific meal and snack requirements for juveniles, pregnant detainees and nursing detainees.
For example, juveniles and pregnant detainees are to be offered a snack upon arrival and meals at specified intervals under the at-risk-population standards.
Medical or Religious Dietary Needs
A detainee with a medical dietary need, allergy or other significant health-related food restriction should clearly tell CBP personnel so the issue can be evaluated under the applicable custody and medical procedures.
Longer CBP Custody Has Additional Hygiene Standards
TEDS states that reasonable efforts should be made to provide adult detainees approaching 72 hours in detention with access to showers, soap and a clean towel. Different timing standards apply to juveniles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CBP have to provide drinking water?
CBP custody standards specifically address drinking-water availability in holding facilities.
Can a person in a CBP holding room use the restroom?
Yes. CBP standards address restroom access, including facilities where the restroom is outside the secure holding area.
Is there one fixed meal schedule for every adult airport traveler?
CBP publicly states that people in custody receive regular meals, but the detailed TEDS provisions contain different requirements depending on the person’s circumstances and whether the individual is part of an at-risk population.
Primary Government Sources
These government materials describe the principal CBP custody and detention standards discussed on this page.
Preserve Details of Serious Problems With Conditions in CBP Custody
Dates, times, witnesses, medical effects and the later CBP record can matter when a custody-conditions issue becomes relevant to a complaint or legal review.