[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 245 (Friday, December 21, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65625-65626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27892]


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CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION


Sunshine Act Meeting

AGENCY: United States Commission on Civil Rights.

ACTION: Notice of accepting written and oral public comments on family 
separation.

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DATES: Friday, December 10, 2019 through Monday, February 25, 2019 
(written comments); Friday, January 25, 2019, 1:30 p.m. ET (in-person 
comments).

ADDRESSES: Place: National Place Building, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 
11th Floor, Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20245 (Entrance on F Street NW).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Walch, (202) 376-8371; TTY: 
(202) 376-8116; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2015, the Commission issued a report, 
``With Liberty and Justice for All: The State of Civil Rights at 
Immigration Detention Facilities.'' In that report, the Commission 
specifically addressed the status of detained undocumented immigration 
children and found substantial questions regarding the compliance of 
both the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the Department of Health & 
Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with 
the quality care standards and the terms of the Flores Settlement 
Agreement for unaccompanied minor children. Further, the Commission 
examined policies and standards surrounding the detention of families 
at residential centers operated by DHS.
    In 2018, as part of implementing its ``zero tolerance'' program for 
border crossings, the federal government began forcibly separating 
undocumented immigrant children from their parents. After reversing 
this policy, the federal government stated it would seek legal 
authority to allow indefinite detention of children and their families. 
In July 2018, the Commission voted to reopen its investigation on the 
conditions of immigration detention, and appointed a Subcommittee to 
examine the issue further. The Commission's Subcommittee has sought 
information from DHS and HHS, in the form of interrogatories and 
document requests. The Commission's requests to DHS and HHS are 
available on our website.
    To supplement the solicited information, the Commission's 
Subcommittee will hold an in-person public comment session on the 
condition of immigration detention centers and status of treatment of 
immigrants, including children. This in-person public comment session 
will take place from 1:30-4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2019. The 
Commission Subcommittee seeks to hear from members of the public, 
including policy advocates, legal experts, affected persons, and other 
individuals who wish to speak on the issue.
    Members of the public will have up to approximately five (5) 
minutes to address the Commission, with spots allotted on a first-come, 
first-serve basis. There will be a limited time for the Commissioners 
to engage in direct dialogue with the members of the public. 
Individuals will be able to register for speaking slots, both online 
and at the public comment session (in person).
    The Commission will provide interpretation services in Spanish. 
Individuals are also welcome to bring their own interpreters (for 
Spanish or other languages). Additional time may be allotted to 
individuals requiring interpretation services, as necessary.

Online Registration

    On Friday, January 18, 2019, beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET, individuals 
will be able to register to speak online at Eventbrite. This 
registration option will remain open until all slots are filled, and no 
later than 9:00 a.m. ET on Friday January, 25, 2019. An individual who 
successfully registers online must be physically present for the public 
comment session no later than 1:00 p.m. ET on Friday, January 25, 2019, 
or risk forfeiting the individual's speaking slot.

In Person Registration, Friday, January 25

    Individuals will have the opportunity to sign up for a limited 
number of speaking slots, in person, the day of the public comment 
session, beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2019. If the 
online registration spots are not filled, or individuals who signed up 
online do not appear to claim their spot, these spots will open up to 
any further interested participants.

Written Comments

    The Commission also welcomes written submission of material for 
consideration. Please submit such information to [email protected] 
no later than February 25, 2019.
    Further detailed information on registration, including the online 
registration link for the in-person public comment session, will be 
announced on the Commission's website (www.usccr.gov), Twitter 
(www.twitter.com/USCCRgov), and

[[Page 65626]]

Facebook (www.facebook.com/USCCRgov/).
    The public comment period is open to the public. The event will 
also live-stream at https://www.youtube.com/user/USCCR/videos. (Please 
note that streaming information is subject to change.) If attending in 
person, we ask that you RSVP to [email protected]. Persons with 
disabilities who need accommodation should contact Pamela Dunston at 
202-376-8105 or at [email protected] at least seven (7) business days 
before the date of the meeting.

    Dated: December 19, 2018.
Brian Walch,
Director, Communications and Public Engagement.
[FR Doc. 2018-27892 Filed 12-19-18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 6335-01-P