Ensuring that Members of Congress and their staff have appropriate access to detention facilities through tours, visits, or tours remains a top priority for CBP.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Facility Visits and Engagements Protocol for Members of Congress and Staff
All visitors are expected to comply with facility rules, procedures, and instructions from CBP personnel on site. To ensure security, preserve privacy, and avoid any disruptions in daily operations, all individuals permitted to tour CBP facilities shall maintain appropriate decorum, adherence to applicable CBP facility standards, and abide by this Protocol. This Protocol does not create or confer any right, privilege, or benefit for any person, party or entity. United States v. Caceres, 440 U.S. 741 (1979). Failure to adhere to this policy, as well as any facility specific requirements, may result in the termination of the visitor’s engagement. Please communicate any questions or concerns to the CBP Office of Congressional Affairs prior to your engagement to mitigate any misunderstandings.
Visitors entering the facility to participate in a tour are subject to a screening and/or other search of their person and belongings for security reasons. CBP retains the sole and un-reviewable discretion to deny a request or otherwise cancel, reschedule or terminate a tour or visit if: 1) an emergency arises; 2) the safety, security, and orderly operations of the facility are potentially jeopardized; 3) any violation(s) of this Protocol occur; 4) any other identified operational concerns exist; 5) facility management or other CBP officials deem it appropriate to do so.
Access
Congressional Member Delegations (CODELs), and Congressional Staff Delegations (STAFFDELs) are afforded access, within the contours of this document, to CBP facilities. These visits are limited to Members of Congress and congressional staff only. All other requests for tours (e.g., media representatives, local officials, non-governmental organizations, members of the public, etc.) should be directed to the area CBP external affairs representative with jurisdiction over the facility for coordination and approval.
Access Requirements
- Request Process: Unless specifically approved by the Secretary of Homeland Security, or necessary to comply with prevailing court orders, all requests to visit CBP facilities by Members of Congress and/or congressional staff must be made a minimum of seven (7) calendar days in advance and be coordinated through the CBP Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA). Failure to meet this requirement will result in a denial of access to the facility. However, at this time, pursuant to a March 2, 2026, court order in Neguse v. ICE, this seven-day notice requirement does not apply. All Members of Congress are permitted to visit CBP facilities with no notice. However, CBP requires a minimum of twenty-four (24)-hours’ advance notice for congressional staff seeking to visit CBP facilities. Visit requests (for congressional staff; Members of Congress during non-stayed advanced notice access policy; and Members of Congress who wish to coordinate with OCA during stayed advanced notice access policy) should include the date of the proposed visit, the visit location, the duration of the visit, and the names and duty titles of all participants. Visit requests should be submitted during normal business hours to OCA at OCAInquiry@cbp.dhs.gov. Visit requests are not considered actionable until OCA acknowledges receipt of the request to the requestor. Requests received after hours or on weekends/holidays will be confirmed on the next business day. OCA will work with the appropriate Sector or Field Office to coordinate the visit request and will confirm details as soon as practicable. Only congressional staff scheduled and confirmed for the visit will be allowed to participate.
- Impact Considerations: Group size, visit date, or visit itinerary may be requested to be modified in order to reduce CBP operational impact at the time of the visit while still accommodating the visit request.
- Identification: All visitors must present a valid, government-issued identification card to enter a CBP facility. Please have congressional identification ready to validate access. If an individual is not in possession of congressional identification or another form of identification, the individual may not be allowed to enter CBP facilities and participate in the engagement. Only those participants scheduled for the visitor engagement will be allowed to participate.
- Security Screening: CBP will continue to maintain a secure perimeter and screen all visitors to CBP facilities prior to entry. All visitors will be required to comply with identity verification and security screening requirements prior to entry. Visitors should plan to leave all personal items in their vehicles.
Phones and Recording Devices
To protect the privacy rights of the minors and adults in CBP holding facilities (to include the right to not be photographed or recorded without consent), as well as those of CBP employees, no electronic or recording devices, cameras, laptops, or wireless communication devices including smart phones, smart watches, or other mobile phones will be permitted inside CBP facilities without advance written approval from the facility and the appropriate CBP HQ representative(s). Before attempting to enter any CBP facility, all visitors should leave cell phones and other electronics in their vehicle. Alternatively, visitors may have the opportunity to place their devices in a lock box upon arrival. No recording or photography is permitted inside of CBP facilities without advance approval. Upon request, CBP may provide a photographer and distribute approved photographs following the visit/engagement. These policies are implemented to ensure the safety of Members of Congress, staff, law enforcement, visitors, and detainees alike.
Hatch Act
CBP facilities and personnel may not be used for campaign activities such as town hall meetings, rallies, speeches, fundraisers, press conferences, photo opportunities, or other similar events. This is true even if a facility has a policy to permit public use of some portion of the facilities. Only Members of Congress and their official staff on official government business are permitted on congressional tours absent prior approval by CBP (i.e., no accompanying media or photographers, campaign pins, distribution of literature, or outside campaign volunteers and consultants). Furthermore, Congressional access to facilities, assets and personnel is permitted by law for purposes of Congressional oversight and not for political purposes. To help us ensure that no CBP agents, officers, and/or employees violate the Hatch Act, we appreciate your commitment to not use any photos or other media, to include social media, that would place CBP personnel in uniform and/or at the federal facility in the media or campaign statements and materials.
Interactions with Persons in CBP Holding Facilities or CBP Personnel
Visitors shall not:
- Enter, move about, or leave the facility without being properly escorted by CBP staff.
- Have any physical or verbal contact with any person in CBP holding facilities, including children, unless previously requested and specifically approved by CBP Headquarters. Physical and verbal contact with persons in CBP holding facilities, to include children, is limited to safeguard privacy and to ensure the engagement progresses on schedule.
- Have any physical or verbal contact with persons in CBP holding facilities and/or staff not involved in delivery of the tour absent express consent of the persons and approval in advance from CBP.
- Meet with persons being processed at a CBP facility unless necessary to comply with prevailing court orders.
- Solicit legal clients or engage in other business that involves direct or indirect interaction with persons in CBP holding facilities absent approval in advance from CBP.
- Engage in commercial solicitation, distribution of materials, or any activity for the purpose of financial gain.
- Coerce or intimidate any person in CBP holding facilities or CBP personnel.
Weapons
No weapons of any kind, including knives, sharp objects, or firearms, will be allowed in CBP facilities. Attendees will be asked to leave all weapons in the transportation vehicle or lock box prior to entering CBP facilities.
Donations
Please note that donations of any kind cannot be accepted at CBP facilities.