U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has terminated a Biden-era policy that permitted federal immigration officials to solicit and accept private gifts for illegal immigrants in federal custody. The decision, effective immediately, was announced by CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott, who stated the policy no longer aligns with the Trump administration's border security objectives.
Scott withdrew CBP's participation from the Department of Homeland Security directive, originally signed in May 2022 by then-Deputy Homeland Security Secretary John K. Tien. The directive had authorized leaders of CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to solicit, accept, and utilize gifts for the care of migrants held in their custody.
In a memo obtained by Fox News, Scott explained that the policy is "no longer needed or appropriate" due to a "significant decrease in encounters and apprehensions." He added that CBP "no longer requires private donations or gifts for distribution to aliens in custody" and that the agency "will continue to provide care for aliens in our custody through our normal appropriations."
Furthermore, Scott stated that the discontinued policy "does not align with the Trump administration's strengthened enforcement posture at our borders and related presidential actions issued by the administration."
While CBP has withdrawn from the directive, the memo did not indicate whether ICE has also been removed from the DHS policy. The original delegation was enacted during a period of elevated migrant encounters, processing, and detentions, prompting CBP to seek authority for private donations to supplement care.
This move by CBP comes as the agency reviews and adjusts its operational policies to reflect the current administration's approach to border security and immigration enforcement.