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HR 2607 112th Congress House

HELP Separated Children Act

Official title: To provide protection for children affected by the immigration laws of the United States, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 15, 2012 See on congress.gov
Immigration Adoption and foster careAgingBorder security and unlawful immigrationChild safety and welfare
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Crime victimsCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDepartment of Homeland SecurityDetention of personsDisability and paralysisFamily relationshipsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesImmigrant health and welfareImmigration status and proceduresLawyers and legal servicesMedical tests and diagnostic methodsRefugees, asylum, displaced personsRight of privacy
This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 25, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement.
Jul 27, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.
Jul 21, 2011
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jul 21, 2011
Introduced in House
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 Latest action August 25, 2011

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections for Separated Children Act or the HELP Separated Children Act - Sets forth: (1) apprehension procedures for immigration enforcement-related activities engaged in by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or by other entities under agreement with DHS, and (2) related protections for apprehended persons who belong to specified vulnerable population groups.

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) authorize an alien who has been arrested or detained pending a removal determination to be represented by counsel (at no cost to the government), and (2) require that an alien who has been in such custody for more that 48 hours be brought for a custody determination not later than 72 hours after commencement of detention.

Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require that state plans for foster care and adoption assistance include provisions regarding foster care children with a parent, legal guardian, or primary caregiver relative who is in immigration detainment or has been removed from the United States.

Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) mandate vulnerable population and child welfare training for immigration enforcement personnel, and (2) ensure that immigration detention facilities take steps to preserve family unity.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2607: HELP Separated Children Act. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2607/
MLA
"H.R. 2607: HELP Separated Children Act." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2607/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2607, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2607/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2607: HELP Separated Children Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2607/)
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