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Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act

Introduced: July 23, 2019 Introduced by: Meng, Grace Democratic · New York See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Aug 6, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Aug 2, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.

Jul 23, 2019

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, and Financial Services, 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 23, 2019

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (E965-966)

Jul 23, 2019

Introduced in House

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act

This bill establishes limitations on separating alien children from parents and on detaining families, and also addresses other immigration-related matters.

A child may be separated from a parent or legal guardian at or near a port of entry or U.S. border only if (1) a state court has made a relevant ruling, such as terminating the parent's rights; (2) a qualified child welfare agency official has ruled that separation is in the child's best interest; or (3) a specified official makes certain determinations, such as concluding that a child is a trafficking victim.

A child may not be separated from a parent or guardian solely to deter migration or promote compliance with immigration laws.

This bill establishes presumptions (1) in favor of family unity and keeping siblings together, and (2) against detention.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall (1) document all child separations, (2) develop training for officers handling separations, (3) publish guidance on how to locate a separated child, (4) periodically provide a parent or guardian information about a separated child, and (5) pay for counsel to represent unaccompanied alien children in removal proceedings.

The Flores settlement (an agreement imposing conditions on the treatment of detained alien minors) and a related court holding shall apply to the detention of families.

The bill also contains provisions relating to the detention of aliens, including (1) requiring medical assessments of detained children, (2) imposing health-related standards for detention facilities, and (3) requiring DHS to provide sufficient funds for alternatives to detention programs.

What's happening now August 6, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Committees of jurisdiction 5