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HR 4391 117th Congress House Immigration Administrative remedies Border security and unlawful immigration Child safety and welfare Congressional oversight Criminal justice information and records Department of Health and Human Services Detention of persons Family relationships Immigration status and procedures Judges

Responsibility for Unaccompanied Minors Act

Introduced: July 9, 2021 Introduced by: Miller-Meeks, Mariannette Republican · Iowa See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 1, 2022
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Jul 9, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 9, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Responsibility for Unaccompanied Minors Act

This bill amends provisions relating to responsibilities of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the care of unaccompanied alien children.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement of HHS may provide care for an unaccompanied alien child until the conclusion of the child's immigration proceedings or the child reaching 18 years of age, whichever occurs first. Before placing an unaccompanied alien child with a sponsor, the office shall evaluate the child's future need for follow-up services.

Before placing an accompanied alien child, HHS shall (1) require the proposed sponsor to execute a sponsor care agreement, (2) notify the welfare agency of the state where the child will be placed, and (3) conduct a background check of the sponsor and all adults living in the household in which the child will reside.

Under the care agreement, each sponsor shall agree to (1) provide for the child's physical and mental well-being, and (2) ensure the child's presence at immigration proceedings and compliance with all court and agency orders. HHS shall assume physical custody of a child if the non-parent or legal guardian sponsor fails to comply with the care agreement. HHS shall periodically report to Congress on instances where a sponsor failed to comply with a care agreement.

The Department of Justice shall increase the number of immigration judge teams by at least 225.

What's happening now November 1, 2022

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 772 Identical bill Responsibility for Unaccompanied Minors Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 6
All 6 Democratic 1 Republican 3
Johnson, Bill
· Jul 20, 2021
 D
Cuellar, Henry
Texas · Jul 9, 2021
 R
Johnson, Dusty
South Dakota · Jul 9, 2021
Meijer, Peter
· Jul 9, 2021
 R
Tenney, Claudia
New York · Jul 9, 2021
 R
Van Drew, Jefferson
New Jersey · Jul 9, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4391: Responsibility for Unaccompanied Minors Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4391/
MLA
"H.R. 4391: Responsibility for Unaccompanied Minors Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4391/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4391, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4391/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4391: Responsibility for Unaccompanied Minors Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-4391/)
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