Legis Daily

Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act

USA116th CongressHR-3918| House 
| Updated: 8/6/2019
Grace Meng

Grace Meng

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (33)
John Garamendi (Democratic)Barbara Lee (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Joseph P. Kennedy (Democratic)Sheila Jackson Lee (Democratic)Carolyn B. Maloney (Democratic)Debra A. Haaland (Democratic)C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (Democratic)Eliot L. Engel (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Bobby L. Rush (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Ann Kirkpatrick (Democratic)Peter A. DeFazio (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Mark DeSaulnier (Democratic)Gregory W. Meeks (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Peter J. Visclosky (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Brad Sherman (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)William R. Keating (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Earl Blumenauer (Democratic)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Grace F. Napolitano (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Homeland Security Committee, Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee, Financial Services Committee, Judiciary Committee, Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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.
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Timeline
Jul 15, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-2113
Introduced in Senate
Jul 23, 2019
Introduced in House
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)
Aug 2, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.
Aug 6, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
  • July 15, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-2113
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 23, 2019
    Introduced in House


  • July 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.


  • July 23, 2019
    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (E965-966)


  • August 2, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.


  • August 6, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 116-292: Keep Families Together Act
  • S 116-662: Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2019
  • S 116-1733: Protecting Families and Improving Immigration Procedures Act
  • S 116-2113: Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAgingAppropriationsBorder security and unlawful immigrationChild care and developmentChild safety and welfareCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal justice information and recordsDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDepartment of Homeland SecurityDetention of personsDisability and paralysisDomestic violence and child abuseEmployment and training programsFamily relationshipsGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment studies and investigationsHealth technology, devices, suppliesImmigrant health and welfareImmigration status and proceduresJudgesJudicial procedure and administrationLaw enforcement officersLawyers and legal servicesMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMembers of CongressMental healthNews media and reportingNutrition and dietPerformance measurementPrescription drugsPublic contracts and procurementRefugees, asylum, displaced personsSpecialized courtsWomen's health

Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act

USA116th CongressHR-3918| House 
| Updated: 8/6/2019
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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jul 15, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-2113
Introduced in Senate
Jul 23, 2019
Introduced in House
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)
Aug 2, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.
Aug 6, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
  • July 15, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-2113
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 23, 2019
    Introduced in House


  • July 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.


  • July 23, 2019
    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (E965-966)


  • August 2, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.


  • August 6, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Grace Meng

Grace Meng

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (33)
John Garamendi (Democratic)Barbara Lee (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Joseph P. Kennedy (Democratic)Sheila Jackson Lee (Democratic)Carolyn B. Maloney (Democratic)Debra A. Haaland (Democratic)C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (Democratic)Eliot L. Engel (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Bobby L. Rush (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Ann Kirkpatrick (Democratic)Peter A. DeFazio (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Mark DeSaulnier (Democratic)Gregory W. Meeks (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Peter J. Visclosky (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Brad Sherman (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)William R. Keating (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Earl Blumenauer (Democratic)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Grace F. Napolitano (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Homeland Security Committee, Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee, Financial Services Committee, Judiciary Committee, Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 116-292: Keep Families Together Act
  • S 116-662: Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2019
  • S 116-1733: Protecting Families and Improving Immigration Procedures Act
  • S 116-2113: Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAgingAppropriationsBorder security and unlawful immigrationChild care and developmentChild safety and welfareCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal justice information and recordsDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDepartment of Homeland SecurityDetention of personsDisability and paralysisDomestic violence and child abuseEmployment and training programsFamily relationshipsGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment studies and investigationsHealth technology, devices, suppliesImmigrant health and welfareImmigration status and proceduresJudgesJudicial procedure and administrationLaw enforcement officersLawyers and legal servicesMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMembers of CongressMental healthNews media and reportingNutrition and dietPerformance measurementPrescription drugsPublic contracts and procurementRefugees, asylum, displaced personsSpecialized courtsWomen's health