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Protection of Children Act of 2019

USA116th CongressHR-3940| House 
| Updated: 8/15/2019
John R. Carter

John R. Carter

Republican Representative

Texas

Foreign Affairs Committee, Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Protection of Children Act of 2019 This bill requires the removal of unaccompanied alien children in certain instances and amends related provisions. An immigration officer must return an unaccompanied child apprehended at a land border to the child's country of nationality or last habitual residence if the child (1) is not a victim of severe trafficking, and (2) does not have a credible fear of persecution. Currently, an immigration officer may return the child only if such criteria is met and the child is from a contiguous country and able to make an independent decision to withdraw a petition for admission into the United States. If the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has determined that an unaccompanied child is a victim of severe trafficking or has a credible fear of persecution and DHS seeks to remove that child, removal proceedings with a hearing before an immigration judge shall be held within 14 days of the determination. Such a child shall have access to counsel, to the greatest extent practicable, and at no expense to the government. (Currently, the statute does not prohibit the government from bearing the expenses for such counsel.) The bill extends and removes certain deadlines for transferring an unaccompanied alien child to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) custody. HHS, before placing a child with an individual, shall provide DHS with certain information about the individual. If the individual's immigration status is unknown, DHS shall investigate and initiate removal proceedings if the individual is unlawfully present.
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Timeline
Jul 24, 2019
Introduced in House
Jul 24, 2019
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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.
Aug 15, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
  • July 24, 2019
    Introduced in House


  • July 24, 2019
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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.


  • August 15, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 116-574: Equal Protection of Unaccompanied Minors Act
  • HR 116-586: Fix the Immigration Loopholes Act
Administrative remediesAdoption and foster careBorder security and unlawful immigrationCanadaChild safety and welfareCrimes against childrenCrime victimsDepartment of Homeland SecurityDetention of personsGovernment information and archivesHuman traffickingImmigration status and proceduresInternational law and treatiesLatin AmericaLawyers and legal servicesMexicoRefugees, asylum, displaced persons

Protection of Children Act of 2019

USA116th CongressHR-3940| House 
| Updated: 8/15/2019
Protection of Children Act of 2019 This bill requires the removal of unaccompanied alien children in certain instances and amends related provisions. An immigration officer must return an unaccompanied child apprehended at a land border to the child's country of nationality or last habitual residence if the child (1) is not a victim of severe trafficking, and (2) does not have a credible fear of persecution. Currently, an immigration officer may return the child only if such criteria is met and the child is from a contiguous country and able to make an independent decision to withdraw a petition for admission into the United States. If the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has determined that an unaccompanied child is a victim of severe trafficking or has a credible fear of persecution and DHS seeks to remove that child, removal proceedings with a hearing before an immigration judge shall be held within 14 days of the determination. Such a child shall have access to counsel, to the greatest extent practicable, and at no expense to the government. (Currently, the statute does not prohibit the government from bearing the expenses for such counsel.) The bill extends and removes certain deadlines for transferring an unaccompanied alien child to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) custody. HHS, before placing a child with an individual, shall provide DHS with certain information about the individual. If the individual's immigration status is unknown, DHS shall investigate and initiate removal proceedings if the individual is unlawfully present.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jul 24, 2019
Introduced in House
Jul 24, 2019
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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.
Aug 15, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
  • July 24, 2019
    Introduced in House


  • July 24, 2019
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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.


  • August 15, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
John R. Carter

John R. Carter

Republican Representative

Texas

Foreign Affairs Committee, Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • HR 116-574: Equal Protection of Unaccompanied Minors Act
  • HR 116-586: Fix the Immigration Loopholes Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesAdoption and foster careBorder security and unlawful immigrationCanadaChild safety and welfareCrimes against childrenCrime victimsDepartment of Homeland SecurityDetention of personsGovernment information and archivesHuman traffickingImmigration status and proceduresInternational law and treatiesLatin AmericaLawyers and legal servicesMexicoRefugees, asylum, displaced persons