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Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act

USA116th CongressS-2113| Senate 
| Updated: 7/15/2019
Jeff Merkley

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (39)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Dianne Feinstein (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Patrick J. Leahy (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Thomas R. Carper (Democratic)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Robert P. Casey (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)Debbie Stabenow (Democratic)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Benjamin L. Cardin (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • 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
Introduced in Senate
Jul 15, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Aug 6, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-3918
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
  • July 15, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 15, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • August 6, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-3918
    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
  • HR 116-3918: 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 CongressS-2113| Senate 
| Updated: 7/15/2019
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
Introduced in Senate
Jul 15, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Aug 6, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-3918
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
  • July 15, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 15, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • August 6, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-3918
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Jeff Merkley

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (39)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Dianne Feinstein (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Patrick J. Leahy (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Thomas R. Carper (Democratic)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Robert P. Casey (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)Debbie Stabenow (Democratic)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Benjamin L. Cardin (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

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
  • HR 116-3918: 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