House Passes Kayla Hamilton Act Tightening Migrant Children Custody and Sponsor Rules

Received in the Senate.

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 201 (Roll no. 340). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5921-5922)

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 201 (Roll no. 340). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5921-5922)

HHS must consult Homeland Security and the Justice Department before making many placements

More agencies are involved in deciding where a child goes, which can slow releases but may catch safety risks that would otherwise be missed

For youth age 12+, HHS performs checks for gang-related tattoos/markings

Kids could be flagged for extra security based on markings, which may increase secure placements and disputes about misidentification

Secure-facility placements become mandatory for certain youth age 12+ who meet the bill’s triggers

More children may stay in locked settings for the length of immigration proceedings, and if removal is ordered, until removal happens

Sponsors must meet the new citizenship or lawful permanent resident requirement

Some children may not be allowed to live with relatives or family friends who lack that status, even if they are otherwise willing caregivers

HHS begins sharing expanded sponsor and household adult information with Homeland Security before placement

Sponsors should expect more data collection and more government cross-checks; some may avoid sponsoring due to privacy or immigration concerns