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Congress·In Committee

Congress Proposes DNA Tests and $5,000 Bonds for Sponsors of Migrant Children

Migrant Child Safety Act

23 days ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Key Points

  • This bill would create much stricter rules for people who want to sponsor migrant children who arrive at the border alone. Before a child is released to a sponsor, the government would have to conduct an in-person home visit to make sure the environment is safe and stable.
  • Sponsors would have to provide a lot of personal information, including their Social Security number and immigration status. If a sponsor claims to be a relative, they would have to provide DNA test results or legal documents to prove the family connection.
  • The bill requires sponsors to pay a bond of at least $5,000. This money is meant to guarantee that the child shows up for all their future immigration court dates and follows all legal requirements.
  • If a sponsor is not a U.S. citizen, they would be required to wear an electronic monitoring device, such as a GPS monitor, for as long as the child’s immigration case is active in court.
  • The Department of Homeland Security would check the immigration status of all potential sponsors. If a sponsor is found to be in the country illegally, the government would consider starting the process to deport them.
  • To prevent children from being lost or exploited, the government must report a child as 'missing' to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children if they cannot reach the sponsor for a well-being check within 120 days.
ImmigrationCivil Rights

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Feb 12, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Feb 12, 2026

Introduced in House

Related News

3 articles
The Hill·about 2 years ago

GOP bill would require $5,000 bond for migrant child sponsors

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) led the introduction of a bill requiring migrant child sponsors to pay a $5,000 bond and provide Social Security numbers and immigration status. The legislation also mandates DNA testing to verify familial connections and ensure court attendance.

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NBC News·about 2 years ago

HHS to tighten vetting of sponsors of unaccompanied migrant children

The Biden administration is moving to tighten the vetting process for sponsors of unaccompanied migrant children following reports of labor exploitation. The move comes amid pressure from Republicans who have introduced legislation to mandate home visits, DNA testing, and financial bonds.

CL=
The Hill·over 1 year ago

House committee advances bill to tighten vetting for migrant child sponsors

The House Education and the Workforce Committee advanced the Migrant Child Safety Act, a bill requiring HHS to conduct in-person home visits and background checks before releasing unaccompanied minors to sponsors, aiming to prevent labor exploitation and ensure child safety.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Migrant Child Safety Act

Bill NumberHR 7538
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(5)
R: 5

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.