Bill > HR1202

This bill establishes comprehensive vetting standards for the placement of unaccompanied migrant children with sponsors in the United States. Under the proposed legislation, any potential sponsor must undergo a rigorous background check process that includes fingerprint checks, public records searches, sex offender registry checks, FBI criminal history checks, child abuse and neglect screenings, and state and local criminal record reviews. Additionally, all household members aged 18 and older must be similarly vetted. The bill prohibits releasing children to sponsors who are undocumented immigrants, with exceptions for biological parents, legal guardians, or relatives. The legislation mandates pre-release home visits and requires multiple unannounced post-release home visits over two years - specifically five unannounced visits in the first year and quarterly visits in the second year. The bill also requires retroactive vetting of all sponsors for children placed since January 20, 2021, and mandates monthly detailed reports to Congress about unaccompanied migrant children, including the number of children encountered, released, sponsored, and any efforts to track missing children. The goal of these provisions is to prevent human trafficking and ensure the safety of migrant children during the sponsorship placement process.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1202/all-info