109 HR 1172 IH: Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act of 2005
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-03-08
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act of 2005
.
(b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents
Sec. 2. Definitions
Title I—Custody, release, family reunification, and detention
Sec. 101. Procedures when encountering unaccompanied alien children
Sec. 102. Family reunification for unaccompanied alien children with relatives in the United States
Sec. 103. Appropriate conditions for detention of unaccompanied alien children
Sec. 104. Repatriated unaccompanied alien children
Sec. 105. Establishing the age of an unaccompanied alien child
Sec. 106. Effective date
Title II—Access by unaccompanied alien children to guardians ad litem and counsel
Sec. 201. Guardians ad litem
Sec. 202. Counsel
Sec. 203. Effective date; applicability
Title III—Strengthening policies for permanent protection of alien children
Sec. 301. Special immigrant juvenile visa
Sec. 302. Training for officials and certain private parties who come into contact with unaccompanied alien children
Sec. 303. Report
Sec. 304. Effective date
Title IV—Children refugee and asylum seekers
Sec. 401. Guidelines for children’s asylum claims
Sec. 402. Unaccompanied refugee children
Sec. 403. Exceptions for unaccompanied alien children in asylum and refugee-like circumstances
Title V—Authorization of appropriations
Sec. 501. Authorization of appropriations
Title VI—Amendments to the Homeland Security Act of 2002
Sec. 601. Additional responsibilities and powers of the Office of Refugee Resettlement with respect to unaccompanied alien children
Sec. 602. Technical corrections
Sec. 603. Effective date
2.
(a)In this Act:
(1)The term competent, in reference to counsel, means an attorney who—
(A)complies with the duties set forth in this Act;
(B)is a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any State, possession, territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia;
(C)is not under any order of any court suspending, enjoining, restraining, disbarring, or otherwise restricting the attorney in the practice of law; and
(D)is properly qualified to handle matters involving unaccompanied immigrant children or is working under the auspices of a qualified nonprofit organization that is experienced in handling such matters.
(2)The term Director means the Director of the Office.
(3)The term Directorate means the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security established by section 401 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 201).
(4)The term Office means the Office of Refugee Resettlement established by section 411 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1521).
(5)The term Secretary means the Secretary of Homeland Security.
(6)Unaccompanied alien childThe term unaccompanied alien child has the meaning given the term in section 462(g)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 279(g)(2)).
(7)The term voluntary agency means a private, nonprofit voluntary agency with expertise in meeting the cultural, developmental, or psychological needs of unaccompanied alien children, as certified by the Director.
(b)Amendments to the immigration and nationality actSection 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(51)The term unaccompanied alien child means a child who—
(A)has no lawful immigration status in the United States;
(B)has not attained the age of 18; and
(C)with respect to whom—
(i)there is no parent or legal guardian in the United States; or
(ii)no parent or legal guardian in the United States is able to provide care and physical custody.
(52)The term unaccompanied refugee children means persons described in paragraph (42) who—
(A)have not attained the age of 18; and
(B)with respect to whom there are no parents or legal guardians available to provide care and physical custody..
(c)A department or agency of a State, or an individual or entity appointed by a State court or juvenile court located in the United States, acting in loco parentis, shall not be considered a legal guardian for purposes of section 462 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 279) or this Act.
<enum>I</enum><header>Custody, release, family reunification, and detention</header>
<section id="H2AF5891E91E44DD1BD00D57BB506A156"><enum>101.</enum><header>Procedures when encountering unaccompanied alien children</header>
<subsection id="H613E1342791845FCA2C46BF7A4F4D3EC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Unaccompanied children found along the United States border or at United States ports of entry</header>
<paragraph id="H26103A7EFD28493CB400D1A456BC4EFD"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2), if an immigration officer finds an unaccompanied alien child who is described in paragraph (2) at a land border or port of entry of the United States and determines that such child is inadmissible under the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.</external-xref>), the officer shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H91397E81EF8F40F0AB22DA6BC005335"><enum>(A)</enum><text>permit such child to withdraw the child’s application for admission pursuant to section 235(a)(4) of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1225">8 U.S.C. 1225(a)(4)</external-xref>); and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9A0834D88B25444A80E17EF32C004348"><enum>(B)</enum><text>return such child to the child’s country of nationality or country of last habitual residence.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBA9F35DC9D0840CCB7D4651BFC2F6DBF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Special rule for contiguous countries</header>
<subparagraph id="HE087955E0BF34849A028845D59DEC6F8"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Any child who is a national or habitual resident of a country that is contiguous with the United States and that has an agreement in writing with the United States providing for the safe return and orderly repatriation of unaccompanied alien children who are nationals or habitual residents of such country shall be treated in accordance with paragraph (1), if a determination is made on a case-by-case basis that—</text>
<clause id="H3C145635D4494F0F9625B53138964C1F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>such child is a national or habitual resident of a country described in this subparagraph;</text></clause>
<clause id="HE9017CF953BD4C51B1C12F4050A4EF69"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>such child does not have a fear of returning to the child’s country of nationality or country of last habitual residence owing to a fear of persecution;</text></clause>
<clause id="HCC9099EF511E462F98920000CFD60007"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the return of such child to the child’s country of nationality or country of last habitual residence would not endanger the life or safety of such child; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HDB3815BF761E45CCBB25B2F68091FDA5"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the child is able to make an independent decision to withdraw the child’s application for admission due to age or other lack of capacity.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1103E6AEB05D4E859EFB0916E326176"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Right of consultation</header><text>Any child described in subparagraph (A) shall have the right, and shall be informed of that right in the child’s native language—</text>
<clause id="HC67525E0A9484618BF2C16F07348AC9D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to consult with a consular officer from the child’s country of nationality or country of last habitual residence prior to repatriation; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H722D80CA77B3453B92EEC5168562E6BA"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to consult, telephonically, with the Office.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4A619BB47BFC43A5915817883F93C8C1"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Rule for apprehensions at the border</header><text>The custody of unaccompanied alien children not described in paragraph (2) who are apprehended at the border of the United States or at a United States port of entry shall be treated in accordance with subsection (b).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H56BE353B5F1549B7BAAA8665E3A466FA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Care and custody of unaccompanied alien children found in the interior of the United States</header>
<paragraph id="HE8B0A9343B714AD3A6E9FDA9E7001E13"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Establishment of jurisdiction</header>
<subparagraph id="H82078AC6E25D4F3FB57F92BBB86D6CDE"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as otherwise provided under subparagraphs (B) and (C) and subsection (a), the care and custody of all unaccompanied alien children, including responsibility for their detention, where appropriate, shall be under the jurisdiction of the Office.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC9C53584CC054FBA815C3CFCD76FCFE"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exception for children who have committed crimes</header><text>Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Directorate shall retain or assume the custody and care of any unaccompanied alien child who—</text>
<clause id="H670D610318B44DAD92E0C6C166121763"><enum>(i)</enum><text>has been charged with any felony, excluding offenses proscribed by the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.</external-xref>), while such charges are pending; or</text></clause>
<clause id="H7B5A4309323749B2806BFE00D0D9ECF3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>has been convicted of any such felony.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1C36B74034E34EE18FDBAA8CE0000159"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Exception for children who threaten national security</header><text>Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Directorate shall retain or assume the custody and care of an unaccompanied alien child if the Secretary has substantial evidence, based on an individualized determination, that such child could personally endanger the national security of the United States.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBB19D4E73CEB4096ADE1EF4D967683"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Trafficking victims</header><text>For purposes of section 462 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/279">6 U.S.C. 279</external-xref>) and this Act, an unaccompanied alien child who is eligible for services authorized under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/106/386">Public Law 106–386</external-xref>), shall be considered to be in the custody of the Office.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H00DD101310FE481600C3A82274EB9CE5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Notification</header>
<subparagraph id="H50B6C47BBD5B426EBDBBB68C562D641E"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall promptly notify the Office upon—</text>
<clause id="H2836631C272F41828812B9F875D114B6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the apprehension of an unaccompanied alien child;</text></clause>
<clause id="HAF7F1A8183734880B8F362C0DAEB03C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the discovery that an alien in the custody of the Directorate is an unaccompanied alien child;</text></clause>
<clause id="H3438E6BA338A4AE8947ED000D3C2F352"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>any claim by an alien in the custody of the Directorate that such alien is under the age of 18; or</text></clause>
<clause id="H71E203A3F8134DC7BC35BC6983883B83"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>any suspicion that an alien in the custody of the Directorate who has claimed to be over the age of 18 is actually under the age of 18.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HFF59BAA899E44795B9CB245CE0EF73D5"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Special rule</header><text>In the case of an alien described in clause (iii) or (iv) of subparagraph (A), the Director shall make an age determination in accordance with section 105 and take whatever other steps are necessary to determine whether such alien is eligible for treatment under section 462 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/279">6 U.S.C. 279</external-xref>) or this Act.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA8A6C936219E4B9E914C4C60001C1B80"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Transfer of unaccompanied alien children</header>
<subparagraph id="H262EBC6D3D554467AB1F802095674E80"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Transfer to the office</header><text>The care and custody of an unaccompanied alien child shall be transferred to the Office—</text>
<clause id="H57BAA9A9337D4598914366E5F4CC2E2E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the case of a child not described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (1), not later than 72 hours after a determination is made that such child is an unaccompanied alien child;</text></clause>
<clause id="H80B57ECE85EE469DA329D76BEEAD8E84"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the case of a child whose custody and care has been retained or assumed by the Directorate pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (1), immediately following a determination that the child no longer meets the description set forth in such subparagraphs; or</text></clause>
<clause id="H7A907A426487497B91347F9214EDD71C"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>in the case of a child who was previously released to an individual or entity described in section 102(a)(1), upon a determination by the Director that such individual or entity is no longer able to care for the child.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4F16BF41E1BD402F873377F43C974675"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Transfer to the directorate</header><text>Upon determining that a child in the custody of the Office is described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (1), the Director shall transfer the care and custody of such child to the Directorate.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HFAC1A1A9E7674762AE0986A4456EBD9F"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Promptness of transfer</header><text>In the event of a need to transfer a child under this paragraph, the sending office shall make prompt arrangements to transfer such child and the receiving office shall make prompt arrangements to receive such child.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6AFF4E2337844EDA8B871927A143EE09"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Age determinations</header><text>In any case in which the age of an alien is in question and the resolution of questions about the age of such alien would affect the alien’s eligibility for treatment under section 462 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/279">6 U.S.C. 279</external-xref>) or this Act, a determination of whether or not such alien meets such age requirements shall be made by the Director in accordance with section 105.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H693583AC59194844A2E4E07E537157A3"><enum>102.</enum><header>Family reunification for unaccompanied alien children with relatives in the United States</header>
<subsection id="HAB42B7D0FE7641DD9304BCEA8D89012C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Placement authority</header>
<paragraph id="HF0F38F4CDF4E40BEAE5D118DE5D5BC50"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Order of preference</header><text>Subject to the discretion of the Director under paragraph (4), section 103(a)(2), and section 462(b)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/279">6 U.S.C. 279(b)(2)</external-xref>), an unaccompanied alien child in the custody of the Office shall be promptly placed with 1 of the following individuals or entities in the following order of preference:</text>
<subparagraph id="H77B99C7D155244D48806F67805F5B21F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A parent who seeks to establish custody, as described in paragraph (3)(A).</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD91234F17C4746C2995C8EB9A32C6285"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A legal guardian who seeks to establish custody, as described in paragraph (3)(A).</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC03F09BF7DAB485ABBBD949844E81F6D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>An adult relative.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8AA9CF19CD054DF89D69CDCB5F02E7D7"><enum>(D)</enum><text>An individual or entity designated by the parent or legal guardian that is capable and willing to care for the well-being of the child.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H53F0EEA9ACA048AFB0D6B63356BBECBF"><enum>(E)</enum><text>A State-licensed juvenile shelter, group home, or foster care program willing to accept physical custody of the child.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5898B49263B54BC6A891E57E00FD747F"><enum>(F)</enum><text>A qualified adult or entity seeking custody of the child when it appears that there is no other likely alternative to long-term detention and family reunification does not appear to be a reasonable alternative. For purposes of this subparagraph, the Office shall decide who is a qualified adult or entity and promulgate regulations in accordance with such decision.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE5537C10068F4D79000087527D847C46"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Suitability assessment</header><text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1), no unaccompanied alien child shall be placed with a person or entity unless a valid suitability assessment conducted by an agency of the State of the child’s proposed residence, by an agency authorized by that State to conduct such an assessment, or by an appropriate voluntary agency contracted with the Office to conduct such assessments, has found that the person or entity is capable of providing for the child’s physical and mental well-being.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC6CFB0AFF11246EAA4383D1E35BE4DF6"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Right of parent or legal guardian to custody of unaccompanied alien child</header>
<subparagraph id="HCB5DC0AA399C4724A2C0287FA3D065B7"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Placement with parent or legal guardian</header><text>If an unaccompanied alien child is placed with any person or entity other than a parent or legal guardian, and subsequent to that placement a parent or legal guardian seeks to establish custody, the Director shall—</text>
<clause id="HDF65BEC3E88F4BE7B03E72EE8859033F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>assess the suitability of placing the child with the parent or legal guardian; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HC0444816BFCB4AB680AE97BD6084E346"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>make a written determination on the child’s placement within 30 days.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3B8AF9ADD811427882F1BF1030BCE3F9"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this Act shall be construed to—</text>
<clause id="H91D9D7347DF940F9A7EDEADDD6E03DF"><enum>(i)</enum><text>supersede obligations under any treaty or other international agreement to which the United States is a party, including The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action, and the Declaration of the Rights of the Child; or</text></clause>
<clause id="H9681B2CEAE264C6D89CB69A7A66E7D44"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>limit any right or remedy under such international agreement.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H197A9563165643899D0600BA1E836C1D"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Protection from smugglers and traffickers</header>
<subparagraph id="H8A3A78E6C5AB487F959D8413A3D100C0"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Policies and programs</header>
<clause id="HA9F91661D1AA4CB8811E00AFD3E6599"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Director shall establish policies and programs to ensure that unaccompanied alien children are protected from smugglers, traffickers, or other persons seeking to victimize or otherwise engage such children in criminal, harmful, or exploitative activity.</text></clause>
<clause id="HCFFE31BDB8CE4A668F29A01D52524CA0"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Witness protection programs included</header><text>Programs established pursuant to clause (i) may include witness protection programs.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5AB07BBF2C3443D5B0B42849B587ABB8"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Criminal investigations and prosecutions</header><text>Any officer or employee of the Office or the Department of Homeland Security, and any grantee or contractor of the Office, who suspects any individual of involvement in any activity described in subparagraph (A) shall report such individual to Federal or State prosecutors for criminal investigation and prosecution.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4EA1EF758BF545ABA33F379E9B48DBEE"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Disciplinary action</header><text>Any officer or employee of the Office or the Department of Homeland Security, and any grantee or contractor of the Office, who suspects an attorney of involvement in any activity described in subparagraph (A) shall report the individual to the State bar association of which the attorney is a member, or to other appropriate disciplinary authorities, for appropriate disciplinary action, which may include private or public admonition or censure, suspension, or disbarment of the attorney from the practice of law.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H520CD06EE5284A2ABC2C626E08795700"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Grants and contracts</header><text>The Director may award grants to, and enter into contracts with, voluntary agencies to carry out this section or section 462 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/279">6 U.S.C. 279</external-xref>).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7069E6D5F58C4914A80480D6683CF3B8"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Reimbursement of state expenses</header><text>The Director may reimburse States for any expenses they incur in providing assistance to unaccompanied alien children who are served pursuant to this Act or section 462 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/279">6 U.S.C. 279</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD20CCAF142914CB2A04800F8ECAE15E6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Confidentiality</header><text>All information obtained by the Office relating to the immigration status of a person described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of subsection (a)(1) shall remain confidential and may be used only for the purposes of determining such person’s qualifications under subsection (a)(1).</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H40A1ECDA1A644FB79ECCF3CA14B57DB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Required disclosure</header><text>The Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide the information furnished under this section, and any other information derived from such furnished information, to—</text>
<paragraph id="H0043AB1E84BD4B089B3624E9FDDF448E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a duly recognized law enforcement entity in connection with an investigation or prosecution of an offense described in paragraph (2) or (3) of section 212(a) of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182(a)</external-xref>), when such information is requested in writing by such entity; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF51ACED640414906002274B758F5E110"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an official coroner for purposes of affirmatively identifying a deceased individual (whether or not such individual is deceased as a result of a crime).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H1BC16172EC2C48A88709F100964DD5A4"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Penalty</header><text>Whoever knowingly uses, publishes, or permits information to be examined in violation of this section shall be fined not more than $10,000.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H42B0E5F6537D4C3EA72F1BB8C3D72D19"><enum>103.</enum><header>Appropriate conditions for detention of unaccompanied alien children</header>
<subsection id="HFD90FBB5A6644EA9AC4026CBB0BF00F0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Standards for placement</header>
<paragraph id="H87BCE51A7FA44F4780B903BAA6C3AE42"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Prohibition of detention in certain facilities</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), an unaccompanied alien child shall not be placed in an adult detention facility or a facility housing delinquent children.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA8C73E86D7F3411FA6004270443C475E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Detention in appropriate facilities</header><text>An unaccompanied alien child who has exhibited a violent or criminal behavior that endangers others may be detained in conditions appropriate to such behavior in a facility appropriate for delinquent children.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H735B68CAAD1E46C4B0FCCB06D870CC34"><enum>(3)</enum><header>State licensure</header><text>A child shall not be placed with an entity described in section 102(a)(1)(E), unless the entity is licensed by an appropriate State agency to provide residential, group, child welfare, or foster care services for dependent children.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFCD2A69E56CA4428B2DCBA6EBCAAD7"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Conditions of detention</header>
<subparagraph id="HCA3FAEF0E3034D42B28591E2C1D0E94C"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Director and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall promulgate regulations incorporating standards for conditions of detention in such placements that provide for—</text>
<clause id="H2A3F7068F30B4660B9D67F04EB068382"><enum>(i)</enum><text>educational services appropriate to the child;</text></clause>
<clause id="H9E481FAF53A64E48BF10E25B174D60D9"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>medical care;</text></clause>
<clause id="H37EDDE2E6DC2497DA37D52D228DDBAE9"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>mental health care, including treatment of trauma, physical and sexual violence, or abuse;</text></clause>
<clause id="HB6710C69641F43659FF2DF69F82F5F"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>access to telephones;</text></clause>
<clause id="HED8395D4B359489DBD5845FA5446B291"><enum>(v)</enum><text>access to legal services;</text></clause>
<clause id="HFB88E704AD9A42EA8B7B6BF749C50512"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>access to interpreters;</text></clause>
<clause id="H1DDA43928169460CA5C0B14BCB600274"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>supervision by professionals trained in the care of children, taking into account the special cultural, linguistic, and experiential needs of children in immigration proceedings;</text></clause>
<clause id="H41D86A18B4DF48CFAEECF6A1008ED8C8"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>recreational programs and activities;</text></clause>
<clause id="H210849CB5E6544EE9399AF402CA7D233"><enum>(ix)</enum><text>spiritual and religious needs; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HECA94514E824403EAC108B511DBB9BFC"><enum>(x)</enum><text>dietary needs.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HCE8FBD8964C742608212DFA776EE3483"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Notification of children</header><text>Regulations promulgated under subparagraph (A) shall provide that all children are notified of such standards orally and in writing in the child’s native language.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HA53AE4384AEC42A4B873B36D27853582"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Prohibition of certain practices</header><text>The Director and the Secretary shall develop procedures prohibiting the unreasonable use of—</text>
<paragraph id="H1D1D18FFFCB74CB7004426B638F85BBA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shackling, handcuffing, or other restraints on children;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDD1B8BDD902846E593D8CE44148DFDF9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>solitary confinement; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD488AF4081C541BF8925F1DCE311C050"><enum>(3)</enum><text>pat or strip searches.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8B4DDE40AC134D5CA2365061C897ACBF"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede procedures favoring release of children to appropriate adults or entities or placement in the least secure setting possible, as defined in the Stipulated Settlement Agreement under Flores v. Reno.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H8B7A5EC05F15437AA12D30B9D4B1CD3C"><enum>104.</enum><header>Repatriated unaccompanied alien children</header>
<subsection id="HC4ADFE39F23D4149A56BCAA7C7336500"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Country conditions</header>
<paragraph id="H49DD50C72A7247288986896120DDAF58"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Sense of congress</header><text>It is the sense of Congress that, to the extent consistent with the treaties and other international agreements to which the United States is a party, and to the extent practicable, the United States Government should undertake efforts to ensure that it does not repatriate children in its custody into settings that would threaten the life and safety of such children.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2A73CB4A135542FA88C35B0156F2298"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Assessment of conditions</header>
<subparagraph id="H3E6D2F6165E44380B735AEEC62F052FB"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices published by the Department of State shall contain an assessment of the degree to which each country protects children from smugglers and traffickers.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8D2E745305264E5A00DC2BC5C801F592"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Factors for assessment</header><text>The Directorate shall consult the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and the Trafficking in Persons Report in assessing whether to repatriate an unaccompanied alien child to a particular country.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD30CD724BA4B4A12BC7F8DC87809E852"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report on repatriation of unaccompanied alien children</header>
<paragraph id="H00E18A6D8F5A4A3C912F00EE5F7CA573"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives on efforts to repatriate unaccompanied alien children.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H857E2BF6C7D3440E8054681EEE491755"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H39E1D090FAB940D38ECBC9548A014B1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the number of unaccompanied alien children ordered removed and the number of such children actually removed from the United States;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9785BC6F3BD5406D9B1221D545682B6C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a description of the type of immigration relief sought and denied to such children;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB6D61DA658C24E44BC5D2D75975BE9BB"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a statement of the nationalities, ages, and gender of such children;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H218B9C85B69147B8B7B208549DCDE3D"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a description of the procedures used to effect the removal of such children from the United States;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC7E1736B6EF3474C94B600DCC8A11BD7"><enum>(E)</enum><text>a description of steps taken to ensure that such children were safely and humanely repatriated to their country of origin; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4F930A4305D5484FB18D50CE85F7BE39"><enum>(F)</enum><text>any information gathered in assessments of country and local conditions pursuant to subsection (a)(2).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H12BF051B333E4EF8BA7872D4F25D796"><enum>105.</enum><header>Establishing the age of an unaccompanied alien child</header>
<subsection id="H040C71A3731344B1A38CE662ED35854D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Procedures</header>
<paragraph id="H91F869D060BA4708BCF052CF56748F53"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Director shall develop procedures to make a prompt determination of the age of an alien in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security or the Office, when the age of the alien is at issue.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD0E391E6B4314802A8279432003D957E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Evidence</header><text>The procedures developed under paragraph (1) shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H7257A370D19640F9ACE0BAB1ABC2BF4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>permit the presentation of multiple forms of evidence, including testimony of the child, to determine the age of the unaccompanied alien for purposes of placement, custody, parole, and detention; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAF2DAE0E7891494600E600825EB16DCB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>allow the appeal of a determination to an immigration judge.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9E32C8BB3AC34BEBA5ADFB4F4B97DE6"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Access to alien</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall permit the Office to have reasonable access to aliens in the custody of the Secretary so as to ensure a prompt determination of the age of such alien.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H24305C7DF76C49F5818868941102A81"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Prohibition on sole means of determining age</header><text>Radiographs or the attestation of an alien shall not be used as the sole means of determining age for the purposes of determining an alien’s eligibility for treatment under this Act or section 462 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/279">6 U.S.C. 279</external-xref>).</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HF024B16F2E614C5FA0DA9CCA0047AD46"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this section shall be construed to place the burden of proof in determining the age of an alien on the government.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H0289C24F09B54104A8D85430D9941B63"><enum>106.</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title shall take effect on the date which is 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></section>
<enum>II</enum><header>Access by unaccompanied alien children to guardians ad litem and counsel</header>
<section id="HA14BD2941BD84CC5953B9517C927A3B6"><enum>201.</enum><header>Guardians ad litem</header>
<subsection id="H5098E8B330A140369ECAE060DCDC98E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of guardian ad litem program</header>
<paragraph id="HD806CE97DA9F45518EF445D05C592FE4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Appointment</header><text>The Director may appoint a guardian ad litem, who meets the qualifications described in paragraph (2), for an unaccompanied alien child. The Director is encouraged, wherever practicable, to contract with a voluntary agency for the selection of an individual to be appointed as a guardian ad litem under this paragraph.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBE9279B539FB4196BE591B7B10BAD831"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Qualifications of guardian ad litem</header>
<subparagraph id="HFB9D60B71BDF4F23ADED68AFCA420053"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>No person shall serve as a guardian ad litem unless such person—</text>
<clause id="H6A1A09F104434BDDBE67B1EDABE76040"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is a child welfare professional or other individual who has received training in child welfare matters; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HB58CA3623E964F6E944D99009E2D748D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>possesses special training on the nature of problems encountered by unaccompanied alien children.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE304F512CD1E46FD83C76B93A4089F22"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text>A guardian ad litem shall not be an employee of the Directorate, the Office, or the Executive Office for Immigration Review.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF56F86B60E3A4C61A850CF5D8FEE3800"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>The guardian ad litem shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="HA9B196F862884FF196B69FC22C4AD95"><enum>(A)</enum><text>conduct interviews with the child in a manner that is appropriate, taking into account the child’s age;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H05B5F4075B7149609C60B686918C14FB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>investigate the facts and circumstances relevant to the child’s presence in the United States, including facts and circumstances—</text>
<clause id="HB7129CB5B7044AB6BA99CEC5B528FA4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>arising in the country of the child’s nationality or last habitual residence; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HC98EC80DBEB24C4691986D85A607A5E5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>arising subsequent to the child’s departure from such country;</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H957563BB34054D959FB033D357ECD77C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>work with counsel to identify the child’s eligibility for relief from removal or voluntary departure by sharing with counsel information collected under subparagraph (B);</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDD1CB2E6A81441ABAEE06B60E7BE6493"><enum>(D)</enum><text>develop recommendations on issues relative to the child’s custody, detention, release, and repatriation;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF24F4C8FE6324D458D9D116086493900"><enum>(E)</enum><text>take reasonable steps to ensure that—</text>
<clause id="H24F765570F454DE880FCCA699C57CAA5"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the best interests of the child are promoted while the child participates in, or is subject to, proceedings or matters under the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.</external-xref>);</text></clause>
<clause id="HE10DE4B4AD7D449B9633E7D05B816BB2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the child understands the nature of the legal proceedings or matters and determinations made by the court, and that all information is conveyed to the child in an age-appropriate manner; and</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H68EEBC7586F8445892BB014655E7A3D6"><enum>(F)</enum><text>report factual findings relating to—</text>
<clause id="H913FCAA584DF46F4BE4B35A5554528A0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>information collected under subparagraph (B);</text></clause>
<clause id="HA2B6E9B1F2084822964B13BA67D1119"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the care and placement of the child during the pendency of the proceedings or matters; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H2487EE43F14243E8B53F24EF811EF83F"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>any other information collected under subparagraph (D).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H703FE7730BE2466185B24557061775DC"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Termination of appointment</header><text>The guardian ad litem shall carry out the duties described in paragraph (3) until the earliest of the date on which—</text>
<subparagraph id="HDAD1E3FBE3154B8AA700F00011F4817C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>those duties are completed;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE5ACEDDE63024EA1AA96C465B642E8E5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the child departs the United States;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB6AA222C075E4BEBB9926EB8A373E73"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the child is granted permanent resident status in the United States;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H82DDDE12B7184CAF8E7961DBD8961914"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the child attains the age of 18; or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAA9E07095924448A9C88FF20FC724275"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the child is placed in the custody of a parent or legal guardian.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H900BC18C96154768A2005F46D7E000C7"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Powers</header><text>The guardian ad litem—</text>
<subparagraph id="H1CFA67138C784A8292517300B2498383"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall have reasonable access to the child, including access while such child is being held in detention or in the care of a foster family;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3C0AFA52285F4D24A43D6CD1A913DBAC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall be permitted to review all records and information relating to such proceedings that are not deemed privileged or classified;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H03DFA282A4E4427CA917C17D06530154"><enum>(C)</enum><text>may seek independent evaluations of the child;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6A631140E6E5403C8DB410008D415CD"><enum>(D)</enum><text>shall be notified in advance of all hearings or interviews involving the child that are held in connection with proceedings or matters under the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.</external-xref>), and shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be present at such hearings or interviews;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3B671671461046F289948594129BF400"><enum>(E)</enum><text>shall be permitted to consult with the child during any hearing or interview involving such child; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H23923AE232B2442FA08C682834D9352D"><enum>(F)</enum><text>shall be provided at least 24 hours advance notice of a transfer of that child to a different placement, absent compelling and unusual circumstances warranting the transfer of such child before such notification.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H210FD8B13C2B455194956418774C8BF1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Training</header>
<paragraph id="HEA7940E7E04142188E93F38E8C5B966C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Director shall provide professional training for all persons serving as guardians ad litem under this section.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC948B12F0AC9431AA9D4EC28CDE398E5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Training topics</header><text>The training provided under paragraph (1) shall include training in—</text>
<subparagraph id="H46C9FE766BB84F81B6B0A0B6CEABC03F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the circumstances and conditions that unaccompanied alien children face; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDAA98097D68E46D98C2109DCC1854E1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>various immigration benefits for which such alien child might be eligible.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HF6A78FCB6D154B66A41BB907039CC517"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Pilot program</header>
<paragraph id="HC39446BCF535427E9F8E13BF34D73776"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall establish and begin to carry out a pilot program to test the implementation of subsection (a).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB5275C233CC64387B722F6208DB16843"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The purpose of the pilot program established under paragraph (1) is to—</text>
<subparagraph id="HC67FD87FFF1444AF98703D85BAF932B6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>study and assess the benefits of providing guardians ad litem to assist unaccompanied alien children involved in immigration proceedings or matters;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H094B5FA422704385BF288EAC45AB506B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>assess the most efficient and cost-effective means of implementing the guardian ad litem provisions in this section; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD86F2DAC3DEB4603846E0005F17806D1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>assess the feasibility of implementing such provisions on a nationwide basis for all unaccompanied alien children in the care of the Office.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1B4AFEBC71604D789579D67ED96156FE"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Scope of program</header>
<subparagraph id="H4148E390ECB14D5EAD305FDF96E78265"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Selection of site</header><text>The Director shall select 3 sites in which to operate the pilot program established under paragraph (1).</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H87429549EE9C48898F1BC64019ECC68D"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Number of children</header><text>To the greatest extent possible, each site selected under subparagraph (A) should have at least 25 children held in immigration custody at any given time.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2A30305214BA448E00FA2F39C912DAEB"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Report to congress</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date on which the first pilot program site is established under paragraph (1), the Director shall submit a report on the achievement of the purposes described in paragraph (2) to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H0D990DB8C2C4496CB1ECC089C4044216"><enum>202.</enum><header>Counsel</header>
<subsection id="H8C3FC0B128214C5088FEEED040A2BE0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Access to counsel</header>
<paragraph id="H4AC853377AAE4B3EA78D441F794685FA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Director should ensure that all unaccompanied alien children in the custody of the Office or the Directorate, who are not described in section 101(a)(2), have competent counsel to represent them in immigration proceedings or matters.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H79CBF7FE71E24B099FD5006EBD4A081"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Pro bono representation</header><text>To the maximum extent practicable, the Director should—</text>
<subparagraph id="H134D6C5C6C0B457CADAA4BC45E87C20"><enum>(A)</enum><text>make every effort to utilize the services of competent pro bono counsel who agree to provide representation to such children without charge; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC69FBFCE7D3144CCB45B1962FF60F8F4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>ensure that placements made under subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F) of section 102(a)(1) are in cities where there is a demonstrated capacity for competent pro bono representation.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4D8DFBF49DAF412B00C12D26BA2EF6E"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Development of necessary infrastructures and systems</header><text>In ensuring that legal representation is provided to unaccompanied alien children, the Director shall develop the necessary mechanisms to identify entities available to provide such legal assistance and representation and to recruit such entities.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBA1F1986EDE9463900BAA93411476C84"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Contracting and grant making authority</header>
<subparagraph id="HBADDCCE2170041F7BB2456631BEBD08C"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Director shall enter into contracts with, or award grants to, nonprofit agencies with relevant expertise in the delivery of immigration-related legal services to children in order to carry out the responsibilities of this Act, including providing legal orientation, screening cases for referral, recruiting, training, and overseeing pro bono attorneys.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3E593B5021C04C429FAAF39D68374167"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Subcontracting</header><text>Nonprofit agencies may enter into subcontracts with, or award grants to, private voluntary agencies with relevant expertise in the delivery of immigration-related legal services to children in order to carry out this subsection.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6DC6CCDFBD4D4AF584EDDEE272D8BF94"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Considerations regarding grants and contracts</header><text>In awarding grants and entering into contracts with agencies under this paragraph, the Director shall take into consideration the capacity of the agencies in question to properly administer the services covered by such grants or contracts without an undue conflict of interest.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEA509F8939394E0FA6C42463B66C2F5E"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Model guidelines on legal representation of children</header>
<subparagraph id="H344FA1214E674EF6A6F561A0DA859DEB"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Development of guidelines</header><text>The Executive Office for Immigration Review, in consultation with voluntary agencies and national experts, shall develop model guidelines for the legal representation of alien children in immigration proceedings. Such guidelines shall be based on the children’s asylum guidelines, the American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct, and other relevant domestic or international sources.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1744770E442C4A12B530FE2C753E373"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Purpose of guidelines</header><text>The guidelines developed under subparagraph (A) shall be designed to help protect each child from any individual suspected of involvement in any criminal, harmful, or exploitative activity associated with the smuggling or trafficking of children, while ensuring the fairness of the removal proceeding in which the child is involved.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE65A16506681449288EC5636E6ED5211"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Implementation</header><text>The Executive Office for Immigration Review shall adopt the guidelines developed under subparagraph (A) and submit the guidelines for adoption by national, State, and local bar associations.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HF09629A619C449F3B73510E2A648E05"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>Counsel shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H7F36C5A413CA4BA2B72B95E122CFCB74"><enum>(1)</enum><text>represent the unaccompanied alien child in all proceedings and matters relating to the immigration status of the child or other actions involving the Directorate;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFCE0717645824E0F8FB8E785641F1921"><enum>(2)</enum><text>appear in person for all individual merits hearings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review and interviews involving the Directorate; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H12A62E6076244F2F866EB1EA00DCB8A0"><enum>(3)</enum><text>owe the same duties of undivided loyalty, confidentiality, and competent representation to the child as is due an adult client.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HED4416CCC00949DFA5610087B031DB36"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Access to child</header>
<paragraph id="HAE3DDE07C435473380248F9CAF4D6517"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Counsel shall have reasonable access to the unaccompanied alien child, including access while the child is being held in detention, in the care of a foster family, or in any other setting that has been determined by the Office.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE742F940359B4E5D863466CBB9BCCFA4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Restriction on transfers</header><text>Absent compelling and unusual circumstances, no child who is represented by counsel shall be transferred from the child’s placement to another placement unless advance notice of at least 24 hours is made to counsel of such transfer.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H7DDD46894FC3412AB111BF39A0EE1362"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Notice to counsel during immigration proceedings</header>
<paragraph id="H0971F020F3A64CC0BA7D3B59AFE3A8A2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except when otherwise required in an emergency situation involving the physical safety of the child, counsel shall be given prompt and adequate notice of all immigration matters affecting or involving an unaccompanied alien child, including adjudications, proceedings, and processing, before such actions are taken.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0923F5C620EE4BF48EDBFDDD6828F9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Opportunity to consult with counsel</header><text>An unaccompanied alien child in the custody of the Office may not give consent to any immigration action, including consenting to voluntary departure, unless first afforded an opportunity to consult with counsel.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HA20EBFBB925946C4B875CBB532000019"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Access to recommendations of guardian ad litem</header><text>Counsel shall be given an opportunity to review the recommendation by the guardian ad litem affecting or involving a client who is an unaccompanied alien child.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HA189670A852945BBA408A690AC755DFE"><enum>203.</enum><header>Effective date; applicability</header>
<subsection id="H443FE41834C24A1BA390E26CA698F121"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This title shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H04177B54F9764B98BF1D17A80453489C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Applicability</header><text>The provisions of this title shall apply to all unaccompanied alien children in Federal custody on, before, or after the effective date of this title.</text></subsection></section>
<enum>III</enum><header>Strengthening policies for permanent protection of alien children</header>
<section id="H22D5DD8762884E149F70E5F4775A0D8"><enum>301.</enum><header>Special immigrant juvenile visa</header>
<subsection id="H3C455D86A7EE4D27AC39D2D801E9C977"><enum>(a)</enum><header>J visa</header><text>Section 101(a)(27)(J) of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(J)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block act-name="Immigration and Nationality Act" id="HD8A8F6505E4B493D96410029DC042C07">
<subparagraph id="HB3A4A1AC8CC44F9380FBA1E3A1E600BA" indent="up1"><enum>(J)</enum><text>an immigrant, who is 18 years of age or younger on the date of application and who is present in the United States—</text>
<clause id="HBD307333FB474B5A852EFE27BF3D27E9"><enum>(i)</enum><text>who by a court order, which shall be binding on the Secretary of Homeland Security for purposes of adjudications under this subparagraph, was declared dependent on a juvenile court located in the United States or whom such a court has legally committed to, or placed under the custody of, a department or agency of a State, or an individual or entity appointed by a State or juvenile court located in the United States, due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis found under State law;</text></clause>
<clause id="H7F837BC3E87743D0A1B60024A72033B1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>for whom it has been determined in administrative or judicial proceedings that it would not be in the alien’s best interest to be returned to the alien’s or parent’s previous country of nationality or country of last habitual residence; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HCD7F164628E5470D9415C84122642ECB"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>with respect to a child in Federal custody, for whom the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the Department of Health and Human Services has certified to the Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services that the classification of an alien as a special immigrant under this subparagraph has not been made solely to provide an immigration benefit to that alien,</text></clause><continuation-text continuation-text-level="subparagraph">except that no natural parent or prior adoptive parent of any alien provided special immigrant status under this subparagraph shall thereafter, by virtue of such parentage, be accorded any right, privilege, or status under this Act;</continuation-text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H6222DAC14D0F4F85BA62F777DB023D3D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Adjustment of status</header><text>Section 245(h)(2)(A) of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1255">8 U.S.C. 1255(h)(2)(A)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block act-name="Immigration and Nationality Act" id="H123B46AE0D0241459DE74EB662B814BA">
<subparagraph id="H27153D0FC8384E07A0C882F9A4463F60"><enum>(A)</enum><text>paragraphs (4), (5)(A), (6)(A), and (7) of section 212(a) shall not apply; and</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection>
<subsection id="H32A51AC50F6E4AAC89089311001B22AA"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Eligibility for assistance</header><text>A child who has been granted relief under section 101(a)(27)(J) of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(J)</external-xref>), shall be eligible for all funds made available under section 412(d) of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1522">8 U.S.C. 1522(d)</external-xref>) until such time as the child attains the age designated in section 412(d)(2)(B) of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1522">8 U.S.C. 1522(d)(2)(B)</external-xref>), or until the child is placed in a permanent adoptive home, whichever occurs first.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HEB6596E637C7417C81A4048801632E71"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Transition rule</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any child described in section 101(a)(27)(J) of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(J)</external-xref>) who filed an application for a visa before the date of enactment of this Act and who was 19, 20, or 21 years of age on the date such application was filed shall not be denied a visa after the date of enactment of this Act because of such alien’s age.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HB87999FA1C4A4DEA9069EFDF06919465"><enum>302.</enum><header>Training for officials and certain private parties who come into contact with unaccompanied alien children</header>
<subsection id="H7AFC4B72E8B747149F7988E9A6485122"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Training of state and local officials and certain private parties</header>
<paragraph id="H829CD7D317F14A7F95B850E500DF0353"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting jointly with the Secretary, shall provide appropriate training to State and county officials, child welfare specialists, teachers, public counsel, and juvenile judges who come into contact with unaccompanied alien children.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H413DE9366FEF4C1BBFF7F900979C38CE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Curriculum</header><text>The training shall provide education on the processes pertaining to unaccompanied alien children with pending immigration status and on the forms of relief potentially available. The Director shall be responsible for establishing a core curriculum that can be incorporated into education, training, or orientation modules or formats that are currently used by these professionals.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H2561030E7BA948BB9C8794925F6712D1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Training of directorate personnel</header><text>The Secretary, acting jointly with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall provide specialized training to all personnel of the Directorate who come into contact with unaccompanied alien children. Training for Border Patrol agents and immigration inspectors shall include specific training on identifying children at the United States borders or at United States ports of entry who have been victimized by smugglers or traffickers, and children for whom asylum or special immigrant relief may be appropriate, including children described in section 101(a)(2).</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HD3CBAABA55CA454EA673199F25801442"><enum>303.</enum><header>Report</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit a report for the previous fiscal year to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives that contains—</text>
<paragraph id="H9FAF28A55839427CBAC7002571AAEB63"><enum>(1)</enum><text>data related to the implementation of section 462 of the Homeland Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/279">6 U.S.C. 279</external-xref>);</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4DCB68DF8BBE4EB28B29911F7C90CEA6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>data regarding the care and placement of children in accordance with this Act;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H64D19C858A2F4408939721BEBA3DB08B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>data regarding the provision of guardian ad litem and counsel services under this Act; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFE1AEF203441464300942C64E01331CA"><enum>(4)</enum><text>any other information that the Director or the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines to be appropriate.</text></paragraph></section>
<section id="HB46952B5863C493AAE74C2BCEBFB09C"><enum>304.</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The amendment made by section 301 shall apply to all aliens who were in the United States before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></section>
<enum>IV</enum><header>Children refugee and asylum seekers</header>
<section id="HA01239A02AD34B8E85B882C23CEC9216"><enum>401.</enum><header>Guidelines for Children’s Asylum Claims</header>
<subsection id="H5514EAD9917C47D386B8ACE195361159"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Sense of congress</header><text>Congress commends the Immigration and Naturalization Service for its issuance of its <quote>Guidelines for Children’s Asylum Claims</quote>, dated December 1998, and encourages and supports the implementation of such guidelines by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (and its successor entities) in an effort to facilitate the handling of children’s asylum claims. Congress calls upon the Executive Office for Immigration Review of the Department of Justice to adopt the <quote>Guidelines for Children’s Asylum Claims</quote> in its handling of children’s asylum claims before immigration judges and the Board of Immigration Appeals.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H44ED38BD9A134B34A1236721D362C4EE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Training</header><text>The Secretary shall provide periodic comprehensive training under the <quote>Guidelines for Children’s Asylum Claims</quote> to asylum officers, immigration judges, members of the Board of Immigration Appeals, and immigration officers who have contact with children in order to familiarize and sensitize such officers to the needs of children asylum seekers. Voluntary agencies shall be allowed to assist in such training.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HDDA303013F1D4A7B895176329F92A108"><enum>402.</enum><header>Unaccompanied refugee children</header>
<subsection id="H935DC29F981F43CE8B23E4EB5AC300"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Identifying unaccompanied refugee children</header><text>Section 207(e) of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1157">8 U.S.C. 1157(e)</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H982E3F5078224113A4C765CB93665B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7) as paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8), respectively; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAD95FF5BF5924FE992EE5F7544185861"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H00505E5F18484E938EEDE8B19F55B74">
<paragraph id="H1B8B01056CC44DF5B7E0001D624C6F89"><enum>(3)</enum><text>An analysis of the worldwide situation faced by unaccompanied refugee children, by region, which shall include an assessment of—</text>
<subparagraph id="H694B78F3BE55406087EF761EFE79957B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the number of unaccompanied refugee children, by region;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H08803163A3E54779991738E6C100FCAD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the capacity of the Department of State to identify such refugees;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H51541E818ED745B99D00702948512684"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the capacity of the international community to care for and protect such refugees;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1E529255A6EC4C599339DE12291D492B"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the capacity of the voluntary agency community to resettle such refugees in the United States;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H51E6F056B4E549CFA92E0029CC2504AD"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the degree to which the United States plans to resettle such refugees in the United States in the coming fiscal year; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDCC0B59FA1F64144AB19CA29BB1856C3"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the fate that will befall such unaccompanied refugee children for whom resettlement in the United States is not possible.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HFBA48D6B39194338A5C1D37FD1F79DC8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Training on the needs of unaccompanied refugee children</header><text>Section 207(f)(2) of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1157">8 U.S.C. 1157(f)(2)</external-xref>) is amended by—</text>
<paragraph id="H7146124A02D84326B62FB5E69674D3BC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>striking <quote>and</quote> after <quote>countries,</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2F6701A8A0E34A7F974B40A9CE5B449D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>inserting before the period at the end the following: <quote>, and instruction on the needs of unaccompanied refugee children</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H9A563A4C785D48BBAC98062FC353DF84"><enum>403.</enum><header>Exceptions for unaccompanied alien children in asylum and refugee-like circumstances</header>
<subsection id="H596FA83C0C7A4111AE186CA62E1E1E64"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Placement in removal proceedings</header><text>Any unaccompanied alien child apprehended by the Directorate, except for an unaccompanied alien child subject to exceptions under paragraph (1)(A) or (2) of section (101)(a), shall be placed in removal proceedings under section 240 of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1229a">8 U.S.C. 1229a</external-xref>).</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HCA854A50E3CA454592519200F7D691CE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Exception from time limit for filing asylum application</header><text>Section 208(a)(2) of the <act-name parsable-cite="INA">Immigration and Nationality Act</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1158">8 U.S.C. 1158(a)(2)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block act-name="Immigration and Nationality Act" id="H40714C4828B94A379CF62B740000DA3F">
<subparagraph id="HCC666118A1274FC0870056F11E501D45"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Applicability</header><text>Subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall not apply to an unaccompanied alien child as defined in section 101(a)(51).</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<enum>V</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header>
<section id="H00A6C62D14584511BB3008C9F14FB5FA"><enum>501.</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header>
<subsection id="H9442F68C7B0A42F59336001200CD84A1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Health and Human Services, such sums as may be necessary to carry out—</text>
<paragraph id="HA1E8D002ED9D4B33BC34E8BDF9000070"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the provisions of section 462 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/279">6 U.S.C. 279</external-xref>); and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4A8273D7367F4D02BCF54500FFB2BC9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the provisions of this Act.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6F6DD7E23163488881583397E4D7C2D8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Availability of funds</header><text>Amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) shall remain available until expended.</text></subsection></section>
<enum>VI</enum><header>Amendments to the Homeland Security Act of 2002</header>
<section id="H71AD254D5E4146CD80EEE23B830062F6"><enum>601.</enum><header>Additional responsibilities and powers of the Office of Refugee Resettlement with respect to unaccompanied alien children</header>
<subsection id="HAF7EFD5790154BE89694B4D65DABE00"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Additional responsibilities of the director</header><text>Section 462(b)(1) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/279">6 U.S.C. 279(b)(1)</external-xref>) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H684B1E9903D84D29B4BDFE8EB63D19D4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph (K), by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3669C1CA7BEF4C61B8322070221C79E7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph (L), by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>, including regular follow-up visits to such facilities, placements, and other entities, to assess the continued suitability of such placements; and</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD8132F834F624313B37132F3FF3A5EF"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H1198602C967E415EA67F45BC184EB811">
<subparagraph id="HCA26BE69F983421DAA4E14AED740E2C"><enum>(M)</enum><text>ensuring minimum standards of care for all unaccompanied alien children—</text>
<clause id="H48C31C4D18C341C1B535E6F2828D7450"><enum>(i)</enum><text>for whom detention is necessary; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H249A84CF51D24B76A5AF580800ACF7D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>who reside in settings that are alternative to detention.</text></clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H39CE9B6770594440AC7D0849EFB8075C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Additional powers of the director</header><text>Section 462(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/279">6 U.S.C. 279(b)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H58D1F6EC22ED4603829D78359DA5B900">
<paragraph id="H7C4270516F8D45BFBE1BDFB000590F0"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Authority</header><text>In carrying out the duties under paragraph (3), the Director is authorized to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H0C162B32AD01487F90AD5E91F9744FB7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>contract with service providers to perform the services described in sections 102, 103, 201, and 202 of the Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act of 2005; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE4555BA60D044172A7CB00CACEB6EBAB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>compel compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in section 103 of the Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act of 2005, including the power to—</text>
<clause id="H2CA26C3E81C44B89924E305DBF1DDD38"><enum>(i)</enum><text>declare providers to be in breach and seek damages for noncompliance;</text></clause>
<clause id="H347182DAB47744EA878EEAF600F03DA6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>terminate the contracts of providers that are not in compliance with such conditions; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H843B63E4E3E7417190782869D0F12F06"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>reassign any unaccompanied alien child to a similar facility that is in compliance with such section.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section>
<section id="H8C80F85333784D2CA7BAA034AA9CEBE6"><enum>602.</enum><header>Technical corrections</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 462(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/279">6 U.S.C. 279(b)</external-xref>), as amended by section 601, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H3B94CC94630D49FA93A859FF57FC50BF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (3), by striking <quote>paragraph (1)(G)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraph (1)</quote>; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5494CDFEEAF64B58803627463F03C0C7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="HD2747B3EF53043E198CAAD475C5EA0E5">
<paragraph id="HF4AB4401E45645508FCC1419F556F130"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Statutory construction</header><text>Nothing in paragraph (2)(B) may be construed to require that a bond be posted for unaccompanied alien children who are released to a qualified sponsor.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section>
<section id="HC234BBB69DC64AAA9235A04E3770008"><enum>603.</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The amendments made by this title shall take effect as if included in the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/101">6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.</external-xref>).</text></section>