[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3524 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3524

 To support the people of Central America and strengthen United States 
 national security by addressing the root causes of migration from El 
       Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 27, 2019

Ms. Lofgren (for herself, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Correa, Mr. Cox of California, 
 Ms. Dean, Mr. DeSaulnier, Ms. Escobar, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. 
Garamendi, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. Horsford, Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Johnson 
   of Georgia, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Khanna, Mr. McGovern, Ms. Meng, Mr. 
  Nadler, Ms. Norton, Mr. Raskin, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. 
Smith of Washington, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Welch, Mr. Peters, and Ms. Judy Chu 
of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the 
Judiciary, Education and Labor, Armed Services, Intelligence (Permanent 
  Select), Financial Services, Homeland Security, Ways and Means, and 
Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, 
 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the 
                jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To support the people of Central America and strengthen United States 
 national security by addressing the root causes of migration from El 
       Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Northern Triangle 
and Border Stabilization Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF MIGRATION AND PROMOTING RULE OF 
       LAW, SECURITY, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL AMERICA

Sec. 101. United States strategy for engagement in Central America.
Sec. 102. United States coordinator on the strategy for engagement in 
                            Central America.
Sec. 103. Requirement for strategy to secure support of international 
                            donors and partners.
Sec. 104. Strengthening the rule of law and combating corruption.
Sec. 105. Combating criminal violence and improving citizen security.
Sec. 106. Combating sexual, gender-based, and domestic violence.
Sec. 107. Tackling extreme poverty and advancing economic development.
Sec. 108. Conditions, limitations, and certifications on United States 
                            assistance.
Sec. 109. Limitations on funding.
    TITLE II--ADDRESSING MIGRATION NEEDS BY STRENGTHENING REGIONAL 
 HUMANITARIAN RESPONSES FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS IN THE WESTERN 
                               HEMISPHERE

Sec. 201. Expanding refugee and asylum processing in the western 
                            hemisphere.
Sec. 202. Further strengthening regional humanitarian responses in the 
                            western hemisphere.
Sec. 203. Information campaign on dangers of irregular migration.
Sec. 204. Definitions.
Sec. 205. Reporting requirement.
      TITLE III--MANAGING MIGRATION THROUGH REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT, 
  COMPLEMENTARY PATHWAYS, AND STRENGTHENING REPATRIATION INITIATIVES.

Sec. 301. Identification, screening, and processing of refugees and 
                            other individuals eligible for lawful 
                            admission to the United States.
Sec. 302. Registration and intake.
Sec. 303. Central American refugee program.
Sec. 304. Central American minors program.
Sec. 305. Central American family reunification parole program.
Sec. 306. Central American worker referral program.
Sec. 307. Informational campaign; case status hotline.
 TITLE IV--IMPROVING BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN; 
                CRACKING DOWN ON CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS.

Sec. 401. Additional U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel.
Sec. 402. Ports of entry infrastructure enhancement report.
Sec. 403. General short-term custody standards in Customs and Border 
                            Protection facilities.
Sec. 404. Standards for children in the short-term custody of Customs 
                            and Border Protection.
Sec. 405. Child welfare at the border.
Sec. 406. Enhanced investigation and prosecution of human smuggling 
                            networks and trafficking organizations.
Sec. 407. Enhanced penalties for organized smuggling schemes.
Sec. 408. Expanding financial sanctions on narcotics trafficking and 
                            money laundering.
Sec. 409. Support for FBI Transnational Anti-Gang Task Forces for 
                            countering criminal gangs.
Sec. 410. Hindering immigration, border, and customs controls.
Sec. 411. Office of Inspector General Oversight.
Sec. 412. Fatality reporting.
Sec. 413. Establishment of the Office of Ombudsman for Border and 
                            Immigration Related Concerns.
 TITLE V--PROMOTING EFFICIENT PROCESSING OF ASYLUM SEEKERS; ADDRESSING 
IMMIGRATION COURT BACKLOGS; EFFICIENT REPATRIATION OF MIGRANTS ORDERED 
                                REMOVED.

Sec. 501. Joint Task Force to address rise in migrants.
Sec. 502. Incentivizing applications at ports of entry.
Sec. 503. Streamlining intake of asylum seekers.
Sec. 504. Prioritizing prosecution resources for illegal entry.
Sec. 505. Expanding alternatives to detention.
Sec. 506. Eliminating immigration court backlogs.
Sec. 507. Improved training for immigration judges and members of the 
                            Board of Immigration Appeals.
Sec. 508. New technology to improve court efficiency.
Sec. 509. Court appearance compliance and legal orientation.
Sec. 510. Improving court efficiency and reducing costs by increasing 
                            access to legal information.
Sec. 511. Facilitating safe and efficient repatriation.
   TITLE VI--PROTECTING FAMILY VALUES AND MONITORING AND CARING FOR 
              UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN AFTER ARRIVAL.

Sec. 601. Limitation on the separation of families.
Sec. 602. Family reunification.
Sec. 603. Prohibiting use of certain information.
Sec. 604. Responsibility of sponsor for immigration court compliance 
                            and child well-being.
Sec. 605. Monitoring unaccompanied alien children.
Sec. 606. Funding to school districts for unaccompanied alien children.
Sec. 607. School enrollment.
Sec. 608. Definitions.

TITLE I--ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF MIGRATION AND PROMOTING RULE OF 
       LAW, SECURITY, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL AMERICA

SEC. 101. UNITED STATES STRATEGY FOR ENGAGEMENT IN CENTRAL AMERICA.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to Congress 
a 5-year, interagency strategy, to be known as the ``United States 
Strategy for Engagement in Central America'' (hereinafter referred to 
as the ``Strategy''), to advance reforms in Central American countries 
and address the key factors contributing to the flight of families, 
unaccompanied alien children, and other individuals to the United 
States.
    (b) Elements.--The Strategy under subsection (a) shall include 
efforts to--
            (1) strengthen the rule of law, improve access to justice, 
        bolster the effectiveness and independence of judicial systems 
        and public prosecutors' offices, and improve the effectiveness 
        of civilian police forces;
            (2) combat corruption and improve public sector 
        transparency;
            (3) confront and counter the violence, extortion and other 
        crimes perpetrated by armed criminal gangs, illicit trafficking 
        organizations, and organized crime, and disrupt recruitment 
        efforts by such organizations;
            (4) disrupt money laundering and other illicit financial 
        operations of criminal networks, armed gangs, illicit 
        trafficking organizations, and human smuggling networks;
            (5) strengthen democratic governance and promote greater 
        respect for internationally recognized human rights, labor 
        rights, fundamental freedoms, and the media, including through 
        the protection of human rights and environmental defenders, 
        other civil society activists, and journalists;
            (6) enhance accountability for government officials, 
        including police and security force personnel, credibly alleged 
        to have committed serious violations of human rights or other 
        crimes;
            (7) enhance the capability of Central American governments 
        to protect and provide for vulnerable and at-risk populations;
            (8) address the underlying causes of poverty and 
        inequality, and the constraints to inclusive economic growth in 
        Central America; and
            (9) prevent and respond to endemic levels of sexual, 
        gender-based, and domestic violence.
    (c) Coordination and Consultation.--In formulating the Strategy 
required under subsection (a), the Secretary of State shall--
            (1) coordinate with the Secretary of the Treasury, the 
        Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
        Attorney General, and the Administrator of the United States 
        Agency for International Development;
            (2) consult with the Director of National Intelligence; and
            (3) consult with national and local civil society 
        organizations in Central America and the United States.
    (d) Support for Central American Efforts.--To the degree feasible, 
the Strategy shall support or complement efforts being carried out by 
the Governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras under the Plan 
of the Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern Triangle (hereinafter 
referred to as the ``Plan''), in coordination with the Inter-American 
Development Bank and other bilateral and multilateral donors.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section--
            (1) the term the ``Plan of the Alliance for Prosperity in 
        the Northern Triangle'' means the plan developed by the 
        Governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, with the 
        technical assistance of the Inter-American Development Bank, to 
        address national security priorities, including rule of law and 
        anti-corruption initiatives; and
            (2) the term ``unaccompanied alien child'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 269(g)(2) of the Homeland Security 
        Act of 2002.

SEC. 102. UNITED STATES COORDINATOR ON THE STRATEGY FOR ENGAGEMENT IN 
              CENTRAL AMERICA.

    (a) Designation.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the President shall designate a senior official 
to coordinate the Strategy. The official shall report directly to the 
Secretary of State.
    (b) Duties.--The official designated under subsection (a) shall 
coordinate all efforts, activities, and programs related to the United 
States Strategy for Engagement in Central America, including the 
following:
            (1) Coordinating with the Department of State, the 
        Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, the 
        Department of the Treasury, the Department of Homeland 
        Security, the intelligence community (as such term is defined 
        in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 
        3003(4))), the United States Agency for International 
        Development, and international partners on efforts to--
                    (A) dismantle and disrupt criminal gangs, illicit 
                trafficking networks, illicit financial networks, human 
                smuggling networks, and organized crime;
                    (B) combat corruption, and strengthen the rule of 
                law, democratic governance, and human rights 
                protections; and
                    (C) prevent and mitigate the effects of criminal 
                gangs and other criminal organizations on vulnerable 
                Central American populations.
            (2) Coordinating with the Department of State, the 
        Department of Homeland Security, the United States Agency for 
        International Development, and international partners, 
        including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to 
        increase protections for vulnerable Central American 
        populations, improve refugee processing, and strengthen asylum 
        and migration systems throughout the region.
            (3) Coordinating with the Department of State, the 
        Department of Agriculture, the United States Agency for 
        International Development, the Department of Labor, the 
        Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the United States 
        Trade and Development Agency, and international partners, 
        including the Inter-American Development Bank, to strengthen 
        the foundation for inclusive economic growth and improve food 
        security, the investment climate, and protections for labor 
        rights.
            (4) Coordinating with the Ambassador-at-Large for Global 
        Women's Issues, the Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and 
        Women's Empowerment at the United States Agency for 
        International Development, the President and Chief Executive 
        Officer of the Inter-American Foundation, and international 
        partners to develop and implement new community-based 
        interventions to combat sexual, gender-based, and domestic 
        violence.
    (c) Consultation.--The official designated under subsection (a) 
shall consult multilateral organizations and institutions, and domestic 
and international civil society organizations, in strategy development 
and implementation.

SEC. 103. REQUIREMENT FOR STRATEGY TO SECURE SUPPORT OF INTERNATIONAL 
              DONORS AND PARTNERS.

    (a) Strategy.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a 3-year strategy that--
            (1) describes how the United States will secure support 
        from international donors and regional partners to enhance the 
        implementation of the Strategy;
            (2) identifies governments that are willing to provide 
        financial and technical assistance for the implementation of 
        the Strategy and a description of such assistance; and
            (3) identifies the financial and technical assistance to be 
        provided by multilateral institutions, including the Inter-
        American Development Bank, the World Bank, the International 
        Monetary Fund, the Andean Development Corporation - Development 
        Bank of Latin America, and the Organization of American States, 
        and a description of such assistance.
    (b) Diplomatic Engagement and Coordination.--The Secretary of 
State, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, as 
appropriate, shall--
            (1) carry out diplomatic engagement to secure contributions 
        of financial and technical assistance from international donors 
        and partners in support of the Strategy; and
            (2) take all necessary steps to ensure effective 
        cooperation among international donors and partners supporting 
        the Strategy.
    (c) Report.--Not later than one year after submitting the strategy 
under subsection (a) and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State 
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that 
describes--
            (1) the progress made in implementing the Strategy; and
            (2) the financial and technical assistance provided by 
        international donors and partners, including the multilateral 
        institutions specified in subsection (a)(3).
    (d) Definition.--In this section, the term ``appropriate 
congressional committees'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives;
            (2) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives;
            (3) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
            (4) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

SEC. 104. STRENGTHENING THE RULE OF LAW AND COMBATING CORRUPTION.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United 
States Agency for International Development to strengthen the rule of 
law, combat corruption, consolidate democratic governance, and defend 
human rights in Central American countries through the following 
activities:
            (1) Strengthening the rule of law in Central American 
        countries by providing support for:
                    (A) Attorney general offices, public prosecutors, 
                and the judiciary, including the enhancement of 
                investigative and forensics capabilities.
                    (B) The promotion of independent, merit-based 
                selection processes for judges and prosecutors, 
                independent internal controls, and relevant ethics and 
                professional training, including training on sexual, 
                gender-based, and domestic violence.
                    (C) The improvement of victim, witness, and 
                whistleblower protection and access to justice.
                    (D) The reform and improvement of prison facilities 
                and management.
            (2) Combating corruption by providing support for:
                    (A) Inspectors general and oversight institutions, 
                including relevant training for inspectors and 
                auditors.
                    (B) International commissions against impunity, 
                including the International Commission against Impunity 
                in Guatemala and the Support Mission against Corruption 
                and Impunity in Honduras.
                    (C) Civil society organizations conducting 
                oversight of executive branch officials and functions, 
                police and security forces, and judicial officials and 
                public prosecutors.
                    (D) The enhancement of freedom of information 
                mechanisms.
            (3) Consolidating democratic governance by providing 
        support for:
                    (A) The reform of civil services, related training 
                programs, and relevant laws and processes that lead to 
                independent, merit-based selection processes.
                    (B) National legislatures and their capacity to 
                conduct oversight of executive branch functions.
                    (C) The reform and strengthening of political party 
                and campaign finance laws and electoral tribunals.
                    (D) Local governments and their capacity to provide 
                critical safety, education, health, and sanitation 
                services to citizens.
            (4) Defending human rights by providing support for:
                    (A) Human rights ombudsman offices.
                    (B) Government protection programs that provide 
                physical protection and security to human rights 
                defenders, journalists, trade unionists, 
                whistleblowers, and civil society activists at risk.
                    (C) Civil society organizations that promote and 
                defend human rights, freedom of expression, freedom of 
                the press, labor rights, environmental protection, and 
                the rights of individuals with diverse sexual 
                orientations or gender identities.
                    (D) Civil society organizations that address 
                sexual, gender-based, and domestic violence, and that 
                protect victims of such violence.

SEC. 105. COMBATING CRIMINAL VIOLENCE AND IMPROVING CITIZEN SECURITY.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United 
States Agency for International Development to counter the violence and 
crime perpetrated by armed criminal gangs, illicit trafficking 
organizations, and human smuggling networks in Central American 
countries through the following activities:
            (1) Countering criminal activity by providing assistance to 
        civilian law enforcement, including support for--
                    (A) the execution and management of complex, multi-
                actor criminal cases;
                    (B) the enhancement of intelligence collection 
                capacity, and training on civilian intelligence 
                collection (including safeguards for privacy and basic 
                civil liberties), investigative techniques, forensic 
                analysis, and evidence preservation;
                    (C) community policing policies and programs;
                    (D) the enhancement of capacity to identify, 
                investigate, and prosecute crimes involving sexual, 
                gender-based, and domestic violence; and
                    (E) port, airport, and border security systems, 
                including--computer infrastructure and data management 
                systems, secure communications technologies, 
                nonintrusive inspection equipment, radar and aerial 
                surveillance equipment, and canine units.
            (2) Disrupting illicit financial networks, including by 
        providing support for--
                    (A) finance ministries, including for the 
                imposition of financial sanctions to block the assets 
                of individuals and organizations involved in money 
                laundering and the financing of armed criminal gangs, 
                illicit trafficking networks, human smuggling networks, 
                and organized crime;
                    (B) financial intelligence units, including the 
                establishment and enhancement of anti-money laundering 
                programs; and
                    (C) the reform of bank secrecy laws.
            (3) Professionalizing civilian police forces by providing 
        support for--
                    (A) the reform of personnel recruitment, vetting 
                and dismissal processes, including the enhancement of 
                polygraph capability for use in such processes;
                    (B) inspectors general and oversight offices, 
                including relevant training for inspectors and 
                auditors, and independent oversight mechanisms, as 
                appropriate; and
                    (C) training and the development of protocols 
                regarding the appropriate use of force and human 
                rights.
            (4) Improving crime prevention, and reducing violence, 
        extortion, child recruitment into gangs, and sexual slavery by 
        providing support for--
                    (A) the improvement of child protection systems;
                    (B) the enhancement of programs for at-risk youth, 
                including the improvement of community centers and 
                programs aimed at successfully reinserting former gang 
                members;
                    (C) livelihood programming that provides youth and 
                other at-risk individuals with legal and sustainable 
                alternatives to gang membership;
                    (D) safe shelter and humanitarian responses for 
                victims of crime and internal displacement; and
                    (E) programs to receive and effectively re-
                integrate repatriated migrants in El Salvador, 
                Guatemala, and Honduras.

SEC. 106. COMBATING SEXUAL, GENDER-BASED, AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary for the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the 
United States Agency for International Development to counter sexual, 
gender-based, and domestic violence in Central American countries 
through the following activities:
            (1) Broadening engagement among national and local 
        institutions to address sexual, gender-based, and domestic 
        violence.
            (2) Supporting educational initiatives to reduce sexual, 
        gender-based, and domestic violence.
            (3) Supporting outreach efforts tailored to meet the needs 
        of women, girls, individuals of diverse sexual orientations or 
        gender identities, and other vulnerable individuals at risk of 
        violence and exploitation.
            (4) Formalizing standards of care and confidentiality at 
        police, health facilities, and other government facilities.
            (5) Establishing accountability mechanisms for perpetrators 
        of violence.

SEC. 107. TACKLING EXTREME POVERTY AND ADVANCING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary for the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the 
United States Agency for International Development to tackle extreme 
poverty and the underlying causes of poverty in Central American 
countries through the following activities:
            (1) Strengthening human capital, including by providing 
        support for--
                    (A) workforce development and entrepreneurship 
                training programs that are driven by market demand, 
                including programs that prioritize women, at-risk 
                youth, and indigenous communities;
                    (B) improving early-grade literacy, and primary and 
                secondary school curricula;
                    (C) relevant professional training for teachers and 
                educational administrators;
                    (D) educational policy reform and improvement of 
                education sector budgeting; and
                    (E) establishment and expansion of safe schools and 
                related facilities for children.
            (2) Enhancing economic competitiveness and investment 
        climate by providing support for--
                    (A) small business development centers and programs 
                that strengthen supply chain integration;
                    (B) the improvement of protections for investors, 
                including dispute resolution and arbitration 
                mechanisms;
                    (C) trade facilitation and customs harmonization 
                programs; and
                    (D) reducing energy costs through investments in 
                clean technologies and the reform of energy policies 
                and regulations.
            (3) Strengthening food security, including by providing 
        support for:
                    (A) Small and medium-scale sustainable agriculture, 
                including by providing technical training, improving 
                access to credit, and promoting policies and programs 
                that incentivize government agencies and private 
                institutions to buy from local producers.
                    (B) Agricultural value chain development for 
                farming communities.
                    (C) Nutrition programs to reduce childhood 
                malnutrition and stunting rates.
                    (D) Mitigation, adaptation, and recovery programs 
                in response to natural disasters and other external 
                shocks.
            (4) Improving fiscal and financial affairs, including by 
        providing support for--
                    (A) domestic revenue generation, including programs 
                to improve tax administration, collection, and 
                enforcement;
                    (B) strengthening public sector financial 
                management, including strategic budgeting and 
                expenditure tracking; and
                    (C) reform of customs and procurement policies and 
                processes.

SEC. 108. CONDITIONS, LIMITATIONS, AND CERTIFICATIONS ON UNITED STATES 
              ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Assistance Funding Without Condition.--The Secretary of State 
or the Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development, as appropriate, may obligate up to 25 percent of the funds 
made available for the Governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and 
Honduras to carry out the United States Strategy for Engagement in 
Central America.
    (b) Conditions Related To Combatting Smuggling and Providing for 
Screening and Safety of Migrants.--In addition, 25 percent of the funds 
that are made available for assistance for the Governments of El 
Salvador, of Guatemala, and of Honduras to carry out the United States 
Strategy for Engagement in Central America may only be made available 
after the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Homeland Security, consults with, and subsequently certifies and 
reports to the appropriate congressional committees that such 
governments are taking effective steps, in addition to steps taken 
during previous years, to--
            (1) combat human smuggling networks and trafficking 
        organizations, including investigating, prosecuting, and 
        increasing penalties for individuals responsible for such 
        crimes;
            (2) improve border security and border screening to detect 
        and deter illicit smuggling and trafficking, while respecting 
        the rights of individuals fleeing violence and seeking asylum 
        or other forms of protection, in accordance with regional and 
        international law;
            (3) cooperate with United States Government agencies and 
        other governments in the region to facilitate the safe and 
        timely repatriation of migrants who are not found to have a 
        well-founded fear of persecution or other serious harm, in 
        accordance with international law;
            (4) improve reintegration services, in open partnership 
        with civil society organizations, for repatriated migrants in a 
        manner that ensures the safety and well-being of the individual 
        and reduces the likelihood of repeated migration to the United 
        States; and
            (5) cooperate with the United Nations High Commissioner for 
        Refugees to improve protections for, and the processing of, 
        vulnerable populations fleeing violence.
    (c) Conditions Related to Progress on Specific Issues.--
            (1) Effective implementation.--In addition, 50 percent of 
        the funds that are made available for assistance for the 
        Governments of El Salvador, of Guatemala, and of Honduras to 
        carry out the United States Strategy for Engagement in Central 
        America may only be made available after the Secretary consults 
        with, and subsequently certifies and reports to, the 
        appropriate congressional committees that such governments are 
        meeting these conditions in their respective countries, in 
        addition to steps taken during the previous calendar year, to--
                    (A) combat corruption, including investigating and 
                prosecuting government officials, military personnel, 
                and civilian police officers credibly alleged to be 
                corrupt;
                    (B) implement reforms and strengthen the rule of 
                law, including increasing the capacity and independence 
                of the judiciary and public prosecutors;
                    (C) counter the activities of armed criminal gangs, 
                illicit trafficking networks, and organized crime;
                    (D) establish and implement a plan to create a 
                professional, accountable civilian police force and 
                curtail the role of the military in internal policing;
                    (E) investigate and prosecute, through the civilian 
                justice system, military and police personnel who are 
                credibly alleged to have violated human rights, and to 
                ensure that the military and the police are cooperating 
                in such cases;
                    (F) counter and prevent domestic, sexual, and 
                gender-based violence;
                    (G) cooperate, as appropriate, with international 
                human rights entities and international commissions 
                against impunity, including the United Nations' 
                Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), the 
                Organization of American States' Mission to Support the 
                Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras 
                (MACCIH), and any other similar entities that may be 
                established;
                    (H) implement electoral and political reforms, 
                including reforms related to improving the transparency 
                of financing political campaigns and political parties;
                    (I) protect the right of political opposition 
                parties, journalists, trade unionists, human rights 
                defenders, whistleblowers, and other civil society 
                activists to operate without interference;
                    (J) increase government revenues, including by 
                enhancing tax collection, strengthening customs 
                agencies, and reforming procurement processes;
                    (K) implement reforms to strengthen educational 
                systems, vocational training programs, and programs for 
                at-risk youth;
                    (L) resolve commercial disputes, including the 
                confiscation of real property, between United States 
                entities and the respective governments; and
                    (M) implement a policy by which local communities, 
                civil society organizations (including indigenous and 
                marginalized groups), and local governments are 
                consulted in the design, implementation, and evaluation 
                of the activities of the Plan that affect such 
                communities, organizations, or governments.
            (2) Additional elements.--The Secretary of State may not 
        certify that the Government of Guatemala is taking effective 
        steps to address the issues listed in paragraph (1) until after 
        the Government of Guatemala--
                    (A) extends the mandate of the International 
                Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) beyond 
                2019; and
                    (B) permits the CICIG Commissioner and CICIG staff 
                to carry out their work with government obstruction.
            (3) Exception.--The certification and reporting 
        requirements under paragraph (1) shall not apply to assistance 
        provided to the International Commission against Impunity in 
        Guatemala and the Mission to Support the Fight against 
        Corruption and Impunity in Honduras.
    (d) Reprogramming.--
            (1) In general.--Funds withheld pursuant to the limitations 
        described in subsections (b) and (c) shall be made available 
        for programs in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras that do 
        not directly support the central governments of such countries.
            (2) Exception.--The limitations described in subsections 
        (b) and (c) do not apply to funds authorized to be appropriated 
        by this Act for humanitarian assistance or global good security 
        programs.

SEC. 109. LIMITATIONS ON FUNDING.

    None of the amounts authorized to be appropriated pursuant to this 
title may be used or transferred to another agency to assist in the 
removal or repatriation of any individual from a third country to his 
or her country of origin or to another country.

    TITLE II--ADDRESSING MIGRATION NEEDS BY STRENGTHENING REGIONAL 
 HUMANITARIAN RESPONSES FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS IN THE WESTERN 
                               HEMISPHERE

SEC. 201. EXPANDING REFUGEE AND ASYLUM PROCESSING IN THE WESTERN 
              HEMISPHERE.

    (a) Refugee Processing.--The Secretary of State, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall work with international 
partners, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 
to support and strengthen the domestic capacity of countries in the 
Western Hemisphere to process and accept refugees for resettlement and 
adjudicate asylum claims, including by--
            (1) providing support and technical assistance to expand 
        and improve the capacity to identify, process, and adjudicate 
        refugee claims, adjudicate applications for asylum, or 
        otherwise accept refugees referred for resettlement by the 
        United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or host nations, 
        including by increasing the number of refugee and asylum 
        officers who are trained in the relevant legal standards for 
        adjudicating claims for protection;
            (2) establishing and expanding safe and secure refugee 
        reception centers to facilitate the safe and orderly movement 
        of individuals and families seeking international protection;
            (3) improving national refugee and asylum registration 
        systems to ensure that any person seeking refugee status, 
        asylum, or other humanitarian protections--
                    (A) receives due process and meaningful access to 
                existing humanitarian protections;
                    (B) is provided with adequate information about his 
                or her rights, including the right to seek protection;
                    (C) is properly screened for security, including 
                biographic and biometric capture; and
                    (D) receives appropriate documents to prevent fraud 
                and ensure freedom of movement and access to basic 
                social services; and
            (4) developing the capacity to conduct best interest 
        determinations for unaccompanied children with international 
        protection needs to ensure that such children are properly 
        registered and that their claims are appropriately considered.
    (b) Diplomatic Engagement and Coordination.--The Secretary of 
State, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, as 
appropriate, shall--
            (1) carry out diplomatic engagement to secure commitments 
        from governments to resettle refugees from Central America; and
            (2) take all necessary steps to ensure effective 
        cooperation among governments resettling refugees from Central 
        America.

SEC. 202. FURTHER STRENGTHENING REGIONAL HUMANITARIAN RESPONSES IN THE 
              WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

    The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Homeland Security, and in coordination with international partners, 
including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, shall 
support and coordinate with the government of each country hosting a 
significant population of refugees and asylum seekers from El Salvador, 
Guatemala, and Honduras to--
            (1) establish and expand temporary shelter and shelter 
        network capacity to meet the immediate protection and 
        humanitarian needs of refugees and asylum seekers, including 
        shelters for families, women, unaccompanied children, and other 
        vulnerable populations;
            (2) deliver gender-, trauma-, and age-sensitive 
        humanitarian assistance to refugees and asylum seekers, 
        including access to accurate information, legal representation, 
        education, livelihood opportunities, cash assistance, and 
        health care;
            (3) establish and expand sexual, gender-based, and domestic 
        violence prevention, recovery, and humanitarian programming;
            (4) fund national- and community-led humanitarian 
        organizations in humanitarian response; and
            (5) support local integration initiatives to help refugees 
        and asylum seekers rebuild their lives and contribute in a 
        meaningful way to the local economy in their host country.

SEC. 203. INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ON DANGERS OF IRREGULAR MIGRATION.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, shall design and implement public 
information campaigns in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to--
            (1) disseminate information about the potential dangers of 
        travel to the United States;
            (2) provide accurate information about United States 
        immigration law and policy; and
            (3) provide accurate information about the availability of 
        asylum and other humanitarian protections in countries in the 
        Western Hemisphere.
    (b) Elements.--The information campaigns implemented pursuant to 
subsection (a) shall, to the greatest extent possible--
            (1) be targeted at regions with high rates of violence, 
        high levels of out-bound migration, or significant populations 
        of internally displaced persons;
            (2) be in local languages;
            (3) employ a variety of communications media; and
            (4) be developed in consultation with program officials at 
        the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, 
        and other government, nonprofit, or academic entities in close 
        contact with migrant populations from El Salvador, Guatemala, 
        and Honduras, including repatriated migrants.

SEC. 204. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title--
            (1) the term ``internally displaced persons'' means persons 
        or groups of persons who have been forced to leave their homes 
        or places of habitual residence, in particular due to armed 
        conflict, generalized violence, violations of human rights, or 
        natural or human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an 
        internationally recognized state border;
            (2) the term ``international protection'' means asylum 
        status, refugee status, protection under the Convention Against 
        Torture, and other regional protection status available in the 
        Western Hemisphere; and
            (3) the term ``best interest determination'' means a formal 
        process with procedural safeguards designed to give primary 
        consideration to the child's best interests in decisionmaking.

SEC. 205. REPORTING REQUIREMENT.

    Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland 
Security, shall submit a report describing the plans of the Secretary 
of State to assist in developing the refugee and asylum processing 
capabilities described in this title to--
            (1) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
        Representatives;
            (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives;
            (3) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives;
            (4) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
            (5) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
            (6) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

      TITLE III--MANAGING MIGRATION THROUGH REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT, 
  COMPLEMENTARY PATHWAYS, AND STRENGTHENING REPATRIATION INITIATIVES.

SEC. 301. IDENTIFICATION, SCREENING, AND PROCESSING OF REFUGEES AND 
              OTHER INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE FOR LAWFUL ADMISSION TO THE 
              UNITED STATES.

    (a) Designated Processing Centers.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
        consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall 
        enter into agreements for the establishment by the Secretary of 
        Homeland Security of Designated Processing Centers for the 
        registration, screening, and processing of refugees and other 
        eligible individuals in North and Central America, and the 
        resettlement or relocation of these individuals to the United 
        States or other countries.
            (2) Locations.--One or more Designated Processing Centers 
        shall be established in a safe and secure location identified 
        by the United States and the host government in--
                    (A) El Salvador;
                    (B) Guatemala;
                    (C) Honduras;
                    (D) Mexico;
                    (E) Costa Rica; and
                    (F) any other country deemed appropriate by the 
                Secretary of State to accept and process requests and 
                applications under this title, including any country in 
                North or Central America hosting significant numbers of 
                refugees or other displaced individuals.
    (b) Assistant Director of Regional Processing.--
            (1) In general.--There shall be an Assistant Director of 
        Regional Processing, who shall report to the Director of U.S. 
        Citizenship and Immigration Services, and who shall oversee the 
        establishment and operation of all Designated Processing 
        Centers.
            (2) Duties.--The Assistant Director of Regional Processing, 
        in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the 
        Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, shall--
                    (A) coordinate with the Secretary of State and the 
                host country to ensure that each Designated Processing 
                Center is safe, secure, and reasonably accessible to 
                the public to facilitate the registration, screening, 
                and processing of individuals under this title;
                    (B) establish standard operating procedures for the 
                registration, screening, and processing of individuals 
                under this title;
                    (C) oversee the administration of such procedures; 
                and
                    (D) carry out other duties and powers prescribed by 
                the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 
                Services.
    (c) Personnel.--
            (1) Refugee officers and related personnel.--The Secretary 
        of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Director of U.S. 
        Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Assistant Director 
        of Regional Processing, shall ensure that sufficient numbers of 
        refugee officers and other personnel are assigned to each 
        Designated Processing Center to fulfill the requirements of 
        this title.
            (2) Support personnel.--The Secretary of Homeland Security 
        and the Attorney General shall hire and assign sufficient 
        personnel to ensure that absent exceptional circumstances, all 
        security and law enforcement background checks required under 
        this title are completed in 180 days or less.
    (d) Operations.--
            (1) In general.--Absent extraordinary circumstances, each 
        Designated Processing Center shall commence operations not 
        later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this 
        Act.
            (2) Productivity.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, in 
        coordination with the Secretary of State, shall monitor the 
        activities of each Designated Processing Center and establish 
        metrics and criteria for evaluating the productivity of each 
        Designated Processing Center.
            (3) Continuing operations.--Each Designated Processing 
        Center shall remain in operation for at least five fiscal 
        years, and shall continue in operation until such time as the 
        Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the 
        Secretary of State, determines, under the metrics and criteria 
        established under paragraph (2), that for at least 4 
        consecutive calendar quarters the Designated Processing Center 
        has failed to maintain sufficient productivity.
    (e) Congressional Reports.--Not later than January 31 following the 
end of each fiscal year, and beginning with the first fiscal year that 
at least one Designated Processing Center commences operations, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of 
State, shall submit a report to the Committee on the Judiciary and the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and to the 
Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Foreign Relations of 
the Senate on the number of individuals who have been registered, 
screened, and processed for benefits under this title at each 
Designated Processing Center, including the number of benefits requests 
that have been approved and the number of benefits requests that have 
been denied.

SEC. 302. REGISTRATION AND INTAKE.

    (a) Registration.--Each Designated Processing Center shall receive 
and register individuals seeking to apply for benefits under this 
title.
    (b) Intake.--Consistent with this title, registered individuals 
shall be assessed to determine the benefits for which they may be 
eligible, including--
            (1) refugee resettlement pursuant to the Central American 
        Refugee Program described in section 303;
            (2) the Central American Minors Program described in 
        section 304;
            (3) the Central American Family Reunification Parole 
        Program described in section 305; and
            (4) referral for suitable temporary worker programs under 
        the Central American Worker Referral Program described in 
        section 306.
    (c) Expedited Processing.--Expedited processing of applications and 
requests under this title shall be granted in emergency situations, for 
humanitarian reasons, or if other circumstances warrant expedited 
treatment in the exercise of discretion.

SEC. 303. CENTRAL AMERICAN REFUGEE PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--In addition to any refugees designated for 
admission under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
U.S.C. 1157), in each of fiscal years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, 
not less than 100,000 nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras 
combined shall be admitted into the United States under this section. 
Admission under this subsection shall be available to any such national 
who registers at a Designated Processing Center and is determined to be 
admissible as a refugee of special humanitarian concern to the United 
States consistent with this section.
    (b) Initial Processing.--
            (1) In general.--Any individual who registers at a 
        Designated Processing Center and who expresses a fear of 
        persecution or an intention to apply for refugee status may 
        make an application for refugee resettlement under this 
        section. Upon filing of a completed application, the applicant 
        shall be referred to a refugee officer for further processing 
        consistent with this section.
            (2) Submission of biographic and biometric data.--An 
        applicant described in paragraph (1) shall be required to 
        submit biographic and biometric data in accordance with 
        procedures established by the Assistant Director of Regional 
        Processing. The Assistant Director shall provide an alternative 
        procedure for applicants who are unable to provide all required 
        biographic and biometric data due to a physical or mental 
        impairment.
            (3) Background checks.--The Assistant Director of Regional 
        Processing shall utilize biometric, biographic, and other 
        appropriate data to conduct security and law enforcement 
        background checks of applicants to determine whether there is 
        any criminal, national security, or other ground that would 
        render the applicant ineligible for admission as a refugee 
        under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 
        U.S.C. 1157).
            (4) Orientation.--The Assistant Director of Regional 
        Processing shall provide prospective applicants for refugee 
        resettlement with information on applicable requirements and 
        legal standards. All orientation materials, including 
        application forms and instructions, shall be provided in 
        English and Spanish.
            (5) International organizations.--The Secretary of State, 
        in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall 
        enter into agreements with international organizations, 
        including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to 
        facilitate the processing and preparation of case files for 
        applicants under this section.
    (c) Adjudication of Applications.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date on 
        which an applicant is referred under subsection (b)(1), the 
        applicant shall be interviewed by a refugee officer for a 
        determination of whether the applicant is a refugee of special 
        humanitarian concern, as described in paragraph (5).
            (2) Decision.--Not later than 14 days after the date on 
        which an applicant is interviewed under paragraph (1), the 
        refugee officer shall issue a written decision on the 
        application.
            (3) Approval of application.--If the refugee officer 
        approves an application under this section, the applicant shall 
        be processed for resettlement to the United States as a refugee 
        under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The 
        security and law enforcement background checks required under 
        subsection (b)(3) shall be completed, to the satisfaction of 
        the Assistant Director of Regional Processing, before the date 
        on which an approved applicant may be admitted to the United 
        States.
            (4) Denial of application.--If the refugee officer denies 
        an application under this section, the officer shall include a 
        reasoned, written explanation for the denial and refer the 
        applicant for a determination of eligibility for other benefits 
        under this title, consistent with section 302(b). A denied 
        applicant may request review of the decision by a supervisory 
        refugee officer not later than 30 days after the date of the 
        denial. The supervisory refugee officer shall issue a final 
        written decision within 30 days of the request for review.
            (5) Refugees of special humanitarian concern.--For the 
        purposes of this section, refugees of special humanitarian 
        concern to the United States shall include individuals who have 
        suffered, or have a well-founded fear of suffering--
                    (A) domestic, sexual, or other forms of gender-
                based violence, including persecution based on sexual 
                orientation or gender identity;
                    (B) violence, extortion, or other forms of 
                persecution (including forced recruitment) committed by 
                gangs or other organized criminal organizations;
                    (C) a severe form of trafficking in persons; or
                    (D) other serious human rights abuses.
            (6) Spouses and minor children.--The spouse or child of any 
        applicant who qualifies for admission under section 207(c) of 
        the Immigration and Nationality Act shall be granted the same 
        status as the applicant if accompanying or following to join 
        such applicant, consistent with such section.
            (7) Refugee status.--An individual who is admitted to the 
        United States as a refugee under this section shall enjoy the 
        same rights and privileges and shall be subject to the same 
        grounds for termination of refugee status as provided in 
        sections 207 and 209 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
            (8) Fees.--No fee shall be imposed for the filing, 
        processing, or adjudication of an application under this 
        section.
    (d) Optional Referral to Other Countries.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsection (b), an 
        applicant for refugee resettlement under this section may be 
        referred to another country for the processing of the 
        applicant's refugee claim if--
                    (A) another country agrees to immediately process 
                the applicant's refugee claim in accordance with the 
                terms and procedures of a bilateral agreement under 
                paragraph (2); and
                    (B) the applicant lacks substantial ties to the 
                United States as defined in paragraph (3) or requests 
                resettlement to a country other than the United States.
            (2) Bilateral agreements for referral of refugees.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary of State, in 
                consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, 
                shall enter into bilateral agreements with other 
                countries for the referral, processing, and 
                resettlement of individuals who register with a 
                Designated Processing Center and seek to apply for 
                refugee resettlement under this section. Such 
                agreements shall be limited to countries with the 
                demonstrated capacity to accept and adjudicate 
                applications for refugee status, and other forms of 
                international protection, and resettle refugees 
                consistent with obligations under the 1951 United 
                Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees 
                and the 1967 United Nations Protocol Relating to the 
                Status of Refugees.
                    (B) International organizations.--The Secretary of 
                State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland 
                Security, shall enter into agreements with 
                international organizations, including the United 
                Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to facilitate 
                the referral, processing, and resettlement of 
                individuals covered under this paragraph.
            (3) Substantial ties defined.--An individual has 
        substantial ties to the United States if the individual--
                    (A) has a spouse, parent, son, daughter, sibling, 
                grandparent, aunt, or uncle who resides in the United 
                States;
                    (B) can demonstrate previous residence in the 
                United States for not less than 2 years; or
                    (C) can otherwise demonstrate substantial ties to 
                the United States as defined by the Secretary of 
                Homeland Security.
    (e) Emergency Relocation Coordination.--The Secretary of State, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall enter into 
bilateral or multilateral agreements with other Western Hemisphere 
countries to establish safe and secure emergency transit centers for 
individuals who register at a Designated Processing Center, are deemed 
to face an imminent risk of harm, and require temporary placement in a 
safe location pending a final decision on an application under this 
section. Such agreements shall be developed in consultation with the 
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and shall conform to 
international humanitarian standards.
    (f) Expansion of Refugee Corps.--Not later than 60 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, and subject to the availability of 
amounts provided in advance in appropriation Acts, the Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall appoint additional refugee officers as may be 
necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 304. CENTRAL AMERICAN MINORS PROGRAM.

    (a) Eligibility.--If it is determined as a result of the assessment 
under section 302(b) that an alien is eligible for special immigrant 
status in accordance with this subsection, the Designated Processing 
Center shall accept a petition for such status filed by the alien, or 
on behalf of the alien by a parent or legal guardian, and, subject to 
subsection (d) and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide the alien with status as a 
special immigrant under section 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act. An alien shall be eligible under this subsection if 
the alien--
            (1) is a national of El Salvador, Honduras, or Guatemala;
            (2) is an unmarried child (as defined in section 101(b)(1) 
        of the Immigration and Nationality Act) of an individual who is 
        lawfully present in the United States;
            (3) is otherwise eligible to receive an immigrant visa; and
            (4) is otherwise admissible to the United States (excluding 
        the grounds of inadmissibility specified in section 212(a)(4) 
        of the Immigration and Nationality Act).
    (b) Minor Children.--Any child (as defined in section 101(b)(1) of 
the Immigration and Nationality Act) of an alien described in 
subsection (b) is entitled to the same special immigrant status if 
accompanying or following to join the alien.
    (c) Numerical Limitations.--
            (1) In general.--The total number of aliens who may be 
        provided special immigrant status under this section may not 
        exceed 10,000 per year for the fiscal year during which at 
        least one Designated Processing Center commences operations, 
        and for each of the four fiscal years that immediately follow.
            (2) Exclusion from numerical limitations.--Aliens provided 
        special immigrant status under this section shall not be 
        counted against any numerical limitation under section 201, 
        202, or 203 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
            (3) Carry forward.--If the numerical limitation under 
        paragraph (1) is not reached during a given fiscal year, the 
        numerical limitation under such paragraph for the following 
        fiscal year shall be increased by a number equal to the 
        difference between--
                    (A) the total number of aliens provided special 
                immigrant status under paragraph (1) for the given 
                fiscal year; and
                    (B) the number of aliens provided special immigrant 
                status under this section during the given fiscal year.
    (d) Petition and Adjudication.--
            (1) In general.--Absent exceptional circumstances, an 
        eligible alien shall be permitted to submit a petition for 
        special immigrant status under this section up to 90 days after 
        the date the alien was determined to be eligible for such 
        status.
            (2) Adjudication deadlines.--Absent exceptional 
        circumstances, petitions submitted under this section shall be 
        adjudicated not later than 180 days after submission.
            (3) Applicants under prior cam program.--The Secretary of 
        Homeland Security shall deem an application filed under the 
        Central American Minors Refugee Program, established on 
        December 1, 2014 and terminated on August 16, 2017, and which 
        was not the subject of a final disposition prior to January 31, 
        2018, to be a petition filed under this section. Absent 
        exceptional circumstances, the Secretary shall make a final 
        determination on such petitions not later than 180 days after 
        the date of enactment of this Act. The Secretary shall promptly 
        notify all relevant parties of the conversion of a CAM 
        application into a special immigrant petition, and shall 
        provide instructions for withdrawal of the petition if the 
        alien no longer wishes to proceed with the requested relief.
            (4) Biometrics and background checks.--
                    (A) Submission of biometric and biographic data.--
                Petitioners for special immigrant status under this 
                section shall be required to submit biometric and 
                biographic data in accordance with procedures 
                established by the Assistant Director of Regional 
                Processing. The Assistant Director shall provide an 
                alternative procedure for applicants who are unable to 
                provide all required biometric data due to a physical 
                or mental impairment.
                    (B) Background checks.--The Assistant Director of 
                Regional Processing shall utilize biometric, 
                biographic, and other appropriate data to conduct 
                security and law enforcement background checks of 
                petitioners to determine whether there is any criminal, 
                national security, or other ground that would render 
                the applicant ineligible for special immigrant status 
                under this section.
                    (C) Completion of background checks.--The security 
                and law enforcement background checks required under 
                subparagraph (B) shall be completed, to the 
                satisfaction of the Assistant Director of Regional 
                Processing, before the date on which a petition for 
                special immigrant status under this section may be 
                approved.

SEC. 305. CENTRAL AMERICAN FAMILY REUNIFICATION PAROLE PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--If it is determined as a result of the assessment 
under section 302(b) that an alien is eligible for parole in accordance 
with this subsection, the Designated Processing Center shall accept a 
completed application for parole filed by the alien, or on behalf of 
the alien by a parent or legal guardian, and the Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall grant parole, as provided under section 212(d)(5), to 
that alien. An alien shall be eligible under this subsection if the 
alien--
            (1) is a national of El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras;
            (2) is the beneficiary of an approved immigrant visa 
        petition under section 203(a) of the Immigration and 
        Nationality Act; and
            (3) does not have an immigrant visa that is immediately 
        available but the visa is expected to be available within 5 
        years of the date the alien registers with a Designated 
        Processing Center.
    (b) Application and Adjudication.--
            (1) In general.--Absent exceptional circumstances, an 
        eligible alien shall be permitted to submit an application for 
        parole under this section up to 90 days after the date the 
        alien is determined to be eligible for parole.
            (2) Adjudication deadlines.--Absent exceptional 
        circumstances, applications submitted under this section shall 
        be adjudicated not later than 180 days after submission.
            (3) Biometrics and background checks.--
                    (A) Submission of biometric and biographic data.--
                Applicants for parole under this section shall be 
                required to submit biometric and biographic data in 
                accordance with procedures established by the Assistant 
                Director of Regional Processing. The Assistant Director 
                shall provide an alternative procedure for applicants 
                who are unable to provide all required biometric data 
                due to a physical or mental impairment.
                    (B) Background checks.--The Assistant Director of 
                Regional Processing shall utilize biometric, 
                biographic, and other appropriate data to conduct 
                security and law enforcement background checks of 
                applicants to determine whether there is any criminal, 
                national security, or other ground that would render 
                the applicant ineligible for parole under this section.
                    (C) Completion of background checks.--The security 
                and law enforcement background checks required under 
                subparagraph (B) shall be completed to the satisfaction 
                of the Assistant Director of Regional Processing before 
                the date on which an application for parole may be 
                approved.
            (4) Approval.--Designated Processing Centers shall issue 
        appropriate travel documentation to aliens granted parole. Such 
        documentation must be presented to U.S. Customs and Border 
        Protection at a port of entry for parole into the United States 
        within 120 days of issuance.

SEC. 306. CENTRAL AMERICAN WORKER REFERRAL PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--An alien who registers with a Designated 
Processing Center shall be screened for referral for suitable temporary 
worker programs as provided in this section.
    (b) Qualifying Temporary Worker Programs.--In accordance with the 
standard operating procedures described in section 301(b)(2)(B) of this 
title, and using tools and resources developed by the Secretary of 
Homeland Security in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, 
Designated Processing Centers shall--
            (1) connect prospective workers to U.S. employers or 
        recruiters seeking temporary workers to perform agricultural 
        labor or services as described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) 
        of the Immigration and Nationality Act, or other temporary or 
        seasonal work as described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) of 
        the Immigration and Nationality Act; and
            (2) connect prospective workers to an organization, 
        approved by the Department of State to sponsor exchange 
        visitors as described under section 101(a)(15)(J) of the 
        Immigration and Nationality Act, for placement as an au pair 
        with a qualified host family in the United States.
    (c) Other Temporary Work Programs.--The Secretary of Homeland 
Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, may, as a matter 
of discretion, develop tools and resources and establish procedures to 
allow Designated Processing Centers to connect prospective workers to 
other temporary employment, training, or exchange visitor opportunities 
in the United States that require nonimmigrant visa sponsorship.
    (d) Eligibility.--Eligibility for referral under this section shall 
be limited to nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras who--
            (1) have registered with a Designated Processing Center; 
        and
            (2) have agreed in writing to participate in the referral 
        program.
Eligible individuals shall only be referred to prospective employers or 
designated organizations for possible visa sponsorship and employment 
in an area or areas in which the individual has indicated a willingness 
and desire to work.
    (e) Limitations.--Nothing in this section shall be construed--
            (1) to limit the obligations of an employer, recruiter, 
        designated organization, or other entity to fulfill all 
        requirements for nonimmigrant visa sponsorship as required 
        under the relevant provisions of the Immigration and 
        Nationality Act and regulations issued by the Secretary of 
        Homeland Security or the Attorney General;
            (2) to guarantee employment or visa sponsorship for any 
        prospective worker who registers with a Designated Processing 
        Center; or
            (3) to allow a Designated Processing Center, employer, 
        recruiter, or designated organization to charge or collect any 
        placement or referral fee for services rendered under this 
        section.

SEC. 307. INFORMATIONAL CAMPAIGN; CASE STATUS HOTLINE.

    (a) Informational Campaign.--The Secretary of Homeland Security 
shall implement an informational campaign, in English and Spanish, in 
the United States, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to increase 
awareness of the provisions of this title.
    (b) Case Status Hotline.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
establish a case status hotline providing confidential processing 
information on pending cases.

 TITLE IV--IMPROVING BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN; 
                CRACKING DOWN ON CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS.

SEC. 401. ADDITIONAL U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION PERSONNEL.

    (a) Officers.--The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection shall, every fiscal year, hire, train, and assign not fewer 
than 200 new officers above the level as of September 30 of the 
immediately preceding fiscal year until the total number of officers 
equals the requirements identified each year in the Workload Staffing 
Model issued by the Commissioner pursuant to the Department of Homeland 
Security Appropriations Act, 2012 (hereinafter in this title referred 
to as the ``Workload Staffing Model'').
    (b) Protection of Human Rights and Child Welfare.--
            (1) Humanitarian specialists and child welfare 
        professionals.--Not later than the last day of the first fiscal 
        year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner 
        of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall hire, train, and 
        assign not fewer than 100 new humanitarian specialists and not 
        fewer than 100 new child welfare professionals. The 
        Commissioner shall thereafter annually hire, train, and assign 
        an additional 100 specialists and 100 professionals under this 
        section until the Commissioner determines that a sufficient 
        number of such specialists and professionals are available to 
        adequately provide for the protection of the health and welfare 
        of aliens arriving at the border or in the custody of the 
        Commissioner, including the requirements of sections 404 and 
        405. The total number of such specialists and professionals may 
        not be less than the requirements identified in the Workload 
        Staffing Model. The Commissioner is authorized to enter into 
        such contracts as may be necessary to carry out this 
        subsection, including with independent child welfare 
        professionals.
            (2) Qualified experts in pediatric medicine.--The 
        Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall, every 
        fiscal year, hire, train, and assign qualified experts in 
        pediatric medicine in such numbers as the Commissioner 
        determines appropriate to adequately provide for the health 
        needs of children arriving at the border or in the custody of 
        the Commissioner, including the requirements of sections 404 
        and 405.
    (c) Agricultural Specialists.--The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection shall, every fiscal year, hire, train, and assign not 
fewer than 100 new agricultural specialists above the level as of 
September 30 of the immediately preceding fiscal year until the total 
number of such specialists equals the requirements identified each year 
in the Agriculture Resource Allocation Model developed by the 
Commissioner. The Commissioner is authorized to enter into such 
contracts as may be necessary to carry out this subsection.
    (d) Support Staff.--The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection is authorized to hire, train, and assign support staff, 
including technicians and interpreters, to perform non-law enforcement 
administrative functions to support all personnel of U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection. The Commissioner is authorized to enter into such 
contracts as may be necessary to carry out this subsection.
    (e) Office of Professional Responsibility.--The Commissioner of 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall hire, train, and assign 
sufficient Office of Professional Responsibility special agents to 
ensure that there is one such special agent for every 30 officers to 
investigate criminal and administrative matters and misconduct by 
officers and other employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The 
Commissioner is authorized to enter into such contracts as may be 
necessary to carry out this subsection.
    (f) Traffic Forecasts.--In calculating the number of U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection officers needed at each land, air, and maritime 
port of entry through the Workload Staffing Model, the Office of Field 
Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall--
            (1) rely on data collected regarding the inspections and 
        other activities conducted at each such port of entry; and
            (2) consider volume due to regional humanitarian 
        conditions, seasonal increases, other projected changes in 
        commercial and passenger volumes, the most current commercial 
        forecasts, and other relevant information.
    (g) Staffing Updates.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection shall report to Congress on the status of efforts to 
implement subsections (a) through (e).
    (h) Amendment.--Subparagraph (A) of section 411(g)(5) of the 
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 211(g)(5)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``model'' and inserting ``models'';
            (2) by inserting ``humanitarian and agricultural 
        specialists, child welfare professionals,'' before ``and 
        support personnel''; and
            (3) by inserting before the period at the end the 
        following: ``, and shall also provide information concerning 
        the progress made toward meeting officer, humanitarian and 
        agriculture specialists, child welfare professionals, and 
        support staff hiring targets, while accounting for attrition''.
    (i) GAO Report.--If by March 31, 2020, the Commissioner of U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection has not hired at least 100 additional 
humanitarian specialists and 100 child welfare professionals in 
accordance with subsection (b) or at least 200 additional U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection officers in accordance with subsection (a), and 
in any subsequent fiscal year in which the staffing levels specified in 
the applicable Workload Staffing Model have not been achieved, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall--
            (1) conduct a review of U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
        hiring policies and processes to identify factors contributing 
        to such levels not being achieved and any other issues related 
        to hiring by U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
            (2) consider attrition levels within the Office of Field 
        Operations to identify associated factors contributing to 
        attrition within the workforce of such Office; and
            (3) submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the 
        House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security 
        and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that describes 
        the results of the review and consideration under paragraphs 
        (1) and (2), respectively, and that contains recommendations to 
        enhance the likelihood of achieving such staffing levels.

SEC. 402. PORTS OF ENTRY INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCEMENT REPORT.

    Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall submit to 
the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 
Senate a report that identifies--
            (1) infrastructure improvements at ports of entry that 
        would enhance the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
        officers to process and protect refugees and asylum seekers, 
        facilitate daily pedestrian and vehicular trade and traffic, 
        and detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent fentanyl, other 
        synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive 
        substances and associated contraband from entering the United 
        States, including a description of circumstances in which 
        effective technology in use at certain ports of entry cannot be 
        implemented at other ports of entry;
            (2) detection equipment that would improve the ability of 
        such officers to identify such drugs and other dangers that are 
        being illegally transported into the United States; and
            (3) safety equipment that would protect such officers from 
        accidental exposure to such drugs or other dangers associated 
        with the inspection of potential drug traffickers.

SEC. 403. GENERAL SHORT-TERM CUSTODY STANDARDS IN CUSTOMS AND BORDER 
              PROTECTION FACILITIES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting 
through the head of the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of 
the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the 
Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shall establish 
short-term custody standards providing for basic minimum standards of 
care, intake procedures, and capacity guidelines at all U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection facilities holding individuals in the agency's 
custody, including the following:
            (1) U.S. Border Patrol stations.
            (2) Ports of entry.
            (3) Checkpoints.
            (4) Forward operating bases.
            (5) Secondary inspection areas.
            (6) Short-term custody facilities.
    (b) Requirements.--All U.S. Customs and Border Protection and 
subcontracted or cooperating entity personnel shall undergo mandatory 
training on all standards established in accordance with subsection 
(a), shall ensure that detention space capacity will not be exceeded 
except in emergency circumstances, and shall ensure that all 
individuals in agency custody receive the following:
            (1) Potable water and a snack, and, if detained for more 
        than five hours, a nutritious meal with regular meals and 
        snacks, thereafter.
            (2) Medically appropriate meals and snacks for pregnant 
        women and individuals with identifiable medical needs.
            (3) Adequate bathroom and shower facilities, as well as 
        basic toiletries and hygiene items, including soap, a 
        toothbrush, toilet paper, and other items appropriate for the 
        age and gender identification of such individuals, including 
        diapers and feminine hygiene products.
            (4) A cot, clean linens, and blankets, if detained for more 
        than five hours.
            (5) Adequate lighting and climate control that achieves a 
        reasonable indoor temperature.
            (6) Adequate protection from the elements, including sun 
        shades, for outside holding areas.
            (7) A physical and mental health screening conducted 
        promptly upon arrival in a manner that complies with the 
        requirements for such screenings specified in the National 
        Commission for Correctional Health Care Jails Standards, as 
        well as information about the availability of, and access to, 
        health care services that is communicated in a form and 
        language such individuals are known to understand.
            (8) Immediate physical and mental health needs addressed by 
        a qualified health care professional as soon as possible.
            (9) Prompt notice of the ability to make telephone calls 
        and the procedures therefore.
            (10) Prompt notice of phone numbers to file a complaint 
        with the Office of the Inspector General of the Department and 
        the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the 
        Department.
            (11) A reasonable accommodation for religious practices.
            (12) Applicable protections under the Prison Rape 
        Elimination Act of 2003 (42 U.S.C. 15601 et seq.; Public Law 
        108-79).
            (13) Safe transport, including prevention of sexual assault 
        during transfer, including in subcontracted transportation 
        services, while such individuals are transported from a U.S. 
        Customs and Border Protection facility.
    (c) Further Provisions.--The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection shall ensure that all individuals in agency custody--
            (1) have regular access to consular officials and legal 
        service providers through confidential in-person visits or 
        telephonic communications;
            (2) receive copies of all signed documents; and
            (3) are transferred, together with records, including 
        medical screening records, to an appropriate U.S. Immigration 
        and Customs Enforcement or Department of Health and Human 
        Services Office of Refugee Resettlement facility or are safely 
        released from short-term custody within 72 hours of 
        apprehension.
    (d) Surveillance of Certain Individuals in CBP Custody.--The 
Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall ensure 
constant surveillance of an individual in agency custody who exhibits 
signs of hostility, depression, or similar behaviors, or who is 
reasonably known to pose an elevated suicide risk.
    (e) Physical and Mental Health Assessment.--The Commissioner of 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall ensure that individuals in 
agency custody for more than 24 hours receive, in addition to the 
physical and mental health screening specified in subsection (b)(7), a 
physical and mental health assessment by a qualified healthcare 
professional. To the extent practicable, such individuals with known or 
readily apparent disabilities, including temporary disabilities, shall 
be housed in a manner that accommodates their mental or physical 
condition, or both, and provides for the safety, comfort, and security 
of such individuals.
    (f) Return of Certain Belongings.--Any lawful, nonperishable 
belongings of an individual in U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
custody that are confiscated by personnel operating under Federal 
authority shall be returned to such individual prior to the release or 
repatriation of such individual.
    (g) Inspection of Short-Term Custody Facilities.--Short-term 
custody facilities shall be inspected at least once every year by the 
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security, 
with the results made public without the need to submit a request under 
section 552 of title 5, United States Code.
    (h) Consultation.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall seek 
input from nongovernmental organizations regarding their independent 
opinion of specific U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities and 
permit regular access to such facilities by nongovernmental 
organizations for human rights monitoring.
    (i) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
promulgate regulations to--
            (1) establish a publicly accessible online system allowing 
        any person with the alien number of an individual to track the 
        location of that individual in U.S. Customs and Border 
        Protection custody held in short-term custody, and provide an 
        online list of all locations with phone numbers routinely used 
        to hold individuals in short-term custody;
            (2) improve the education of individuals in U.S. Customs 
        and Border Protection custody regarding administrative 
        procedures and legal rights under United States immigration 
        law, in consultation with the Executive Office for Immigration 
        Review; and
            (3) ensure notification to Congress and the Office of the 
        Inspector General and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil 
        Liberties of the Department of Homeland Security within 48 
        hours of each instance in which--
                    (A) an individual in U.S. Customs and Border 
                Protection custody has died, including during transfer 
                to another facility or while being released; or
                    (B) an individual has died as the result of an 
                encounter with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
    (j) Annual Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall submit to Congress a report that details all 
instances in which an individual in U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
custody has died in the prior fiscal year, including during transfer to 
another facility or while being released, as well as all instances in 
which an individual has died as the result of an encounter with U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection, and the result of any subsequent 
investigation. Such reports shall also detail all instances in which an 
individual, including an individual in the custody of U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection, has suffered serious injuries requiring 
hospitalization as a result of the use of force by U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection.

SEC. 404. STANDARDS FOR CHILDREN IN THE SHORT-TERM CUSTODY OF CUSTOMS 
              AND BORDER PROTECTION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting 
through the head of the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of 
the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the 
Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shall establish 
basic standards of care for the short-term custody of children by the 
Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
    (b) Requirements.--The standards required pursuant to subsection 
(a) shall include and apply the general short term custody standards 
described in section 403, as well as ensure that all children in the 
custody of the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection are 
placed in a safe and sanitary location, and while in such custody--
            (1) have available to them at all times diapers, diapering 
        supplies, infant formula, and infant feeding supplies, as 
        necessary;
            (2) in the case of any child in such custody for more than 
        24 hours, have access to--
                    (A) a parent or other member of the family group, 
                including siblings, grandparents, aunts, and uncles in 
                U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody; and
                    (B) daily recreational programs and activities, 
                including recreational time outdoors; and
            (3) are permitted to make supervised video conference 
        calls, if available, and telephone calls to family members (or 
        legal guardians).
    (c) Ensuring Children Have Access to Legal Rights.--The Secretary 
of Homeland Security shall ensure that on apprehension each child is 
provided--
            (1) an interview and screening with a child welfare 
        professional; and
            (2) a video orientation and oral and written notice, in a 
        language understood by the child, of the rights of the child 
        under the immigration laws (as such term is defined in section 
        101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act), including--
                    (A) communication with counsel pursuant to section 
                292 of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1362); and
                    (B) an applicable complaint mechanism to report any 
                abuse, mistreatment, or misconduct.

SEC. 405. CHILD WELFARE AT THE BORDER.

    (a) Guidelines.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, experts 
in child development, child welfare, and pediatric medicine, and other 
relevant experts as appropriate, shall, by rule, develop and establish 
guidelines for the intake and treatment of children and families in the 
custody of the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
    (b) Mandatory Training.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall--
            (1) require all U.S. Customs and Border Protection and 
        subcontracted or cooperating entity personnel, who may have 
        contact with a child at a port of entry or U.S. Border Patrol 
        station to undergo appropriate training, which shall include 
        in-person training, on--
                    (A) the applicable legal authorities, policies, 
                practices, and procedures relating to children in the 
                custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and
                    (B) child development, trauma, and the manner in 
                which trauma affects the health and behavior of 
                children; and
            (2) require U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel to 
        annually undertake continuing training on--
                    (A) identifying and responding to common signs and 
                symptoms of medical distress in children;
                    (B) best practices with respect to the guidelines 
                developed in accordance with subsection (a); and
                    (C) changes in the legal authorities, policies, and 
                procedures described in paragraph (1)(A).
    (c) Sufficient Staffing.--The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection shall ensure that sufficient qualified child welfare 
professionals and qualified experts in pediatric medicine are stationed 
at each port of entry and each U.S. Border Patrol station with a high 
volume of arriving children to accomplish the duties described in this 
section without creating an undue delay in the length of time children 
and apprehended parents and legal guardians remain in the custody of 
the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
    (d) Family Unit Tracking Number.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
        shall submit to Congress notification that the Secretary has 
        established a system for use by U.S. Customs and Border 
        Protection to assign a family unit tracking number to each 
        member of a family unit that is apprehended, including each of 
        the following:
                    (A) An apprehended spouse.
                    (B) An apprehended parent or legal guardian.
                    (C) A child accompanying an apprehended parent or 
                legal guardian.
                    (D) Each accompanying member of the family group, 
                including siblings, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
            (2) Requirements.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
        ensure that a family unit tracking number under paragraph (1)--
                    (A) may be shared among the data systems of--
                            (i) U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
                            (ii) U.S. Immigration and Customs 
                        Enforcement; and
                            (iii) the Office of Refugee Resettlement of 
                        the Department of Health and Human Services;
                    (B) is included on any document pertaining to any 
                member of an apprehended family unit; and
                    (C) is not deleted or altered, except in the case 
                of an error.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Child.--The term ``child'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 101(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality 
        Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(1)).
            (2) Child welfare professional.--The term ``child welfare 
        professional'' means an individual who--
                    (A) is licensed in social work by the relevant 
                State welfare agency, and, if applicable, county 
                welfare agency, of a State and county in which the port 
                of entry or U.S. Border Patrol station is located;
                    (B) has direct experience working with children; 
                and
                    (C) is proficient in one or more of the most common 
                languages spoken by children apprehended at the 
                applicable port of entry or U.S. Border Patrol station.
            (3) Cooperating entity.--The term ``cooperating entity'' 
        means a State or local entity acting pursuant to an agreement 
        with the Secretary.

SEC. 406. ENHANCED INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF HUMAN SMUGGLING 
              NETWORKS AND TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS.

    The Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
expand collaboration on the investigation and prosecution of human 
smuggling networks and trafficking organizations targeting Central 
American families and unaccompanied children and operating at the 
southwestern border of the United States, including the continuation 
and expansion of anti-trafficking coordination teams.

SEC. 407. ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR ORGANIZED SMUGGLING SCHEMES.

    (a) In General.--Section 274(a)(1)(B) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324(a)(1)(B)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) as clauses (iv) 
        and (v), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after clause (ii) the following:
                            ``(iii) in the case of a violation of 
                        subparagraph (A)(i) during and in relation to 
                        which the person, while acting for profit or 
                        other financial gain, knowingly directs or 
                        participates in a scheme to cause 10 or more 
                        persons (other than a parent, spouse, sibling, 
                        child, grandparent, or grandchild of the 
                        offender) to enter or to attempt to enter the 
                        United States at the same time at a place other 
                        than a designated port of entry or place other 
                        than designated by the Secretary, be fined 
                        under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned 
                        not more than 15 years, or both;''; and
            (3) in clause (iv), as redesignated, by inserting ``commits 
        or attempts to commit sexual assault of,'' after ``section 1365 
        of title 18, United States Code) to,''.
    (b) Bulk Cash Smuggling.--Section 5332(b)(1) of title 31, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Term of 
        imprisonment'' and inserting ``In general''; and
            (2) by inserting ``, fined under title 18, or both'' after 
        ``5 years''.

SEC. 408. EXPANDING FINANCIAL SANCTIONS ON NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING AND 
              MONEY LAUNDERING.

    (a) Financial Sanctions Expansion.--The Secretary of the Treasury, 
the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, 
and the Director of Central Intelligence shall expand investigations, 
intelligence collection, and analysis pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics 
Kingpin Designation Act to increase the identification and application 
of sanctions against--
            (1) significant foreign narcotics traffickers, their 
        organizations, and networks; and
            (2) foreign persons who provide material, financial, or 
        technological support to such traffickers, organizations, and 
        networks.
    (b) Targets.--The activities described in subsection (a) shall 
specifically target foreign narcotics traffickers, their organizations 
and networks, and the foreign persons who provide material, financial, 
or technological support to such traffickers, organizations, and 
networks that are present and operating in Central America.

SEC. 409. SUPPORT FOR FBI TRANSNATIONAL ANTI-GANG TASK FORCES FOR 
              COUNTERING CRIMINAL GANGS.

    The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in 
coordination with the Secretary of State, shall expand the efforts of 
the Transnational Anti-Gang Task Forces in El Salvador, Guatemala, and 
Honduras, including by--
            (1) expanding transnational criminal investigations focused 
        on criminal gangs in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, such 
        as the MS-13 and 18th Street organizations;
            (2) expanding training and partnership efforts with 
        Salvadoran, Guatemalan, and Honduran law enforcement entities 
        to disrupt and dismantle criminal gangs, both internationally 
        and in their respective countries;
            (3) establishing or expanding gang-related investigative 
        units;
            (4) collecting and disseminating intelligence to support 
        related United States-based investigations; and
            (5) expanding programming related to gang intervention and 
        prevention for at-risk youth.

SEC. 410. HINDERING IMMIGRATION, BORDER, AND CUSTOMS CONTROLS.

    (a) Immigration and Nationality Act.--The Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after 
section 274D the following:

``SEC. 274E. HINDERING IMMIGRATION, BORDER, AND CUSTOMS CONTROLS.

    ``(a) Illicit Spotting.--
            ``(1) In general.--It shall be unlawful to knowingly 
        surveil, track, monitor, or transmit the location, movement, or 
        activities of any officer or employee of a Federal, State, or 
        tribal law enforcement agency with the intent to--
                    ``(A) gain financially; and
                    ``(B) violate the immigration laws, the customs and 
                trade laws of the United States (as defined in section 
                2 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act 
                of 2015 (Public Law 114-125)), any other Federal law 
                relating to transporting controlled substances, 
                agriculture, or monetary instruments into the United 
                States, or any Federal law relating to border controls 
                measures of the United States.
            ``(2) Penalty.--Any person who violates paragraph (1) shall 
        be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned for not 
        more than 5 years, or both.
    ``(b) Destruction of United States Border Controls.--
            ``(1) In general.--It shall be unlawful to knowingly and 
        without lawful authorization--
                    ``(A) destroy or significantly damage any fence, 
                barrier, sensor, camera, or other physical or 
                electronic device deployed by the Federal Government to 
                control an international border of, or a port of entry 
                to, the United States; or
                    ``(B) otherwise construct, excavate, or make any 
                structure intended to defeat, circumvent or evade such 
                a fence, barrier, sensor camera, or other physical or 
                electronic device deployed by the Federal Government to 
                control an international border of, or a port of entry 
                to, the United States.
            ``(2) Penalty.--Any person who violates paragraph (1) shall 
        be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned for not 
        more than 5 years, or both.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act (8 
U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
section 274D the following:

``Sec. 274E. Hindering immigration, border, and customs controls.''.

SEC. 411. OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL OVERSIGHT.

    Not later than six months after enactment of this Act and every six 
months thereafter, the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland 
Security shall report to Congress on the status of efforts to implement 
sections 403, 404, and 405 of this Act and findings made after 
announced and unannounced inspections to U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection facilities.

SEC. 412. FATALITY REPORTING.

    (a) Quarterly Reporting.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
publish information on a quarterly basis regarding each death of a 
person in the custody of the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection or the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
    (b) Annual Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall submit to Congress a report that details all 
instances in which an individual in U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
custody has died in the prior fiscal year, including during transfer to 
another facility or while being released, as well as all instances in 
which an individual has died as the result of an encounter with U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection, and the result of any subsequent 
investigation. Such reports shall also detail all instances in which an 
individual, including an individual in the custody of U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection, has suffered serious injuries requiring 
hospitalization as a result of the use of force by U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection.

SEC. 413. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF OMBUDSMAN FOR BORDER AND 
              IMMIGRATION RELATED CONCERNS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall appoint 
an Ombudsman for Border and Immigration Related Concerns (hereinafter 
referred to as the ``Ombudsman'') who will be independent of Department 
agencies and officers, and report directly to the Secretary. The 
Ombudsman shall have a background in immigration, civil rights, and law 
enforcement.
    (b) Functions.--The functions of the Ombudsman shall be to--
            (1) establish an independent, neutral, and confidential 
        process to receive, investigate, resolve, and provide redress, 
        including referral for investigation to the Office of the 
        Inspector General, referral to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 
        Services for immigration relief, or any other action determined 
        appropriate, in cases in which Department officers or 
        employees, or subcontracted or cooperating entity personnel, 
        are alleged to have engaged in misconduct or violated the 
        rights of individuals, associations, or employers;
            (2) establish an accessible and standardized complaint 
        process regarding complaints against any officer or employee of 
        U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and 
        Customs Enforcement, or any subcontracted or cooperating entity 
        personnel, for violations of law or violations of standards of 
        professional conduct pertaining to interaction with an alien in 
        course of carrying out any duty under law; and
            (3) identify and thereafter review, examine, and make 
        recommendations to address chronic concerns in border security 
        and enforcement activities of U.S. Customs and Border 
        Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
    (c) Report on the Impact of Border Enforcement Technologies and 
Operations on Border Communities.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on the Judiciary 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
Senate a report prepared by the Ombudsman that assesses current 
technologies used at United States borders, and the impact on border 
communities of such technologies on civil rights, property rights, 
privacy rights, and civil liberties.

 TITLE V--PROMOTING EFFICIENT PROCESSING OF ASYLUM SEEKERS; ADDRESSING 
IMMIGRATION COURT BACKLOGS; EFFICIENT REPATRIATION OF MIGRANTS ORDERED 
                                REMOVED.

SEC. 501. JOINT TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS RISE IN MIGRANTS.

    Pursuant to section 708 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
U.S.C. 348), not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish and 
operate a departmental Joint Task Force to coordinate border security 
operations on the southern border of the United States to address the 
rise in asylum seekers and migrants, including unaccompanied children, 
seeking asylum pursuant to section 208 of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158) or other forms of humanitarian 
protection.

SEC. 502. INCENTIVIZING APPLICATIONS AT PORTS OF ENTRY.

    (a) Access to Ports of Entry.--The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection shall ensure that individuals seeking to apply for 
asylum or other forms of relief under the immigration laws are able to 
make such applications at designated ports of arrival along the United 
States border. The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
may not engage in any practice to deny or restrict access to such ports 
of arrival by such individuals.
    (b) Migrant Protection Protocols.--An alien in proceedings under 
section 240 of the Immigration and Nationality Act may not be removed, 
returned, or otherwise physically moved outside the United States until 
the conclusion of those proceedings.

SEC. 503. STREAMLINING INTAKE OF ASYLUM SEEKERS.

    Not later than six months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall implement 
a plan to improve the efficiency and accuracy of initial intake 
processes for all individuals in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection to ensure that those individuals are transferred to the 
appropriate agency, or released with complete and accurate documents, 
within 72 hours of apprehension.

SEC. 504. PRIORITIZING PROSECUTION RESOURCES FOR ILLEGAL ENTRY.

    (a) In General.--An individual who has expressed a credible or 
reasonable fear of persecution filed an application for asylum, 
withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against 
Torture, or expressed an intent to file such an application, may not be 
prosecuted under section 275(a) or 276(a) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1325(a), 1326(a)) until the earlier of--
            (1) the date on which any such application has been finally 
        adjudicated and denied, including any appeals thereto; or
            (2) in the case of an alien who expresses an intent to file 
        such an application, the date on which any applicable time 
        limitation for the filing of such an application under section 
        208 of such Act has ended and no application has been filed.
    (b) Affirmative Defense.--In a case in which an individual is 
prosecuted under section 275(a) or 276(a) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1325(a), 1326(a)) in violation of subsection 
(a), it shall be a defense that the alien has expressed a credible or 
reasonable fear of persecution, filed an application for asylum or 
another form of protection as described in subsection (a), or expressed 
an intent to file such an application, and that such application has 
not been finally adjudicated and denied, including any appeals thereto.

SEC. 505. EXPANDING ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION.

    (a) Family Case Management Program.--The Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall expand use of the Family Case Management Program 
(described in section 226 of Public Law 116-6) for apprehended aliens 
who are members of family units arriving in the United States, and 
develop additional community-based programs to increase the number of 
enrollees in the Alternatives to Detention program.
    (b) Nonprofit Entity Contracting Partner.--The Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall contract with qualified nonprofit entities for 
the operation of the Alternatives to Detention program, including the 
Family Case Management Program and other community-based programs 
described in subsection (a).
    (c) Legal Orientation.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
ensure that enrollees in the Alternatives to Detention program, 
including the Family Case Management Program and other community-based 
programs described in subsection (a), are provided a legal orientation 
consistent with program elements described in section 604(a)(2).

SEC. 506. ELIMINATING IMMIGRATION COURT BACKLOGS.

    (a) Addressing Immigration Judge Shortages.--The Attorney General 
shall increase the total number of immigration judges by at least 55 
judges per year for each of fiscal years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 
2024.
    (b) Qualification; Selection.--The Attorney General--
            (1) shall ensure that all newly hired immigration judges 
        and Board of Immigration Appeals members are highly qualified 
        experts on immigration law and who are trained to conduct fair, 
        impartial adjudications in accordance with applicable due 
        process requirements; and
            (2) may not give any preference, in selecting immigration 
        judges, to candidates with prior government experience compared 
        to equivalent subject-matter expertise resulting from 
        nonprofit, private bar, or academic experience.
    (c) Addressing Support Staff Shortages.--Subject to the 
availability of amounts made available in advance appropriation Acts, 
the Attorney General shall ensure that each immigration judge has 
sufficient support staff, adequate technological and security 
resources, and appropriate courtroom facilities.
    (d) Additional Board of Immigration Appeals Personnel.--The 
Attorney General shall increase the number of Board of Immigration 
Appeals staff attorneys (including necessary additional support staff) 
to efficiently process cases by at least 23 attorneys per year for each 
of fiscal years 2020, 2021, and 2022.
    (e) GAO Report.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall--
            (1) conduct a study of the impediments to efficient hiring 
        of immigration court judges within the Department of Justice; 
        and
            (2) propose solutions to Congress for improving the 
        efficiency of the hiring process.

SEC. 507. IMPROVED TRAINING FOR IMMIGRATION JUDGES AND MEMBERS OF THE 
              BOARD OF IMMIGRATION APPEALS.

    (a) In General.--To ensure efficient and fair proceedings, the 
Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review shall establish 
or expand (as appropriate) training programs for immigration judges and 
members of the Board of Immigration Appeals.
    (b) Mandatory Training.--Training referred to under subsection (a) 
shall include--
            (1) expansion of the training program for new immigration 
        judges and Board members to include age-, gender-, and trauma-
        sensitivity;
            (2) continuing education regarding current developments in 
        immigration law, including through regularly available training 
        resources and an annual conference; and
            (3) training on properly crafting and dictating decisions 
        and standards of review, including improved on-bench reference 
        materials and decision templates.

SEC. 508. NEW TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE COURT EFFICIENCY.

    The Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review shall 
modernize its case management, video-teleconferencing, digital audio 
recording, and related electronic and computer-based systems, including 
by allowing for electronic filing, to improve efficiency in the 
processing of immigration proceedings.

SEC. 509. COURT APPEARANCE COMPLIANCE AND LEGAL ORIENTATION.

    (a) Access to Legal Orientation Programs To Ensure Court Appearance 
Compliance.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, in 
        consultation with the Attorney General, shall establish 
        procedures to ensure that legal orientation programs are 
        available for all aliens detained by the Department of Homeland 
        Security.
            (2) Program elements.--Programs under paragraph (1) shall 
        provide information to aliens regarding--
                    (A) the basic procedures of immigration hearings;
                    (B) the rights and obligations of aliens relating 
                to immigration hearings, including the consequences of 
                filing frivolous legal claims and of failing to appear 
                for proceedings;
                    (C) legal protections available to aliens, and the 
                procedures for requesting such protections;
                    (D) legal resources available to aliens, and lists 
                of potential legal providers; and
                    (E) other subjects determined to be appropriate and 
                necessary by the Attorney General.
            (3) Eligibility.--An alien shall be given access to legal 
        orientation programs under this subsection regardless of the 
        alien's current immigration status, prior immigration history, 
        or potential for immigration relief.
    (b) Expansion of the Information Help Desk Program for Non-Detained 
Aliens in Removal Proceedings.--The Attorney General shall expand the 
information help desk program to all immigration courts to provide 
aliens who are not detained and who have pending asylum claims access 
to information related to that alien's immigration status.

SEC. 510. IMPROVING COURT EFFICIENCY AND REDUCING COSTS BY INCREASING 
              ACCESS TO LEGAL INFORMATION.

    (a) Appointment of Counsel in Certain Cases; Right To Review 
Certain Documents in Removal Proceedings.--Section 240(b) of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229a(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``, at no expense to the 
                        Government,''; and
                            (ii) by striking the comma at the end and 
                        inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as 
                subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively;
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
                following:
                    ``(B) the Attorney General may appoint or provide 
                counsel, at Government expense, to aliens in 
                immigration proceedings;
                    ``(C) the alien shall, at the beginning of the 
                proceedings or as expeditiously as possible thereafter, 
                receive a complete copy of all relevant documents in 
                the possession of the Department of Homeland Security, 
                including all documents (other than documents protected 
                from disclosure by privilege, including national 
                security information referred to in subparagraph (D), 
                law enforcement sensitive information, and information 
                prohibited from disclosure pursuant to any other 
                provision of law) contained in the file maintained by 
                the Government that includes information with respect 
                to all transactions involving the alien during the 
                immigration process (commonly referred to as an `A-
                file'), and all documents pertaining to the alien that 
                the Department of Homeland Security has obtained or 
                received from other government agencies, unless the 
                alien waives the right to receive such documents by 
                executing a knowing and voluntary written waiver in a 
                language that he or she understands;''; and
                    (D) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by 
                striking ``, and'' and inserting ``; and''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(8) Failure to provide alien required documents.--In the 
        absence of a written waiver under paragraph (4)(C), a removal 
        proceeding may not proceed until the alien--
                    ``(A) has received the documents as required under 
                such paragraph; and
                    ``(B) has been provided meaningful time to review 
                and assess such documents.''.
    (b) Clarification Regarding the Authority of the Attorney General 
To Appoint Counsel to Aliens in Immigration Proceedings.--Section 292 
of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1362) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``In any'' and inserting the following:
    ``(a) In General.--In any proceeding conducted under section 235, 
236, 238, 240, 241, or any other section of this Act, in any'';
            (2) in subsection (a), as redesignated--
                    (A) by striking ``(at no expense to the 
                Government)''; and
                    (B) by striking ``he shall'' and inserting ``the 
                person shall''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Access to Counsel.--The Attorney General may appoint or 
provide counsel to aliens in any proceeding conducted under section 
235, 236, 238, 240, or 241 or any other section of this Act. The 
Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that aliens have access to 
counsel inside all immigration detention and border facilities.''.
    (c) Appointment of Counsel for Children and Vulnerable Aliens.--
            (1) In general.--Section 292 of the Immigration and 
        Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1362), as amended by paragraph (2), 
        is further amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Children and Vulnerable Individuals.--Notwithstanding 
subsection (b), the Attorney General shall appoint counsel at the 
expense of the Government to any person financially unable to obtain 
adequate representation at the beginning of the proceedings or as 
expeditiously as possible, to represent in such proceedings any alien 
who has been determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the 
Attorney General to be--
            ``(1) a child (as defined in section 101(b)(1) of this 
        Act);
            ``(2) a particularly vulnerable individual, including--
                    ``(A) a person with a disability;
                    ``(B) a victim of abuse, torture, or violence; or
                    ``(C) a pregnant or lactating woman; or
            ``(3) the parent of a United States citizen minor.
    ``(d) Extension to Consolidated Cases.--If the Attorney General has 
consolidated the case of any alien for whom counsel was appointed under 
subsection (c) with that of any other alien, and that other alien does 
not have counsel, then the counsel appointed under subsection (c) shall 
be appointed to represent such other alien unless there is a 
demonstrated conflict of interest.''.
            (2) Rulemaking.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this title, the Attorney General shall promulgate 
        regulations to implement section 292(c) of the Immigration and 
        Nationality Act, as added by paragraph (1).
    (d) In General.--Chapter 9 of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 295. SUPPLEMENTARY SURCHARGE.

    ``(a) In General.--There is established in the general fund of the 
Treasury a separate account which shall be known as the `Immigration 
Counsel Account'. Notwithstanding any other section of this title, 
there shall be deposited as offsetting receipts into the Immigration 
Counsel Account all fees collected under subsection (c) of this 
section, to remain available until expended for purposes of providing 
access to counsel when required or authorized under this Act.
    ``(b) Report.--At the end of each 2-year period, beginning with the 
creation of this account, the Secretary of Homeland Security, following 
a public rulemaking with opportunity for notice and comment, shall 
submit a report to the Congress concerning the status of the account, 
including any balances therein, and recommend any adjustment in the 
prescribed fee that may be required to ensure that the receipts 
collected from the fee charged for the succeeding two years equal, as 
closely as possible, the cost of providing access to counsel when 
required or authorized under this Act.
    ``(c) Receipts.--In any case in which a fee is charged pursuant to 
this Act or any of the other immigration laws, an additional surcharge 
of $25 shall also be imposed and collected.''.
    (e) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for such Act is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 294 the 
following:

``Sec. 295. Supplementary surcharge.''.
    (f) Motions To Reopen.--Section 240(c)(7)(C) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229a(c)(7)(C)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
                            ``(v) Special rule for children and other 
                        vulnerable aliens.--If the Attorney General 
                        fails to appoint counsel for an alien in 
                        violation of section 292(c)--
                                    ``(I) no limitation under this 
                                paragraph pertaining to the filing of 
                                any motion under this paragraph by such 
                                alien shall apply; and
                                    ``(II) the filing of such a motion 
                                shall stay the removal of the alien.''.

SEC. 511. FACILITATING SAFE AND EFFICIENT REPATRIATION.

    (a) United States Support for Reintegration.--The Secretary of 
State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the 
Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development, shall coordinate with the governments of El Salvador, 
Guatemala, and Honduras to develop and fund programs for the successful 
reintegration of families, unaccompanied children, and other aliens 
repatriated to their countries of origin by--
            (1) providing comprehensive reintegration services at the 
        municipal level for repatriated aliens, including family 
        reunification and access to medical and psychosocial services;
            (2) supporting the establishment of educational and 
        vocational centers for repatriated aliens that provide skills 
        training relevant to national and local economic needs;
            (3) promoting the hiring of repatriated aliens in the 
        private sector, including strategic partnerships with specific 
        industries and businesses;
            (4) supporting the issuance of appropriate documents to 
        repatriated aliens, including identification documents, 
        documents related to educational attainment, and documents 
        certifying skill attainment; and
            (5) monitoring repatriated unaccompanied children to ensure 
        they have been adequately screened and processed in the United 
        States.
    (b) Consultation With Nongovernmental Organizations.--In developing 
reintegration programs in countries of repatriation, the Secretary of 
State shall consult with nongovernmental organizations in such 
countries and the United States with experience in integrating 
repatriated individuals and families, protecting and ensuring the 
welfare of unaccompanied alien children, and promoting economic 
development and skills acquisition.

   TITLE VI--PROTECTING FAMILY VALUES AND MONITORING AND CARING FOR 
              UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN AFTER ARRIVAL.

SEC. 601. LIMITATION ON THE SEPARATION OF FAMILIES.

    (a) In General.--An agent or officer of U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection may not remove a child from his or her parent or legal 
guardian, at the port of entry or within 100 miles of a border of the 
United States, unless one of the following has occurred:
            (1) A State court, authorized under State law, terminates 
        the rights of the parent or legal guardian, determines that it 
        is in the best interests of the child to be removed from the 
        parent or legal guardian, in accordance with the Adoption and 
        Safe Families Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-89), or makes any 
        similar determination that is legally authorized under State 
        law.
            (2) An official from a State or county child welfare agency 
        with expertise in child trauma and development makes a best 
        interests determination that the child be removed from the 
        parent or legal guardian because the child is in danger of 
        abuse or neglect at the hands of the parent or legal guardian, 
        or is a danger to herself or others.
            (3) The Chief Patrol Agent or the Area Port Director in 
        their official and undelegated capacity, authorizes separation 
        upon the recommendation by an agent or officer, based on a 
        finding that--
                    (A) the child is a victim of trafficking or is at 
                significant risk of becoming a victim of trafficking;
                    (B) there is a strong likelihood that the adult is 
                not the parent or legal guardian of the child; or
                    (C) the child is in danger of abuse or neglect at 
                the hands of the parent or legal guardian, or is a 
                danger to themselves or others.
    (b) Exception.--If a child is removed from his or her parent or 
legal guardian under this section, an independent child welfare expert 
licensed by the State or county in which the child was so removed, must 
authorize the separation not later than 48 hours after such removal, 
and if such expert does not authorize such separation, the child shall 
be reunited with his or her parent or legal guardian not later than 48 
hours after such determination.
    (c) Prohibition on Separation.--
            (1) In general.--A designated agency may not remove a child 
        from a parent or legal guardian solely for the policy goal of 
        deterring individuals from migrating to the United States or 
        for the policy goal of promoting compliance with civil 
        immigration laws.
            (2) Penalty for family separation.--Any person who 
        knowingly separates a child from his or her parent or legal 
        guardian in violation of this section, shall be fined not more 
        than $10,000.
    (d) Documentation Required.--The Secretary shall ensure that a 
separation under subsection (a)(3) is documented in writing and 
includes, at a minimum, the reason for such separation, together with 
the stated evidence for such separation. The Secretary shall take such 
actions as may be feasible to acquire written documentation pertaining 
to any separation under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2).

SEC. 602. FAMILY REUNIFICATION.

    (a) Family Reunification.--The Secretary shall reallocate resources 
to expedite the immediate reunification of each child separated from a 
parent or legal guardian at or near a port of entry or within 100 miles 
of the border, or otherwise removed from a parent or legal guardian by 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Homeland 
Security, the Attorney General, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, 
or any agent or agency thereof, if the prior removal was not in 
conformity with section 601, regardless of when the separation took 
place.
    (b) Parental Rights.--Consistent with the laws of the State in 
which the child is located, only an order from a court of competent 
jurisdiction may terminate the rights of a parent or legal guardian, 
including the rights of a parent or legal guardian separated from a 
child in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security.

SEC. 603. PROHIBITING USE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION.

    The Secretary of Homeland Security may not use information 
initially obtained by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
including information used to make a suitability determination, a home 
study determination, or a secure facility determination, for the 
purpose of apprehending, detaining, or removing from the United 
States--
            (1) an unaccompanied alien child;
            (2) the proposed sponsor or current sponsor; or
            (3) a resident of the home in which the proposed sponsor or 
        current sponsor resides.

SEC. 604. RESPONSIBILITY OF SPONSOR FOR IMMIGRATION COURT COMPLIANCE 
              AND CHILD WELL-BEING.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in 
consultation with the Attorney General, shall establish procedures to 
ensure that a legal orientation program is provided to all sponsors of 
unaccompanied alien children prior to the placement with a sponsor.
    (b) Program Elements.--Programs under subsection (a) shall provide 
information to sponsors regarding--
            (1) the basic procedures of immigration hearings;
            (2) the rights and obligations of the unaccompanied alien 
        child relating to immigration hearings, including the 
        consequences of filing frivolous legal claims and of failing to 
        appear for proceedings;
            (3) the obligation of the sponsor to ensure the 
        unaccompanied alien child appears at immigration court 
        proceedings, and notify the court of the child's change of 
        address and other relevant information;
            (4) legal protections available to unaccompanied alien 
        children, and the procedures for requesting such protections;
            (5) legal resources available to unaccompanied alien 
        children, and lists of potential legal providers;
            (6) the sponsor's obligation to address the needs of the 
        unaccompanied alien child, including providing access to health 
        care and enrolling the child in an educational institution;
            (7) the importance of reporting potential child traffickers 
        and other persons seeking to victimize or exploit unaccompanied 
        alien children, or otherwise engage such children in criminal, 
        harmful, or dangerous activity; and
            (8) other subjects determined to be appropriate and 
        necessary by the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the 
        Attorney General.

SEC. 605. MONITORING UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN.

    (a) Risk-Based Post-Placement Services.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
        shall, to assist an unaccompanied alien child in a placement 
        with a sponsor--
                    (A) complete an individualized assessment of the 
                need for services to be provided after placement;
                    (B) provide such post-placement services to the 
                child during the pendency of removal proceedings or 
                until no longer necessary; and
                    (C) assess whether a child's separation from a 
                detained parent is causing hardship such that the 
                parent should be recommended for humanitarian parole in 
                the best interests of the child.
            (2) Minimum services.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the 
        services shall, at a minimum, include--
                    (A) for the unaccompanied alien child, at least one 
                in-person post-placement case management services visit 
                within 30 days after placement with a sponsor, the 
                referral of unaccompanied alien children to service 
                providers in the community, and support on enrollment 
                in an educational institution; and
                    (B) for the family of the child's sponsor, 
                orientation and other functional family support 
                services, as determined to be necessary in the 
                individualized assessment.
            (3) Identifying new areas of vulnerability.--Within 90 days 
        after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the 
        Office for Refugee Resettlement shall consult with family 
        reunification service providers on the emergence of new or 
        additional risk factors for children that would necessitate 
        mandatory family reunification services.
    (b) Effective Use of Child Advocates for the Most Vulnerable 
Unaccompanied Alien Children.--
            (1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall 
        instruct the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement 
        to--
                    (A) identify and track the referral rates of 
                unaccompanied alien children to child advocates by care 
                providers and investigate instances in which such a 
                rate is low;
                    (B) ensure that the referral criteria established 
                by the Director are appropriately applied when a care 
                provider determines that a child is eligible for 
                referral to a child advocate;
                    (C) provide technical assistance to care providers 
                to ensure compliance with such criteria; and
                    (D) establish a process for stakeholders and the 
                public to refer unaccompanied alien children, including 
                those placed with a sponsor, to the Office for Refugee 
                Resettlement to determine if such child meets the 
                referral criteria for appointment of a child advocate; 
                and
            (2) ensure that each child advocate for an unaccompanied 
        alien child is--
                    (A) provided access to materials necessary to 
                advocate effectively for the best interest of the 
                child, including direct access to significant incident 
                reports, home studies, and similar materials and 
                information; and
                    (B) notified when new materials and information 
                described in subparagraph (A) relating to the child are 
                created or become available.

SEC. 606. FUNDING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN.

    (a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of Education shall award 
grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible local educational agencies, 
or consortia of neighboring local educational agencies, described in 
subsection (b) to enable the local educational agencies or consortia to 
enhance opportunities for, and provide services to, immigrant children 
including unaccompanied alien children, in the area served by the local 
educational agencies or consortia.
    (b) Eligible Local Educational Agencies.--
            (1) In general.--A local educational agency, or a 
        consortium of neighboring local educational agencies, is 
        eligible for a grant under subsection (a) if, during the fiscal 
        year for which a grant is awarded under this section, there are 
        50 or more unaccompanied alien children enrolled in the public 
        schools served by the local educational agency or the 
        consortium, respectively.
            (2) Determinations of number of unaccompanied alien 
        children.--The Secretary of Education shall determine the 
        number of unaccompanied alien children for purposes of 
        paragraph (1) based on the most accurate data available that is 
        provided to the Secretary of Education by the Director or the 
        Department of Homeland Security.
    (c) Applications.--A local educational agency, or a consortia of 
neighboring local educational agencies, desiring a grant under this 
section shall submit an application to the Secretary of Education at 
such time, in such manner, and containing such information, as the 
Secretary of Education may require, including a description of how the 
grant will be used to enhance opportunities for, and provide services 
to, immigrant children and youth (including unaccompanied alien 
children) and their families.

SEC. 607. SCHOOL ENROLLMENT.

    To be eligible for funding under the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), a local educational 
agency shall take measures to--
            (1) ensure that an unaccompanied alien child in the area 
        served by the local educational agency is enrolled in school 
        within 7 days following a request for enrollment; and
            (2) remove barriers to enrollment and full participation in 
        educational programs and services offered by the local 
        educational agency for unaccompanied alien children (including 
        barriers related to documentation, age, and language), which 
        shall include reviewing and revising policies that may have a 
        negative effect on such children.

SEC. 608. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this title:
            (1) Agent or officer.--The term ``agent or officer'' 
        includes contractors of the Federal Government.
            (2) Child.--The term ``child'' means an individual who--
                    (A) has not reached the age of 18; and
                    (B) has no permanent immigration status.
            (3) Designated agency.--The term ``designated agency'' 
        means--
                    (A) the Department of Homeland Security;
                    (B) the Department of Justice; and
                    (C) the Department of Health and Human Services.
            (4) Finding.--The term ``finding'' means an individualized 
        written assessment or screening formalized as required under 
        subsection (d).
            (5) In danger of abuse or neglect at the hand of the parent 
        or legal guardian.--The term ``in danger of abuse or neglect at 
        the hands of the parent or legal guardian'' does not include 
        migrating to or crossing of a border of the United States.
            (6) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational 
        agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        7801).
            (7) Resident adult.--The term ``resident adult'' means any 
        individual who is at least 18 years of age and regularly lives, 
        shares common areas, and sleeps in a sponsor or prospective 
        sponsor's home.
            (8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Homeland Security.
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