[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Pages 10015-10024]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Schumer, Mrs. Murray, 
        Mr. Leahy, Mr. Carper, and Mr. Cardin):
  S. 3106. A bill to provide a coordinated regional response to 
effectively manage the endemic violence and humanitarian crisis in El 
Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the 
bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 3106

       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 ``Secure the 
     Northern Triangle Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 4. Definitions.

[[Page 10016]]

 TITLE I--ADVANCING REFORMS IN CENTRAL AMERICA TO ADDRESS THE FACTORS 
                           DRIVING MIGRATION

Subtitle A--Strengthening the Capacity of Central American Governments 
              to Protect and Provide for Their Own People

Sec. 111. Authorization of appropriations for United States strategy 
              for engagement in Central America.
Sec. 112. Strengthening the rule of law and combating corruption.
Sec. 113. Combating criminal violence and improving citizen security.
Sec. 114. Tackling extreme poverty and advancing economic development.

   Subtitle B--Conditions, Limitations, and Certifications on United 
                           States Assistance

Sec. 121. Assistance funding available without condition.
Sec. 122. Conditions on assistance related to smuggling, screening, and 
              safety of migrants.
Sec. 123. Conditions on assistance related to progress on specific 
              issues.

   Subtitle C--Effectively Coordinating United States Engagement in 
                            Central America

Sec. 131. United States Coordinator for Engagement in Central America.

Subtitle D--United States Leadership for Engaging International Donors 
                              and Partners

Sec. 141. Requirement for strategy to secure support of international 
              donors and partners.

    TITLE II--CRACKING DOWN ON SMUGGLERS, CARTELS, AND TRAFFICKERS 
                    EXPLOITING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Subtitle A--Strengthening Cooperation Among Law Enforcement Agencies to 
                    Target Smugglers and Traffickers

Sec. 211. Enhanced international cooperation to combat human smuggling 
              and trafficking.
Sec. 212. Enhanced investigation and prosecution of human smuggling and 
              trafficking.
Sec. 213. Information campaign on dangers of migration.

 Subtitle B--Strengthening the Ability of the United States Government 
       to Crack Down on Smugglers, Traffickers, and Drug Cartels

Sec. 221. Enhanced penalties for organized smuggling schemes.
Sec. 222. Expanding financial sanctions on narcotics trafficking and 
              money laundering.

 Subtitle C--Creating New Penalties for Hindering Immigration, Border, 
                          and Customs Controls

Sec. 231. Hindering immigration, border, and customs controls.

   TITLE III--MINIMIZING BORDER CROSSINGS BY EXPANDING PROCESSING OF 
       REFUGEE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN-COUNTRY AND IN THE REGION

 Subtitle A--Providing Alternative Safe Havens in Mexico and the Region

Sec. 311. Strengthening internal asylum systems in Mexico and other 
              countries.

Subtitle B--Expanding Refugee Processing in Mexico and Central America 
                     for Third Country Resettlement

Sec. 321. Expanding refugee processing in Mexico and Central America 
              for third country resettlement.

  Subtitle C--Improving the Efficiency of the Central American Minors 
                                Program

Sec. 331. Expansion.
Sec. 332. Expedited processing.
Sec. 333. Referral to UNHCR.

TITLE IV--MONITORING AND SUPPORTING UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN AFTER 
                        PROCESSING AT THE BORDER

Sec. 401. Definitions; authorization of appropriations.

   Subtitle A--Strengthening the Government's Ability to Oversee the 
                   Safety and Well-Being of Children

Sec. 411. Background checks to ensure the safe placement of 
              unaccompanied alien children.
Sec. 412. Responsibility of sponsor for immigration court compliance 
              and child well-being.
Sec. 413. Monitoring unaccompanied alien children.

    Subtitle B--Funding to States and School Districts; Supporting 
                          Education and Safety

Sec. 421. Funding to States to conduct State criminal checks and child 
              abuse and neglect checks.
Sec. 422. Funding to school districts for unaccompanied alien children.
Sec. 423. Immediate enrollment of unaccompanied alien children in 
              schools.

    TITLE V--ENSURING ORDERLY AND HUMANE MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN AND 
                      FAMILIES SEEKING PROTECTION

 Subtitle A--Providing a Fair and Efficient Legal Process for Children 
                 and Vulnerable Families Seeking Asylum

Sec. 511. Court appearance compliance and legal orientation.
Sec. 512. Fair day in court for kids.

      Subtitle B--Reducing Significant Delays in Immigration Court

Sec. 521. Eliminate immigration court backlogs.
Sec. 522. Improved training for immigration judges and members of the 
              Board of Immigration Appeals.
Sec. 523. New technology to improve court efficiency.

           Subtitle C--Reducing the Likelihood of Remigration

Sec. 531. Establishing reintegration and monitoring services for 
              repatriating children.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Since 2006, incidents of murder, other violent crime, 
     and corruption perpetrated by armed criminal gangs and 
     illicit trafficking organizations have risen alarmingly in El 
     Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras (referred to in this Act as 
     the ``Northern Triangle'').
       (2) In 2013, Honduras had the highest per capita homicide 
     rate of any nation in the world, with 90.4 murders for every 
     100,000 people in the country. El Salvador and Guatemala were 
     in the top 5 countries with the highest per capita homicide 
     rates.
       (3) Since 2013, El Salvador's murder rate rose sharply to 
     become the highest of any country in the world in 2015 at 
     108.5 homicides for every 100,000 people, following a 
     dramatic escalation of violence between the country's 2 
     largest armed criminal gangs, Mara Salvatrucha (commonly 
     known as ``MS-13'') and Barrio 18.
       (4) According to the United Nations International 
     Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the per capita homicide 
     rate for children in El Salvador and Guatemala is higher than 
     any other country in the world. In 2014, 27 out of every 
     100,000 children were murdered in El Salvador.
       (5) According to the United Nations High Commissioner for 
     Refugees (UNHCR), Honduras and El Salvador have the highest 
     per capita female homicide rates in the world. In 2014, 90 
     out of every 100,000 females were murdered in Honduras
       (6) In April 2016, UNHCR's spokesperson stated, ``The 
     number of people fleeing violence in Central America has 
     surged to levels not seen since the region was wracked by 
     armed conflicts in the 1980s. Action is urgently needed to 
     ensure that unaccompanied children and others receive the 
     protection to which they are entitled.''.
       (7) Since 2013, individuals fleeing the Northern Triangle 
     have sought sanctuary in neighboring countries and there has 
     recently been a 1,185 percent increase in the number of 
     asylum applications from citizens of El Salvador, Guatemala, 
     and Honduras to the Governments of Mexico, Panama, Nicaragua, 
     Costa Rica and Belize.
       (8) Unaccompanied minors from the Northern Triangle now 
     make up the majority of unaccompanied minors encountered at 
     the international border between the United States and 
     Mexico, with the fastest increase occurring among children 
     younger than 12 years of age.
       (9) Human smugglers are increasingly responsible for the 
     transit of migrants from the Northern Triangle to the United 
     States. According to the Government Accountability Office, 
     human smugglers frequently use aggressive and misleading 
     marketing to recruit migrants.
       (10) Many female migrants face rape and sexual violence 
     during the journey, either from smugglers or others 
     encountered on the route, or risk being trafficked for sex or 
     labor.
       (11) Challenges to the rule of law in the Northern Triangle 
     have been exacerbated by the limited ability and lack of 
     political will on the part of governments to investigate and 
     prosecute those responsible for murder. In 2014, 
     approximately 95 percent of murders remained unresolved in 
     Honduras and El Salvador.
       (12) The presence of major drug trafficking organizations 
     in the Northern Triangle contributes to violence, corruption, 
     and criminality. The 2016 International Narcotics Control 
     Strategy Report prepared by the Department of State estimated 
     that ``approximately 90 percent of the cocaine trafficked to 
     the United States in the first half of 2015 first transited 
     through the Mexico/Central America corridor''.
       (13) Widespread public sector corruption in the Northern 
     Triangle undermines economic and social development and 
     directly affects regional political stability, as 
     demonstrated by the indictment and resignation of former 
     Guatemalan president Otto Perez Molina on corruption charges.
       (14) Human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists, 
     social leaders, and LGBT activists in the Northern Triangle 
     face dire conditions, as evidenced by the March 2016 murder 
     of Honduran activist Berta Caceres and the targeted killing 
     of more than 200 such civil society leaders since 2006. 
     Almost none of these cases have resulted in convictions.
       (15) The Northern Triangle struggles with high levels of 
     economic insecurity. In 2014, more than 62 percent of 
     Hondurans, more than 59 percent of Guatemalans, and more than 
     31 percent of Salvadorans lived below the poverty line.
       (16) Weak investment climates and low levels of educational 
     opportunity are barriers to inclusive economic growth and 
     social development in the Northern Triangle.

[[Page 10017]]

       (17) Although the CAM Program has approval rates of nearly 
     98 percent, due to limited resources, of the 8,920 children 
     that have applied for humanitarian protection, only 626 have 
     been conditionally approved and only 368 have entered the 
     United States.
       (18) Approximately 50 percent of unaccompanied minors 
     facing United States immigration proceedings receive legal 
     representation. Children with legal counsel appeared at their 
     hearings more than 95 percent of the time.
       (19) As of May 2016, 492,978 cases were pending before 
     immigration courts, with such cases taking an average of 553 
     days to reach a final decision.

     SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the United States must address the violence and 
     humanitarian crisis resulting in the elevated numbers of 
     unaccompanied children, women, and refugees from the Northern 
     Triangle arriving at the Southwestern border of the United 
     States;
       (2) the violence and humanitarian crisis has been prompted 
     by the severe challenges posed by--
       (A) high rates of homicide, sexual violence, and violent 
     crime perpetrated by armed criminal actors;
       (B) endemic corruption; and
       (C) the limited ability and the lack of political will on 
     the part of governments to protect their citizens and uphold 
     the rule of law in the Northern Triangle;
       (3) the United States must work with international 
     partners--
       (A) to address the complicated conditions in the Northern 
     Triangle that contribute to the violence and humanitarian 
     crisis; and
       (B) to protect vulnerable populations, particularly women 
     and children, fleeing violence in the region;
       (4) the Plan of the Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern 
     Triangle, which was developed by the Governments of El 
     Salvador, of Guatemala, and of Honduras, with the technical 
     assistance of the Inter-American Development Bank, represents 
     a comprehensive approach to address the complex situation in 
     the Northern Triangle;
       (5) the U.S. Strategy for Engagement in Central America, as 
     articulated by President Obama and Vice President Biden, 
     provides important support for the Alliance for Prosperity 
     and other United States national security priorities, 
     including rule of law and anti-corruption initiatives;
       (6) combating corruption in the Northern Triangle must 
     remain a critical priority and the United Nation's Commission 
     Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) and the Organization of 
     American States' Mission to Support the Fight Against 
     Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) are important 
     contributions to this effort;
       (7) the CAM Program provides a safe, legal, and orderly 
     alternative to children fleeing violence in the Northern 
     Triangle;
       (8) the United States must--
       (A) expand the CAM Program to ensure the safe and orderly 
     processing of refugee children in the region;
       (B) strengthen internal asylum systems in Mexico and other 
     countries in the region to protect and process eligible 
     children and families, including establishing and expanding 
     in-country reception centers;
       (C) expand access to legal representation for unaccompanied 
     alien children facing United States immigration proceedings; 
     and
       (D) reduce delays in immigration courts, which contribute 
     to misinformation that migrants who come to the United States 
     will not be removed; and
       (9) it is imperative for the United States to sustain a 
     long-term commitment to addressing the factors causing 
     Central Americans to flee their countries by strengthening 
     citizen security, the rule of law, democratic governance, the 
     protection of human rights, and inclusive economic growth in 
     the Northern Triangle.

     SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) CAM program.--The term ``CAM Program'' means the 
     Central American Minors Refugee/Parole Program administered 
     by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
       (2) Intelligence community.--The term ``intelligence 
     community'' has the meaning given the term in section 3(4) of 
     the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)).
       (3) Northern triangle.--The term ``Northern Triangle'' 
     means the El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
       (4) Placement.--The term ``placement'' means the placement 
     of an unaccompanied alien child with a sponsor.
       (5) Plan.--The term ``Plan'' means the Plan of the Alliance 
     for Prosperity in the Northern Triangle.
       (6) Sponsor.--The term ``sponsor'' means a sponsor referred 
     to in section 462(b)(4) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 
     (6 U.S.C. 279(b)(4)).
       (7) Unaccompanied alien child.--The term ``unaccompanied 
     alien child'' has the meaning given the term in section 
     462(g) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
     279(g)).

 TITLE I--ADVANCING REFORMS IN CENTRAL AMERICA TO ADDRESS THE FACTORS 
                           DRIVING MIGRATION

Subtitle A--Strengthening the Capacity of Central American Governments 
              to Protect and Provide for Their Own People

     SEC. 111. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR UNITED STATES 
                   STRATEGY FOR ENGAGEMENT IN CENTRAL AMERICA.

       (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     $1,040,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 to carry out the United 
     States Strategy for Engagement in Central America, as defined 
     by the objectives set forth in subsection (b). Amounts 
     appropriated pursuant to this subsection shall remain 
     available until expended.
       (b) Use of Funds.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to 
     subsection (a) may be made available for assistance to 
     Central American countries to implement the United States 
     Strategy for Engagement in Central America in support of the 
     Plan, including efforts--
       (1) to strengthen the rule of law and bolster the 
     effectiveness of judicial systems, public prosecutors' 
     offices, and civilian police forces;
       (2) to combat corruption and improve public sector 
     transparency;
       (3) to confront and counter the violence and crime 
     perpetrated by armed criminal gangs, illicit trafficking 
     organizations, and organized crime;
       (4) to disrupt money laundering operations and the illicit 
     financial networks of armed criminal gangs, illicit 
     trafficking organizations, and human smugglers;
       (5) to strengthen democratic governance and promote greater 
     respect for internationally-recognized human rights, labor 
     rights, fundamental freedoms, and the media;
       (6) to enhance the capability of Central American 
     governments to protect and provide for vulnerable and at-risk 
     populations;
       (7) to address the underlying causes of poverty and 
     inequality; and
       (8) to address the constraints to inclusive economic growth 
     in Central America.
       (c) Prioritization.--The Secretary of State and the 
     Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
     Development shall prioritize the provision of assistance 
     authorized under this section to address the key factors in 
     Central American countries that contribute to the flight of 
     unaccompanied alien children and other individuals to the 
     United States.

     SEC. 112. STRENGTHENING THE RULE OF LAW AND COMBATING 
                   CORRUPTION.

       (a) In General.--Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to 
     section 111(a), $260,000,000 may be made available 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.
       (b) Assistance for Central America.--The Secretary and the 
     Administrator may use the amounts made available under 
     subsection (a) to provide assistance for Central American 
     countries through the activities described in subsection (c).
       (c) Authorized Activities.--Activities described in this 
     section include--
       (1) strengthening the rule of law in Central American 
     countries by providing support for--
       (A) the Office of the Attorney General and public 
     prosecutors in each such country, including the enhancement 
     of their forensics and communications interception 
     capabilities;
       (B) reforms leading to independent, merit-based, selection 
     processes for judges and prosecutors, and relevant ethics and 
     professional training;
       (C) the improvement of victim and witness protection; and
       (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 
     (CICIG) and the Support Mission Against Corruption and 
     Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH);
       (C) civil society watchdogs conducting oversight of 
     executive branch officials and functions, police and security 
     forces, and judicial officials and public prosecutors; and
       (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 career 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 of political party and campaign finance 
     laws; and
       (D) local governments and their capacity to provide 
     critical safety, education, health, and sanitation services 
     to citizens; and
       (4) defending human rights by providing support for--
       (A) human rights ombudsman offices;
       (B) government protection programs that provide physical 
     protection to human rights defenders, journalists, trade 
     unionists, and civil society activists at risk;
       (C) civil society organizations that promote and defend 
     human rights, freedom of

[[Page 10018]]

     expression, freedom of the press, labor rights, and LGBT 
     rights; and
       (D) civil society organizations that address sexual, 
     domestic, and inter-partner violence against women and 
     protect victims of such violence.

     SEC. 113. COMBATING CRIMINAL VIOLENCE AND IMPROVING CITIZEN 
                   SECURITY.

       (a) In General.--Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to 
     section 111(a), $260,000,000 may be made available 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 smugglers.
       (b) Assistance for Central America.--The Secretary and the 
     Administrator may use the amounts made available under 
     subsection (a) to provide assistance for Central American 
     countries through the activities described in subsection (c).
       (c) Authorized Activities.--Activities described in this 
     section include--
       (1) professionalizing civilian police forces by providing 
     support for--
       (A) the reform of personnel 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;
       (C) community policing policies and programs;
       (D) the establishment of special vetted units;
       (E) training on the appropriate use of force and human 
     rights;
       (F) training on civilian intelligence collection, 
     investigative techniques, forensic analysis, and evidence 
     preservation;
       (G) equipment, such as nonintrusive inspection equipment 
     and communications interception technology;
       (2) countering illicit trafficking by providing assistance 
     to the civilian law enforcement and armed forces of Central 
     American countries, including support for--
       (A) the establishment of special vetted units;
       (B) the enhancement of intelligence collection capacity;
       (C) the reform of personnel vetting and dismissal 
     processes, including the enhancement of polygraph capability 
     for use in such processes;
       (D) port, airport, and border security equipment, 
     including--
       (i) computer infrastructure and data management systems;
       (ii) secure communications technologies;
       (iii) communications interception technology;
       (iv) nonintrusive inspection equipment; and
       (v) radar and aerial surveillance equipment;
       (3) disrupting illicit financial networks by providing 
     support for--
       (A) finance ministries, including the enhancement of the 
     capacity to use 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 smugglers, 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; and
       (4) improving crime prevention by providing support for--
       (A) programs that address domestic violence and violence 
     against women;
       (B) the enhancement of programs for at-risk and criminal-
     involved youth, including the improvement of community 
     centers; and
       (C) alternative livelihood programs.
       (d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) operational technology transferred to governments in 
     Central America for intelligence or law enforcement purposes 
     should be used solely for the purposes for which the 
     technology was intended; and
       (2) the United States should take all necessary steps to 
     ensure that the use of operation technology described in 
     paragraph (1) is consistent with United States law, including 
     protections of freedom of expression, freedom of movement, 
     and freedom of association.

     SEC. 114. TACKLING EXTREME POVERTY AND ADVANCING ECONOMIC 
                   DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) In General.--Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to 
     section 111(a), $230,000,000 may be made available to the 
     Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States 
     Agency for International Development--
       (1) to address the underlying causes of poverty and 
     inequality; and
       (2) to improve economic development.
       (b) Assistance for Central America.--The Secretary and the 
     Administrator may use the amounts made available under 
     subsection (a) to provide assistance for Central American 
     countries through the activities described in subsection (c).
       (c) Authorized Activities.--Activities described in this 
     section include--
       (1) strengthening human capital by providing support for--
       (A) workforce development and entrepreneurship training 
     programs that are driven by market demand, specifically 
     programs that prioritize women, at-risk youth, and 
     minorities;
       (B) improving early-grade literacy and the improvement of 
     primary and secondary school curricula;
       (C) relevant professional training for teachers and 
     educational administrators; and
       (D) educational policy reform and improvement of education 
     sector budgeting;
       (2) enhancing economic competitiveness and investment 
     climate by providing support for--
       (A) small business development centers and programs that 
     strengthen supply chain integration;
       (B) trade facilitation and customs harmonization programs;
       (C) reducing energy costs through investments in clean 
     technologies and the reform of energy policies and 
     regulations;
       (D) the improvement of protections for investors, including 
     dispute resolution and arbitration mechanisms; and
       (E) the improvement of labor and environmental standards, 
     in accordance with the Dominican Republic-Central America 
     Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR);
       (3) strengthening food security by providing support for--
       (A) small-scale agriculture, including technical training 
     and programs that facilitate access to credit;
       (B) agricultural value chain development for farming 
     communities;
       (C) nutrition programs to reduce childhood stunting rates; 
     and
       (D) investment in scientific research on climate change and 
     climate resiliency; and
       (4) improving the state of fiscal and financial affairs 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.

   Subtitle B--Conditions, Limitations, and Certifications on United 
                           States Assistance

     SEC. 121. ASSISTANCE FUNDING AVAILABLE WITHOUT CONDITION.

       The Secretary of State may obligate up to 25 percent of the 
     amounts appropriated pursuant to section 111(a) to carry out 
     the United States Strategy for Engagement in Central America 
     in support of the Plan.

     SEC. 122. CONDITIONS ON ASSISTANCE RELATED TO SMUGGLING, 
                   SCREENING, AND SAFETY OF MIGRANTS.

       (a) Notification and Cooperation.--In addition to the 
     amounts authorized to be obligated under sections 121 and 
     123, the Secretary of State may obligate an additional 25 
     percent of the amounts appropriated pursuant to section 
     111(a) for assistance to the Government of El Salvador, the 
     Government of Guatemala, and the Government of Honduras after 
     the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security, certifies and reports to Congress that 
     such governments are taking effective steps, in addition to 
     steps taken during previous years, to--
       (1) combat human smuggling and trafficking, 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 
     humanitarian protection asylum, in accordance with 
     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 do not qualify for 
     refugee or other protected status, in accordance with 
     international law;
       (4) improve reintegration services for repatriated migrants 
     in a manner that ensures the safety and well-being of the 
     individual and reduces the likelihood of remigration; and
       (5) cooperate with the United Nations High Commissioner for 
     Refugees to improve protections for, and the processing of, 
     vulnerable populations, particularly women and children 
     fleeing violence.

     SEC. 123. CONDITIONS ON ASSISTANCE RELATED TO PROGRESS ON 
                   SPECIFIC ISSUES.

       (a) Effective Implementation.--In addition to the amounts 
     authorized to be obligated under sections 121 and 122, the 
     Secretary of State may obligate an additional 50 percent of 
     the amounts appropriated pursuant to section 111 for 
     assistance to the Government of El Salvador, the Government 
     of Guatemala, and the Government of Honduras after the 
     Secretary consults with, and subsequently certifies and 
     reports to, the appropriate congressional committees that 
     such governments are taking effective steps in their 
     respective countries, in addition to steps taken during the 
     previous calendar year, to--
       (1) establish an autonomous, publicly accountable entity to 
     provide oversight of the Plan;

[[Page 10019]]

       (2) combat corruption, including investigating and 
     prosecuting government officials, military personnel, and 
     civil police officers credibly alleged to be corrupt;
       (3) implement reforms and strengthen the rule of law, 
     including increasing the capacity and independence of the 
     judiciary and public prosecutors;
       (4) counter the activities of armed criminal gangs, illicit 
     trafficking networks, and organized crime;
       (5) establish and implement a plan to create a 
     professional, accountable civilian police force and curtail 
     the role of the military in internal policing;
       (6) 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;
       (7) cooperate with international commissions against 
     impunity, as appropriate, and with regional human rights 
     entities;
       (8) implement reforms related to improving the transparency 
     of financing political campaigns and political parties;
       (9) protect the right of political opposition parties, 
     journalists, trade unionists, human rights defenders, and 
     other civil society activists to operate without 
     interference;
       (10) increase government revenues, including by enhancing 
     tax collection, strengthening customs agencies, and reforming 
     procurement processes;
       (11) implement reforms to strengthen educational systems, 
     vocational training programs, and programs for at-risk youth;
       (12) resolve commercial disputes, including the 
     confiscation of real property, between United States entities 
     and the respective governments; and
       (13) 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.

   Subtitle C--Effectively Coordinating United States Engagement in 
                            Central America

     SEC. 131. UNITED STATES COORDINATOR 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 all of the Federal Government's 
     efforts and the efforts of international partners to 
     strengthen citizen security, the rule of law, and economic 
     prosperity in Central America and to protect vulnerable 
     populations in the region.
       (b) Supervision.--The official designated under subsection 
     (a) shall report directly to the President.
       (c) Duties.--The official designated under subsection (a) 
     shall coordinate all of the efforts, activities, and programs 
     related to United States engagement in Central America, 
     including--
       (1) coordinating with the Department of State, the 
     Department of Justice (including the Federal Bureau of 
     Investigation), the Department of Homeland Security, the 
     intelligence community, and international partners regarding 
     United States efforts to confront armed criminal gangs, 
     illicit trafficking networks, and organized crime responsible 
     for high levels of violence, extortion, and corruption in 
     Central America;
       (2) coordinating with the Department of State, the United 
     States Agency for International Development, and 
     international partners regarding United States efforts to 
     prevent and mitigate the effects of violent criminal gangs 
     and transnational criminal organizations on vulnerable 
     Central American populations, including women and children;
       (3) coordinating with the Department of State, the 
     Department of Homeland Security, and international partners 
     regarding United States efforts to counter human smugglers 
     illegally transporting Central American migrants to the 
     United States;
       (4) 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 Commissions for Refugees, 
     to increase protections for vulnerable Central American 
     populations, improve refugee processing, and strengthen 
     asylum systems throughout the region;
       (5) coordinating with the Department of State, the 
     Department of Defense, the Department of Justice (including 
     the Drug Enforcement Administration), the Department of the 
     Treasury, the intelligence community, and international 
     partners regarding United States efforts to combat illicit 
     narcotics traffickers, interdict transshipments of illicit 
     narcotics, and disrupt the financing of the illicit narcotics 
     trade;
       (6) coordinating with the Department of State, the 
     Department of the Treasury, the Department of Justice, the 
     intelligence community, the United States Agency for 
     International Development, and international partners 
     regarding United States efforts to combat corruption, money 
     laundering, and illicit financial networks;
       (7) coordinating with the Department of State, the 
     Department of Justice, the United States Agency for 
     International Development, and international partners 
     regarding United States efforts to strengthen the rule of 
     law, democratic governance, and human rights protections;
       (8) coordinating with the Department of State, the 
     Department of Agriculture, the United States Agency for 
     International Development, the Overseas Private Investment 
     Corporation, the United States Trade and Development Agency, 
     the Department of Labor, and international partners, 
     including the Inter-American Development Bank, to strengthen 
     the foundation for inclusive economic growth and improve food 
     security, investment climate, and protections for labor 
     rights.
       (d) Consultation.--The official designated under subsection 
     (a) shall consult with Congress, multilateral organizations 
     and institutions, foreign governments, and domestic and 
     international civil society organizations.

Subtitle D--United States Leadership for Engaging International Donors 
                              and Partners

     SEC. 141. REQUIREMENT FOR STRATEGY TO SECURE SUPPORT OF 
                   INTERNATIONAL DONORS AND PARTNERS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall 
     submit a 3-year strategy to the appropriate congressional 
     committees that--
       (1) describes how the United States will secure support 
     from international donors and regional partners (including 
     Colombia and Mexico) for the implementation of the Plan;
       (2) identifies governments that are willing to provide 
     financial and technical assistance for the implementation of 
     the Plan 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 Plan; and
       (2) take all necessary steps to ensure effective 
     cooperation among international donors and partners 
     supporting the Plan.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after submitting the 
     strategy submitted under subsection (a), the Secretary of 
     State shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional 
     committees 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 listed in subsection (a)(3).
       (d) Briefings.--Upon a request from 1 of the appropriate 
     congressional committees, the Secretary of State shall 
     provide a briefing to the committee that describes the 
     progress made in implementing the strategy submitted under 
     subsection (a).
       (e) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``appropriate 
     congressional committees'' means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
       (2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
       (3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives.

    TITLE II--CRACKING DOWN ON SMUGGLERS, CARTELS, AND TRAFFICKERS 
                    EXPLOITING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Subtitle A--Strengthening Cooperation Among Law Enforcement Agencies to 
                    Target Smugglers and Traffickers

     SEC. 211. ENHANCED INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO COMBAT HUMAN 
                   SMUGGLING AND TRAFFICKING.

       (a) Partnership Expansion.--The Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall 
     expand partnership efforts with law enforcement entities in 
     El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico seeking to combat 
     human smuggling and trafficking in those countries, 
     including--
       (1) the creation or expansion of transnational criminal 
     investigative units to identify, disrupt, and prosecute human 
     smuggling and trafficking operations;
       (2) participation by U.S. Immigration and Customs 
     Enforcement and the Department of Justice in the Bilateral 
     Human Trafficking Enforcement Initiative with their Mexican 
     law enforcement counterparts; and
       (3) advanced training programs for investigators and 
     prosecutors from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
     subsection (a).

     SEC. 212. ENHANCED INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF HUMAN 
                   SMUGGLING AND TRAFFICKING.

       (a) In General.--The Attorney General and the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security

[[Page 10020]]

     shall expand collaborative programs aimed at investigating 
     and prosecuting human smugglers and traffickers targeting 
     Central American children and families and operating at the 
     Southwestern border, including the continuation and expansion 
     of anti-trafficking coordination teams.
       (b) Homeland Security Investigations.--The Secretary of 
     Homeland Security, in consultation with the Director of U.S. 
     Immigration and Customs Enforcement, shall increase the 
     resources available to Homeland Security Investigations to 
     facilitate the expansion of its smuggling and trafficking 
     investigations.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
     subsections (a) and (b).

     SEC. 213. INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ON DANGERS OF MIGRATION.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of State, shall design and 
     implement public information campaigns in El Salvador, 
     Guatemala, and Honduras--
       (1) to disseminate information about the dangers of travel 
     across Mexico to the United States; and
       (2) to combat misinformation about United States 
     immigration law or policy.
       (b) Elements.--The information campaigns implemented 
     pursuant to subsection (a) shall, to the greatest extent 
     possible--
       (1) be targeted at populations and localities with high 
     migration rates;
       (2) employ a variety of communications media; and
       (3) be developed in consultation with program officials at 
     the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, 
     or other government, nonprofit, or academic entities in close 
     contact with migrant populations from El Salvador, Guatemala, 
     and Honduras, including repatriated migrants.

 Subtitle B--Strengthening the Ability of the United States Government 
       to Crack Down on Smugglers, Traffickers, and Drug Cartels

     SEC. 221. 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 an effort or scheme to assist or cause 10 or 
     more persons (other than a parent, spouse, or child 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. 222. EXPANDING FINANCIAL SANCTIONS ON NARCOTICS 
                   TRAFFICKING AND MONEY LAUNDERING.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) In July 2011, President Obama released ``Strategy to 
     Combat Transnational Organized Crime'', which articulates a 
     multidimensional response to combat transnational organized 
     crime, including drug trafficking networks, armed criminal 
     gangs, and money laundering.
       (2) The Strategy calls for expanded efforts to dismantle 
     illicit financial networks, including through maximizing the 
     use of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (21 
     U.S.C. 1901 et seq.).
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Senate should immediately confirm pending nominations to 
     key national security positions, including Mr. Adam Szubin, 
     who was nominated by President Obama on April 16, 2015 to the 
     position of Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes 
     within the Department of the Treasury, a critical position 
     focused on identifying and confronting illicit financial 
     networks.
       (c) Financial Sanctions Expansion.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of 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--
       (A) significant foreign narcotics traffickers, their 
     organizations and networks; and
       (B) the foreign persons who provide material, financial, or 
     technological support to such traffickers, organizations, and 
     networks.
       (2) Targets.--The efforts described in paragraph (1) 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 or South America.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
     subsection (c).

 Subtitle C--Creating New Penalties for Hindering Immigration, Border, 
                          and Customs Controls

     SEC. 231. 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--
       ``(A) with the intent to gain financially; and
       ``(B) in furtherance of any violation of 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 seek to 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.''.

   TITLE III--MINIMIZING BORDER CROSSINGS BY EXPANDING PROCESSING OF 
       REFUGEE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN-COUNTRY AND IN THE REGION

 Subtitle A--Providing Alternative Safe Havens in Mexico and the Region

     SEC. 311. STRENGTHENING INTERNAL ASYLUM SYSTEMS IN MEXICO AND 
                   OTHER COUNTRIES.

       (a) In General.--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 provide technical 
     assistance to strengthen the domestic capacity of Mexico and 
     other countries in the region to provide asylum to eligible 
     children and families by--
       (1) establishing and expanding temporary and long-term in-
     country reception centers and shelter capacity to meet the 
     humanitarian needs of those seeking asylum or other forms of 
     international protection;
       (2) improving the asylum registration system to ensure that 
     all individuals seeking asylum or other humanitarian 
     protection--
       (A) are properly screened for security, including 
     biographic and biometric capture;
       (B) receive due process and meaningful access to existing 
     legal protections; and
       (C) receive proper documents in order to prevent fraud and 
     ensure freedom of movement and access to basic social 
     services;
       (3) creating or expanding a corps of trained asylum 
     officers capable of evaluating and deciding individual asylum 
     claims consistent with international law and obligations; and
       (4) developing the capacity to conduct best interest 
     determinations for unaccompanied alien children to ensure 
     that their needs are properly met, which may include family 
     reunification or resettlement based on international 
     protection needs.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 60 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 that describes the plans of the Secretary of 
     State to assist in developing the

[[Page 10021]]

     asylum processing capabilities described in subsection (a) 
     to--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
       (2) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs of the Senate;
       (3) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
       (4) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (5) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (6) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
     subsection (a).

Subtitle B--Expanding Refugee Processing in Mexico and Central America 
                     for Third Country Resettlement

     SEC. 321. EXPANDING REFUGEE PROCESSING IN MEXICO AND CENTRAL 
                   AMERICA FOR THIRD COUNTRY RESETTLEMENT.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall coordinate 
     with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to 
     support and provide technical assistance to the Government of 
     Mexico and the governments of other countries in the region 
     to increase access to global resettlement for eligible 
     children and families with protection needs by--
       (1) establishing and expanding in-country refugee reception 
     centers to meet the humanitarian needs of those seeking 
     international protection;
       (2) improving the refugee registration system to ensure 
     that all refugees--
       (A) are properly screened for security, including 
     biographic and biometric capture;
       (B) receive due process and meaningful access to existing 
     legal protections; and
       (C) receive proper documents in order to prevent fraud and 
     ensure freedom of movement and access to basic social 
     services;
       (3) creating or expanding a corps of trained refugee 
     officers capable of evaluating and deciding individual claims 
     for protection, consistent with international law and 
     obligations; and
       (4) developing the capacity to conduct best interest 
     determinations for unaccompanied alien children to ensure 
     that--
       (A) such children with international protection needs are 
     properly registered; and
       (B) their needs are properly met, which may include family 
     reunification or resettlement based on international 
     protection needs.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 60 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 to the committees listed in section 311(b) 
     that describes the plans of the Secretary of State to assist 
     in developing the refugee processing capabilities described 
     in subsection (a).
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
     subsection (a).

  Subtitle C--Improving the Efficiency of the Central American Minors 
                                Program

     SEC. 331. EXPANSION.

       The Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 
     shall increase the resources directed to the CAM Program, 
     including--
       (1) increasing the number of refugee officers available for 
     in-country processing; and
       (2) establishing additional site locations.

     SEC. 332. EXPEDITED PROCESSING.

       Not later than 180 days after receiving a completed 
     application from an unaccompanied alien child seeking 
     protection under the CAM Program, the Director of U.S. 
     Citizenship and Immigration Services shall make a final 
     determination on such application unless the security 
     screening for such child cannot be completed during the 180-
     day period.

     SEC. 333. REFERRAL TO UNHCR.

       The Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 
     or the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of 
     Population, Refugees, and Migration shall refer any child who 
     is the proposed beneficiary of an application under the CAM 
     Program and is facing immediate risk of harm to the United 
     Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for registration and 
     safe passage to an established emergency transit center for 
     refugees.

TITLE IV--MONITORING AND SUPPORTING UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN AFTER 
                        PROCESSING AT THE BORDER

     SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS; AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this title:
       (1) Department.--Except as otherwise indicated, the term 
     ``Department'' means the Department of Health and Human 
     Services.
       (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
     the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the Department.
       (3) 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).
       (4) Resident adult.--The term ``resident adult'' means any 
     individual age 18 or older who regularly lives, shares common 
     areas, and sleeps in a sponsor or prospective sponsor's home.
       (5) Secretary.--Except as otherwise indicated, the term 
     ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
     this title.

   Subtitle A--Strengthening the Government's Ability to Oversee the 
                   Safety and Well-Being of Children

     SEC. 411. BACKGROUND CHECKS TO ENSURE THE SAFE PLACEMENT OF 
                   UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN.

       (a) Criminal and Civil Record Checks.--
       (1) Requirement.--In carrying out the functions transferred 
     to the Director under section 462(a) of the Homeland Security 
     Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 279(a)), from amounts appropriated 
     pursuant to section 401(b) to carry out this section, the 
     Director shall perform, consistent with best practices in the 
     field of child welfare, and a prospective sponsor and all 
     resident adults in the home of the prospective sponsor shall 
     submit to the following record checks (which shall be 
     completed as expeditiously as possible):
       (A) Fingerprint-based checks (except as described in 
     paragraph (2)) in national crime information databases, as 
     defined in section 534(e)(3) of title 28, United States Code.
       (B) A search of the State criminal registry or repository 
     for any State (except as described in paragraph (3)) in which 
     the prospective sponsor or resident adult has resided during 
     the 5 years preceding the search.
       (C) A search of the National Sex Offender Registry 
     established under section 119 of the Adam Walsh Child 
     Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16919).
       (D) A search (except as described in paragraphs (2) and 
     (3)) of State-based child abuse and neglect registries and 
     databases for any State in which the prospective sponsor or 
     resident adult has resided during the 5 years preceding the 
     search.
       (2) Parents and guardians.--For purposes of paragraph (1), 
     if the prospective sponsor is the parent or guardian of the 
     child involved, the Director shall have discretion to 
     determine whether the Director shall perform, and the 
     prospective sponsor and resident adults described in 
     paragraph (1) shall submit to, a check described in 
     subparagraph (A) or (D) of paragraph (1).
       (3) Waivers.--
       (A) In general.--If the Secretary determines that it is not 
     feasible to conduct the check described in subparagraph (B) 
     or (D) of paragraph (1) for a State, including infeasibility 
     due to a State's refusal or nonresponse in response to a 
     request for related information, or that the average time to 
     receive results from a State for such a check is more than 10 
     business days, the Secretary may waive the requirements of 
     that subparagraph with respect to the State involved for a 
     period of not more than 1 year. The Secretary may renew the 
     waiver in accordance with this subparagraph.
       (B) Prohibition on delegation.--The Secretary may not 
     delegate the responsibility under subparagraph (A) to another 
     officer or employee of the Department.
       (C) States where waivers apply.--The Secretary shall make 
     available, on a website of the Department, the list of States 
     for which the requirements of subparagraph (B) or (D) of 
     paragraph (1) are waived under this paragraph.
       (4) Use of record checks.--The information revealed by a 
     record check performed pursuant to this section shall be used 
     only by the Director for the purpose of determining whether a 
     potential sponsor is a suitable sponsor for a placement for 
     an unaccompanied alien child.
       (b) Placement Determinations Generally.--
       (1) Denials required for certain crimes.--The Director 
     shall deny any placement for a prospective sponsor (other 
     than the parent or guardian of the child involved), and may 
     deny any placement for a prospective sponsor who is the 
     parent or guardian of the child involved subject to 
     subsection (c), if the record checks performed pursuant to 
     this section reveal that the prospective sponsor or a 
     resident adult in the home of the prospective sponsor was 
     convicted at age 18 or older of a crime that is a felony 
     consisting of any of the following:
       (A) Domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, child 
     neglect, or child abandonment, if the prospective sponsor or 
     resident adult served at least 1 year imprisonment for a 
     crime specified in this subparagraph, or if the prospective 
     sponsor or resident adult was convicted of 2 or more crimes 
     specified in this subparagraph, not arising out of a single 
     scheme of criminal misconduct.
       (B) A crime against a child involving pornography.
       (C) Human trafficking.
       (D) Rape or sexual assault.
       (E) Homicide.
       (2) Denials considered for certain offenses.--The Director 
     may deny a placement for a prospective sponsor if the record 
     checks performed pursuant to this section reveal that the 
     prospective sponsor or a resident adult in the home of a 
     prospective sponsor was adjudged guilty of a civil offense or 
     was convicted of a crime not covered by

[[Page 10022]]

     paragraph (1). The Director, in making a determination about 
     whether to approve or deny the placement, shall consider all 
     of the following factors:
       (A) The type of offense.
       (B) The number of offenses the sponsor or resident adult 
     has been adjudged guilty or convicted of.
       (C) The length of time that has elapsed since the 
     adjudication or conviction.
       (D) The nature of the offense.
       (E) The age of the individual at the time of the 
     adjudication or conviction.
       (F) The relationship between the offense and the capacity 
     to care for a child.
       (G) Evidence of rehabilitation of the individual.
       (H) Opinions of community and family members concerning the 
     individual.
       (c) Placement Determinations Concerning Parents or 
     Guardians.--The Director may deny a placement for a 
     prospective sponsor who is the parent or guardian of the 
     child involved if the record checks performed pursuant to 
     this section reveal that the prospective sponsor or a 
     resident adult in the home of a prospective sponsor was 
     adjudged guilty of a civil offense or was convicted of a 
     crime. The Director, in making a determination about whether 
     to approve or deny the placement, shall consider all of the 
     factors described in subsection (b)(2).
       (d) Appeals Process.--
       (1) Information.--The Secretary shall provide information 
     to each prospective sponsor on how such sponsor may appeal--
       (A) a placement determination under this section, 
     including--
       (i) prompt notice of the opportunity to so appeal; and
       (ii) instructions about how to participate in the appeals 
     process; and
       (B) the results of a record check performed pursuant to 
     this section or the accuracy or completeness of the 
     information yielded by the record check, as provided in 
     paragraph (2), including--
       (i) prompt notice of the opportunity to so appeal; and
       (ii) instructions about how to participate in the appeals 
     process.
       (2) Appeal.--Each Federal agency responsible for 
     administering or maintaining the information in a database, 
     registry, or repository used in a record check performed 
     pursuant to this section or responsible for the accuracy or 
     completeness of the information yielded by the record check 
     shall--
       (A) establish a process for an appeal concerning the 
     results of that record check, or that accuracy or 
     completeness; and
       (B) complete such process not later than 30 days after the 
     date on which such an appeal is filed.
       (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to prohibit the Director from establishing 
     additional checks or procedures (besides the checks required 
     in this section) for sponsors, to enable the Director to--
       (1) oversee and promote the health, safety, and well-being 
     of unaccompanied alien children; or
       (2) prevent the exploitation, neglect, or abuse of 
     unaccompanied alien children.

     SEC. 412. RESPONSIBILITY OF SPONSOR FOR IMMIGRATION COURT 
                   COMPLIANCE AND CHILD WELL-BEING.

       (a) In General.--Using amounts appropriated pursuant to 
     section 401(b) to carry out this section, the Secretary, in 
     consultation with the Attorney General, shall establish 
     procedures to ensure that legal orientation programs 
     regarding immigration court and rights and responsibilities 
     for the well-being of unaccompanied alien children are 
     provided to all prospective sponsors of unaccompanied alien 
     children prior to an unaccompanied alien child's placement 
     with such a sponsor.
       (b) Program Elements.--The procedures described in 
     subsection (a) shall include a requirement that each legal 
     orientation program described in such subsection shall 
     provide information on the sponsor's rights and 
     responsibilities to--
       (1) ensure the unaccompanied alien child appears at 
     immigration proceedings and communicate with the court 
     involved regarding the child's change of address and other 
     relevant information;
       (2) immediately enroll the child in school, and shall 
     provide information and resources if the sponsor encounters 
     difficulty enrolling such child in school;
       (3) provide access to health care, including mental health 
     care as needed, and any necessary age-appropriate health 
     screening to the child;
       (4) report 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;
       (5) seek assistance from the Department regarding the 
     health, safety, and well-being of the child placed with the 
     sponsor; and
       (6) file a complaint, if necessary, with the Secretary or 
     the Secretary of Homeland Security regarding treatment of 
     unaccompanied alien children while under the care of the 
     Office of Refugee Resettlement or the Department of Homeland 
     Security, respectively.

     SEC. 413. MONITORING UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN.

       (a) Risk-based Post-placement Services.--
       (1) In general.--Using amounts appropriated pursuant to 
     section 401(b) to carry out this section, the Secretary 
     shall, to assist each unaccompanied alien child in a 
     placement with a sponsor--
       (A) complete an individualized assessment of the need for 
     services to be provided after placement; and
       (B) provide such post-placement services during the 
     pendency of removal proceedings or until no longer necessary.
       (2) Minimum services.--For the purposes of paragraph (1), 
     the services shall, at a minimum, include--
       (A) for the unaccompanied alien child, at least one post-
     placement case management services visit within 30 days after 
     placement with a sponsor and the referral of unaccompanied 
     alien children to service providers in the community; 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.
       (b) Effective Use of Child Advocates for the Most 
     Vulnerable Unaccompanied Alien Children.--The Secretary 
     shall--
       (1) direct the Director--
       (A) to 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) to ensure that the referral criteria established by the 
     Director are appropriately applied when a care provider 
     determines if such a child is eligible for referral to a 
     child advocate;
       (C) to provide technical assistance to care providers to 
     ensure compliance with such criteria; and
       (D) to establish a process for stakeholders and the public 
     to refer unaccompanied alien children, including those placed 
     with a sponsor, to the child advocate program 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 shall--
       (A) be 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) be notified when new materials and information 
     described in subparagraph (A) relating to the child are 
     created or become available.

    Subtitle B--Funding to States and School Districts; Supporting 
                          Education and Safety

     SEC. 421. FUNDING TO STATES TO CONDUCT STATE CRIMINAL CHECKS 
                   AND CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CHECKS.

       (a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``State'' means 
     each of the 50 States of the United States and the District 
     of Columbia.
       (b) Payments to States to Conduct State Criminal Registry 
     or Repository Searches and to Conduct Child Abuse and Neglect 
     Checks.--
       (1) In general.--Using amounts appropriated pursuant to 
     section 401(b) to carry out this section, the Secretary 
     shall, in accordance with this subsection, make payments to 
     States, through each agency in each State tasked with 
     administering the State criminal registry or repository 
     required under section 411(a)(1)(B) or the State child abuse 
     and neglect registry required under section 411(a)(1)(D), to 
     assist with searches of such registries, repositories, or 
     databases for prospective sponsors of unaccompanied alien 
     children and resident adults in the home of such prospective 
     sponsors, in accordance with section 411.
       (2) Allotments.--
       (A) State criminal registry and repository searches.--In 
     each fiscal year, using amounts appropriated pursuant to 
     section 401(b) to carry out this section with respect to the 
     program providing payments to States to assist with criminal 
     registry or repository searches, the Secretary shall allot to 
     each State participating in such program, through the agency 
     in each such State tasked with administering the State 
     criminal registry or repository described in section 
     411(a)(1)(B), an amount that bears the same relationship to 
     such funds as the number of searches of such State criminal 
     registry or repository conducted in accordance with section 
     411(a)(1)(B) in the State bears to the total number of such 
     searches in all States participating in the program.
       (B) Child abuse and neglect checks.--In each fiscal year, 
     using amounts appropriated pursuant to section 401(b) to 
     carry out this section with respect to the program providing 
     payments to States to assist with child abuse and neglect 
     registry and database searches, the Secretary shall allot to 
     each State participating in such program, through the agency 
     in each such State tasked with administering the State child 
     abuse and neglect registries and databases described in 
     section 411(a)(1)(D), an amount that bears the same 
     relationship to such funds as the number of searches of such 
     child abuse and neglect registries and databases conducted in 
     accordance with section 411(a)(1)(D) in the State bears to 
     the total number of such searches in all States participating 
     in the program.
       (C) Transition rule.--In the first fiscal year in which 
     funds are made available under

[[Page 10023]]

     this title to carry out this section, the Secretary shall 
     make allotments to each State participating in the programs 
     under this section in accordance with subparagraphs (A) and 
     (B), based on the Secretary's estimate of the number of the 
     searches described in each such subparagraph, respectively, 
     that each of the States are expected to conduct in such 
     fiscal year.
       (3) State applications.--Each State agency described in 
     paragraph (1) desiring an allotment under subparagraph (A) or 
     (B) of paragraph (2) shall submit an application at such 
     time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
     Secretary may require, which shall include an assurance that 
     the State agency will respond promptly to all requests from 
     the Director, within a reasonable time period determined by 
     the Director, to conduct a search required under section 411 
     in a timely manner, and a description of how funds will be 
     used to meet such assurance.

     SEC. 422. FUNDING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN 
                   CHILDREN.

       (a) Grants Authorized.--Using amounts appropriated pursuant 
     to section 401(b) to carry out this section, 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 and youth, 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. 423. IMMEDIATE ENROLLMENT OF UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN 
                   CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS.

       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--
       (1) ensure that unaccompanied alien children in the area 
     served by the local educational agency are immediately 
     enrolled in school following placement with a sponsor; 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.

    TITLE V--ENSURING ORDERLY AND HUMANE MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN AND 
                      FAMILIES SEEKING PROTECTION

 Subtitle A--Providing a Fair and Efficient Legal Process for Children 
                 and Vulnerable Families Seeking Asylum

     SEC. 511. 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, consistent with the procedures established 
     pursuant to section 412, 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 
     inform aliens described in such paragraph regarding--
       (A) the basic procedures of immigration hearings;
       (B) their rights and obligations relating to such hearings 
     under Federal immigration laws to ensure appearance at all 
     immigration proceedings;
       (C) their rights under Federal immigration laws, including 
     available legal protections and the procedure for requesting 
     such protection;
       (D) the consequences of filing frivolous legal claims and 
     of failing to appear for proceedings; and
       (E) any other subject that the Attorney General considers 
     appropriate, such as a contact list of potential legal 
     resources and providers.
       (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) Pilot Project for Nondetained Aliens in Removal 
     Proceedings.--
       (1) In general.--The Attorney General shall develop and 
     administer a 2-year pilot program at not fewer than 2 
     immigration courts to provide nondetained aliens with pending 
     asylum claims access to legal information.
       (2) Report.--At the conclusion of the pilot program under 
     this subsection, the Attorney General shall submit a report 
     to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the 
     Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives 
     that describes the extent to which nondetained aliens are 
     provided with access to counsel.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Executive Office of Immigration 
     Review of the Department of Justice such sums as may be 
     necessary to carry out this section.

     SEC. 512. FAIR DAY IN COURT FOR KIDS.

       (a) Improving Immigration Court Efficiency and Reducing 
     Costs by Increasing Access to Legal Information.--
       (1) 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--
       (A) in paragraph (4)--
       (i) 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;

       (ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as 
     subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively;
       (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
       ``(B) the Attorney General may appoint or provide counsel 
     to aliens in immigration proceedings;
       ``(C) at the beginning of the proceedings or as 
     expeditiously as possible, the alien shall automatically 
     receive a complete copy of the alien's Alien File (commonly 
     known as an `A-file') and Form I-862 (commonly known as a 
     `Notice to Appear') in the possession of the Department of 
     Homeland Security (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) 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 fluently;''; and
       (iv) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated, by striking ``, 
     and'' and inserting ``; and''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(8) Failure to provide alien required documents.--In the 
     absence of a 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.''.
       (2) 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--
       (A) by striking ``In any'' and inserting the following:
       ``(a) In General.--In any'';
       (B) in subsection (a), as redesignated--
       (i) by striking ``(at no expense to the Government)''; and
       (ii) by striking ``he shall'' and inserting ``the person 
     shall''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Appointment of Counsel.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Attorney General may appoint or 
     provide counsel to aliens in any proceeding conducted under 
     section 235(b), 236, 238, 240, or 241 or any other section of 
     this Act.
       ``(2) Access to counsel.--The Secretary of Homeland 
     Security shall facilitate access to counsel for--
       ``(A) aliens in any proceeding conducted under section 
     235(b), 236, 238, 240, or 241; and
       ``(B) any individual detained inside an immigration 
     detention facility or a border facility.''.
       (3) Appointment of counsel for unaccompanied alien children 
     and vulnerable aliens.--
       (A) 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) Unaccompanied Alien Children and Vulnerable Aliens.--
     Notwithstanding subsection (b), the Attorney General shall 
     appoint counsel, at the expense of the Government if 
     necessary, 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--

[[Page 10024]]

       ``(1) an unaccompanied alien child (as defined in section 
     462(g) of the Homeland Security Act on 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
     279(g)));
       ``(2) a particularly vulnerable individual, such as--
       ``(A) a person with a disability (as defined in section 3 
     of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
     12102); or
       ``(B) a victim of abuse, torture, or violence; or
       ``(3) an individual whose circumstances are such that the 
     appointment of counsel is necessary to help ensure fair 
     resolution and efficient adjudication of the proceedings.
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Executive Office for Immigration 
     Review of the Department of Justice such sums as may be 
     necessary to carry out this section.''.
       (B) Rulemaking.--The Attorney General shall promulgate 
     regulations to implement section 292(c) of the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act, as added by subparagraph (A), in 
     accordance with the requirements set forth in section 3006A 
     of title 18, United States Code.
       (b) Case Management Pilot Program to Increase Court 
     Appearance Rates.--
       (1) Contract authority.--The Secretary of Homeland Security 
     shall establish a pilot program, which shall include the 
     services set forth in section 413(a)(2), to increase the 
     court appearance rates of aliens described in paragraphs (2) 
     and (3) of section 292(c) of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act, as added by subsection (a)(3)(A), by contracting with 
     nongovernmental, community-based organizations to provide 
     appropriate case management services to such aliens.
       (2) Scope of services.--Case management services provided 
     under paragraph (1) shall include assisting aliens with--
       (A) accessing legal counsel;
       (B) complying with court-imposed deadlines and other legal 
     obligations; and
       (C) accessing social services, as appropriate.
       (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Department of Homeland Security 
     such sums as may be necessary to carry out this subsection.
       (c) Report on Access to Counsel.--
       (1) Report.--Not later than December 31 of each year, the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the 
     Attorney General, shall prepare and submit a report to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on 
     the Judiciary of the House of Representatives regarding the 
     extent to which aliens described in section 292(c) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by subsection 
     (a)(3)(A), have been provided access to counsel.
       (2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     shall include, for the immediately preceding 1-year period--
       (A) the number and percentage of aliens described in 
     paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively, of section 292(c) 
     of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by 
     subsection (a)(3)(A), who were represented by counsel, 
     including information specifying--
       (i) the stage of the legal process at which the alien was 
     represented; and
       (ii) whether the alien was in government custody; and
       (B) the number and percentage of aliens who received legal 
     orientation presentations.

      Subtitle B--Reducing Significant Delays in Immigration Court

     SEC. 521. ELIMINATE IMMIGRATION COURT BACKLOGS.

       (a) Annual Increases in Immigration Judges.--The Attorney 
     General shall increase the total number of immigration judges 
     to adjudicate pending cases and efficiently process future 
     cases by at least--
       (1) 55 judges during fiscal year 2017;
       (2) an additional 55 judges during fiscal year 2018; and
       (3) an additional 55 judges during fiscal year 2019.
       (b) Necessary Support Staff for Immigration Judges.--To 
     address the shortage of support staff for immigration judges, 
     the Attorney General shall ensure that each immigration judge 
     has sufficient support staff, adequate technological and 
     security resources, and appropriate courtroom facilities.
       (c) Annual Increases in 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--
       (1) 23 attorneys during fiscal year 2017;
       (2) an additional 23 attorneys during fiscal year 2018; and
       (3) an additional 23 attorneys during fiscal year 2019.
       (d) GAO Report.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall--
       (1) conduct a study of the hurdles 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. 522. 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 facilitate robust training programs for immigration 
     judges and members of the Board of Immigration Appeals.
       (b) Mandatory Training.--Training facilitated under 
     subsection (a) shall include--
       (1) expanding the training program for new immigration 
     judges and Board members;
       (2) continuing education regarding current developments in 
     immigration law through regularly available training 
     resources and an annual conference; and
       (3) methods to ensure that immigration judges are trained 
     on properly crafting and dictating decisions and standards of 
     review, including improved on-bench reference materials and 
     decision templates.

     SEC. 523. NEW TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE COURT EFFICIENCY.

       The Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review 
     will modernize its case management and related electronic 
     systems, including allowing for electronic filing, to improve 
     efficiency in the processing of immigration proceedings.

           Subtitle C--Reducing the Likelihood of Remigration

     SEC. 531. ESTABLISHING REINTEGRATION AND MONITORING SERVICES 
                   FOR REPATRIATING CHILDREN.

       (a) Consultation With UNHCR.--The Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and 
     Human Services and the Secretary of State, shall consult with 
     the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (referred 
     to in this section as the ``UNHCR'') to develop a child-
     centered repatriation process for unaccompanied children 
     being returned to their country of origin.
       (b) Collaboration With Regional Governments and 
     Nongovernmental Organizations.--The Secretary of State and 
     the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
     International Development, in coordination with the Secretary 
     of Homeland Security, shall collaborate with regional 
     governments and international and domestic nongovernmental 
     organizations to reduce children's need to re-migrate by--
       (1) establishing and expanding comprehensive reintegration 
     services for repatriated unaccompanied children once returned 
     to their communities of origin;
       (2) establishing monitoring and verification services to 
     determine the well-being of repatriated children in order to 
     determine if United States protection and screening 
     functioned effectively in identifying persecuted and 
     trafficked children; and
       (3) providing emergency referrals to the UNHCR for 
     registration and safe passage to an established emergency 
     transit center for refugees for any repatriated children who 
     are facing immediate risk of harm.

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