[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 174 (Friday, September 7, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45486-45534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19052]



[[Page 45485]]

Vol. 83

Friday,

No. 174

September 7, 2018

Part II





Department of Homeland Security





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8 CFR Parts 212 and 236





Department of Health and Human Services





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45 CFR Part 410





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Apprehension, Processing, Care, and Custody of Alien Minors and 
Unaccompanied Alien Children; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 174 / Friday, September 7, 2018 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 45486]]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

8 CFR Parts 212 and 236

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

45 CFR Part 410

[DHS Docket No. ICEB-2018-0002]
RIN 1653-AA75, 0970-AC42


Apprehension, Processing, Care, and Custody of Alien Minors and 
Unaccompanied Alien Children

AGENCY: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Department 
of Homeland Security (DHS); U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 
(USCIS), DHS; U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), DHS; Office of 
Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Administration for Children and Families 
(ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (``the Departments'') 
propose to amend regulations relating to the apprehension, processing, 
care, custody, and release of alien juveniles. In 1985, plaintiffs in a 
class action lawsuit, Flores v. Reno, challenged the policies of the 
legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) relating to the 
detention, processing, and release of alien juveniles. The parties 
reached a settlement agreement, referred to as the Flores Settlement 
Agreement (FSA). The FSA, as modified in 2001, provides that it will 
terminate forty-five days after publication of final regulations 
implementing the agreement. The rule would adopt in regulations 
provisions that parallel the relevant and substantive terms of the FSA, 
consistent with the HSA and TVPRA, with some modifications discussed 
further below to reflect intervening statutory and operational changes 
while still providing similar substantive protections and standards. It 
therefore would terminate the FSA. The rule would satisfy the basic 
purpose of the FSA in ensuring that all juveniles in the government's 
custody are treated with dignity, respect, and special concern for 
their particular vulnerability as minors, while doing so in a manner 
that is workable in light of subsequent changes. The rule would also 
implement closely related provisions of the HSA and TVPRA.
    Most prominently, the rule would create an alternative to the 
existing licensed program requirement for family residential centers, 
so that ICE may use appropriate facilities to detain family units 
together during their immigration proceedings, consistent with 
applicable law.

DATES: Written comments and related material must be submitted on or 
before November 6, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the entirety of this proposed 
rule package identified by DHS Docket No. ICEB-2018-0002, by any one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal (preferred): https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the website instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Email: [email protected]. Include DHS Docket No. 
ICEB-2018-0002 in the subject line of the message.
     Mail: Debbie Seguin, Assistant Director, Office of Policy, 
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland 
Security, 500 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20536. To ensure proper 
handling, include DHS Docket No. ICEB-2018-0002 in your correspondence. 
Mail must be postmarked by the comment submission deadline.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Visitor Entrance, U.S. Immigration 
and Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, 500 12th Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20536.
    Instructions: All comments submitted outside of the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal must include the docket number for this rulemaking. 
All comments received may be posted without change to the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal or commercial information provided. For detailed instructions 
on sending comments and additional information on the rulemaking 
process, see the ``Public Participation'' heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section of this document.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    For DHS: Debbie Seguin, Assistant Director, Office of Policy, U.S. 
Immigration and Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, 500 12th 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20536. Telephone 202-732-6960 (not a toll-
free number).
    For HHS: Division of Policy, Office of the Director, Office of 
Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, by 
email at [email protected]. Do not email comments on the proposed 
rule to this address. Office of Refugee Resettlement, 330 C Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20201. Telephone 202-401-9246.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Public Participation
    A. Submitting Comments
    B. Viewing Comments and Documents
    C. Privacy Act
II. Table of Abbreviations
III. Executive Summary
    A. Purpose of the Regulatory Action
    B. Legal Authority
    C. Costs and Benefits
IV. Background and Purpose
    A. History
    B. Authority
    1. Statutory and Regulatory Authority
    2. Flores Settlement Agreement Implementation
    3. Recent Court Orders
    C. Basis and Purpose of Regulatory Action
    1. Need for Regulations Implementing the Relevant and 
Substantive Terms of the FSA
    2. Purpose of the Regulations
V. Discussion of Elements of the Proposed Rule
    A. DHS Regulations
    B. HHS Regulations
VI. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
    A. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563: Regulatory Review
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
    D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    E. Congressional Review Act
    F. Paperwork Reduction Act
    G. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
    H. Executive Order 12988: Civil Justice Reform
    I. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
    J. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
    K. Executive Order 12630: Governmental Actions and Interference 
With Constitutionally Protected Property Rights
    L. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From 
Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks
    M. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
    N. Family Assessment
VII. List of Subjects and Regulatory Amendments

I. Public Participation

    We encourage all interested parties to participate in this 
rulemaking by submitting written comments, views, and data on all 
aspects of this proposed rule. The Departments also invite comments 
that relate to the economic, environmental, or federalism effects that 
might result from this proposed rule. All comments received will be 
posted, without change, to https://

[[Page 45487]]

www.regulations.gov as part of the public record and will include any 
personal or commercial information you provide.

A. Submitting Comments

    All comments must be submitted in English, or an English 
translation must be provided. Comments that will provide the most 
assistance to the Departments will reference a specific portion of the 
proposed rule, explain the reason for any recommended change, and 
include data, information, or authority that support such recommended 
change. If you submit comments, please indicate the specific section of 
this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for 
each suggestion or recommendation. As this rule is being promulgated by 
two Departments, it is especially helpful if your comment, and each 
relevant part of that comment, indicates a specific section to which it 
applies, or at a minimum each specific Department or Departments to 
which it is addressed. In this way, the comment may be better 
understood and distributed to the appropriate Department for response. 
You may submit your comments and materials online or by mail, but 
please use only one of these means. If you submit a comment online via 
https://www.regulations.gov, it will be considered received when it is 
received at the Docket Management Facility.
    Instructions: To submit your comments online, go to https://www.regulations.gov, and insert ``ICEB-2018-0002'' in the ``Search'' 
box. Click on the ``Comment Now!'' box and input your comment in the 
text box provided. Click the ``Continue'' box, and if you are satisfied 
with your comment, follow the prompts to submit it. If you submit your 
comments by mail, you must include DHS Docket No. ICEB-2018-0002, and 
submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, 
suitable for copying and electronic scanning and filing. If you submit 
comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the facility, 
please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.
    Regardless of the method used for submitting comments or material, 
all submissions will be posted, without change, to the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov, and will include any 
personal or commercial information you provide. Therefore, submitting 
this information makes it public. You may wish to consider limiting the 
amount of personal or commercial information that you provide in any 
voluntary public comment submission you make to the Departments. The 
Departments may withhold information provided in comments from public 
viewing that is determined may impact the privacy of an individual or 
is offensive. For additional information, please read the ``Privacy and 
Security Notice'' that is available via the link in the footer of 
https://www.regulations.gov.
    We will consider all comments and materials received during the 
comment period and may change this rule based on your comments.

    Note: The Departments will only consider comments timely 
submitted to the docket for this rulemaking. In light of the period 
of time that has elapsed since the 1998 DOJ proposed rule on this 
topic, the Departments have established a new docket for this 
rulemaking. Comments submitted to the Departments on this topic 
prior to opening of the docket for this proposed rule will not be 
incorporated into the docket for this rulemaking; commenters should 
resubmit those comments, with necessary updates, as appropriate.

B. Viewing Comments and Documents

    Docket: To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this 
preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov and insert ``ICEB-2018-0002'' in the ``Search'' 
box. Click on the ``Open Docket Folder,'' and you can click on ``View 
Comment'' or ``View All'' under the ``Comments'' section of the page. 
Individuals without internet access can make alternate arrangements for 
viewing comments and documents related to this rulemaking by contacting 
ICE through the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above. You may 
also sign up for email alerts on the online docket to be notified when 
comments are posted or a final rule is published.

C. Privacy Act

    As stated in the Submitting Comments section above, please be aware 
that anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into 
any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment 
(or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.).

II. Table of Abbreviations

ACF--Administration for Children and Families
BPA--U.S. Border Patrol Agent
CBP--U.S. Customs and Border Protection
CBPO--U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer
DHS--U.S. Department of Homeland Security
DOJ--U.S. Department of Justice
EOIR--Executive Office for Immigration Review
FRC--Family Residential Center
FSA--Flores Settlement Agreement
HHS--U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HSA--Homeland Security Act of 2002
ICE--U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
IIRIRA--Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act 
of 1996
INA--Immigration and Nationality Act
INS--Immigration and Naturalization Service
JFRMU--Juvenile and Family Residential Management Unit
OFO--U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations
OMB--Office of Management and Budget
ORR--Office of Refugee Resettlement, U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services
TVPRA--William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection 
Reauthorization Act of 2008
UAC(s)--Unaccompanied Alien Child(ren)
USCIS--U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
USBP--U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

III. Executive Summary

A. Purpose of the Regulatory Action

    This rulemaking would implement the relevant and substantive terms 
of the Flores Settlement Agreement (FSA), with such limited changes as 
are necessary to implement closely-related provisions of the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002 (HSA), Public Law 107-296, sec. 462, 116 Stat. 
2135, 2202, and the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection 
Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA), Public Law 110-457, title II, 
subtitle D, 122 Stat. 5044. The proposed regulations would take account 
of certain changed circumstances, ensure that the regulations 
accomplish a sound and proper implementation of governing federal 
statutes, and set forth a sustainable operational model of immigration 
enforcement. For example, one operational shift under the FSA has been 
the extension of the agreement to apply to accompanied minors, i.e., 
juveniles who arrive at the border with their parents or legal 
guardians. That has created a series of operational difficulties, most 
notably with respect to a state-licensing requirement for a family 
residential center (FRC) in which such parents/legal guardians and 
children may be placed during immigration proceedings. Additionally, 
changes to the operational environment since 1997, as well as the 
enactment of the HSA and the TVPRA, have rendered some of the 
substantive terms of the FSA outdated, similarly making compliance with 
the HSA, the TVPRA, other immigration laws, and the FSA problematic 
without some modification of the literal text of the FSA. These 
provisions are designed, however, so that they still implement the 
substantive

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and underlying purpose of the FSA, by ensuring that juveniles are 
provided materially identical protections as under the FSA itself. 
Therefore, the Departments are proposing these regulations to allow the 
public to comment on our proposed framework for compliance with the 
FSA, consistent with current law.
    From a practical perspective, one of the most important changes 
from the literal text of the FSA would be the licensing requirement 
that applies to programs in which minors may be detained during 
immigration proceedings. Under the FSA, such facilities must be 
licensed ``by an appropriate State agency . . . for dependent 
children.'' FSA paragraph 6. That requirement is sensible for 
unaccompanied alien children, because all States have licensing schemes 
for the housing of unaccompanied juveniles who are by definition 
``dependent children,'' and accordingly the rule would not change that 
requirement for those juveniles. But the need for the license to come 
specifically from a ``state agency'' (rather than a federal agency) is 
problematic now that the FSA has been held to apply to accompanied 
minors, including those held at FRCs, because States generally do not 
have licensing schemes for facilities to hold minors who are together 
with their parents or legal guardians, and therefore are by definition 
not ``dependent children.'' The application of the FSA's requirement 
for ``state'' licensing to accompanied minors can effectively require 
DHS to release minors from detention in a non-state-licensed facility 
even if the parent/legal guardian and child would otherwise continue to 
be detained together during their removal proceedings, consistent with 
applicable law. The rule here would eliminate that barrier to the 
continued use of FRCs, by creating an alternative federal licensing 
scheme for such facilities. The goal is to provide materially identical 
assurances about the conditions of such facilities, and thus to 
implement the underlying purpose of the FSA's licensing requirement, 
and in turn to allow families to remain together during their 
immigration proceedings.

B. Legal Authority

    The Secretary of Homeland Security derives her authority to 
promulgate these proposed regulatory amendments primarily from the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA or Act), as amended, 8 U.S.C. 1101 
et seq. The Secretary may ``establish such regulations'' as she deems 
necessary for carrying out her authorities under the INA. INA sec. 
103(a)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1103(a)(3). In addition, section 462 of the HSA and 
section 235 of the TVPRA prescribe substantive requirements and 
procedural safeguards to be implemented by DHS and HHS with respect to 
unaccompanied alien children (UACs). There have also been a series of 
court decisions arising out of the FSA. See, e.g., Flores v. Sessions, 
862 F.3d 863 (9th Cir. 2017); Flores v. Lynch, 828 F.3d 898 (9th Cir. 
2016); Flores v. Sessions, No. 2:85-cv-04544 (C.D. Cal. June 27, 2017).
    Section 462 of the HSA also transferred to the Office of Refugee 
Resettlement (ORR) Director ``functions under the immigration laws of 
the United States with respect to the care of unaccompanied alien 
children that were vested by statute in, or performed by, the 
Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization.'' 6 U.S.C. 279(a). The 
ORR Director may, for purposes of performing a function transferred by 
this section, ``exercise all authorities under any other provision of 
law that were available with respect to the performance of that 
function to the official responsible for the performance of the 
function'' immediately before the transfer of the program. 6 U.S.C. 
279(f)(1).
    Consistent with provisions in the HSA, the TVPRA places the 
responsibility for the care and custody of all UACs who are not 
eligible to be repatriated to a contiguous country with the Secretary 
of Health and Human Services.\1\ Prior to the transfer of the program, 
the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization, through a 
delegation from the Attorney General, had authority ``to establish such 
regulations . . . as he deems necessary for carrying out his authority 
under the provisions of this Act.'' INA sec. 103(a)(3), 8 U.S.C. 
1103(a)(3) (2002); 8 CFR 2.1 (2002). In accordance with the relevant 
savings and transfer provisions of the HSA, see 6 U.S.C. 279, 552, 557; 
see also 8 U.S.C. 1232(b)(1), the ORR Director now possesses the 
authority to promulgate regulations concerning ORR's administration of 
its responsibilities under the HSA and TVPRA, and the FSA at paragraph 
40, as well, specifically envisions promulgation of such regulations.
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    \1\ Some UACs from contiguous countries may be permitted to 
withdraw their application for admission and be repatriated. These 
UACs are not referred to HHS. 8 U.S.C. 1232(a)(2).
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C. Costs and Benefits

    This proposed rule would implement the FSA by putting in regulatory 
form measures that materially parallel its standards and protections, 
and also by codifying the current requirements for complying with the 
FSA, the HSA, and TVPRA. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and 
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) encounter minors and 
UACs in different manners. CBP generally encounters UACs and minors at 
the border. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, CBP apprehended 113,920 
juveniles.\2\ Generally, ICE encounters minors either upon transfer 
from CBP to a family residential center (FRC), or during interior 
enforcement actions. In FY 2017, 37,825 family members were booked into 
ICE's three FRCs, 20,606 of whom were minors. ICE generally encounters 
UACs when it transports UACs who are transferred out of CBP custody to 
ORR custody, as well as during interior enforcement actions.
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    \2\ Throughout this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the 
Departments generally use the term ``juvenile'' to refer to any 
alien under the age of 18. For further explanation, see below for 
discussion of the terms ``juvenile,'' ``minor,'' and ``unaccompanied 
alien child (UAC).''
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    The Departments consider their current operations and procedures 
for implementing the terms of the FSA, the HSA, and the TVPRA to be the 
baseline for the analysis of costs and benefits. DHS already incurs the 
costs for these operations; therefore, they are not costs of this 
proposed rule. A primary source of new costs for the proposed rule 
would be a result of the proposed alternative licensing process, which 
would allow ICE to continue detaining some minors along with their 
accompanying parent or legal guardian in FRCs. ICE also is proposing 
changes to its current practice for parole determinations to align them 
with applicable statutory and regulatory authority, which may result in 
fewer minors or their accompanying parent or legal guardian released on 
parole. These changes may increase variable annual FRC costs paid by 
ICE. While DHS acknowledges that this rule may result in additional or 
longer detention for certain minors, DHS is unsure how many individuals 
will be detained at FRCs after this rule is effective or for how much 
longer individuals may be detained because there are so many other 
variables to consider. Therefore, DHS is unable to provide a quantified 
estimate of any increased FRC costs. DHS is also unable to provide an 
estimate of the cost of any increased detention on the individuals 
being detained. HHS does not anticipate significant new costs 
associated with this rule, although it will assume some costs from the 
Department of Justice related to hearings for UACs, with potential 
associated start-up costs.

[[Page 45489]]

    The primary benefit of the proposed rule would be to implement the 
FSA in regulations, and in turn to terminate the agreement as 
contemplated by the FSA itself. The result would be to provide for the 
sound administration of the detention and custody of alien minors and 
UACs to be carried out fully, pursuant to the INA, HSA, TVPRA, and 
existing regulations issued by the Departments responsible for 
administering those statutes, rather than partially carried out via a 
decades-old settlement agreement. The rule would ensure that applicable 
regulations reflect the Departments' current operations with respect to 
minors and UACs in accordance with the relevant and substantive terms 
of the FSA and the TVPRA, as well as the INA. Further, by modifying the 
literal text of the FSA in limited cases to reflect and respond to 
intervening statutory and operational changes, DHS will ensure that it 
retains discretion to detain families, as appropriate and pursuant to 
its statutory and regulatory authorities, to meet its enforcement 
needs, but while still providing similar protections to minors. HHS was 
not an original party to the FSA and instead inherited administration 
of some of its provisions. The proposed rule similarly benefit HHS as 
it clearly delineates ORR's responsibilities from that of other Federal 
partners. Additionally, the proposed implementation of the FSA's 
substantive provisions, specifically the minimum standards for licensed 
facilities and the release process, would provide clear standards for 
the program's network of state licensed facilities.

IV. Background and Purpose

A. History

    Prior to the enactment of the HSA, the Attorney General and the 
legacy INS had the primary authority to administer and enforce the 
immigration laws. In the period leading up to the Flores litigation in 
the mid-1980s, the general nationwide INS policy, based on regulations 
promulgated in 1963 and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention 
Act of 1974, was that alien juveniles could petition an immigration 
judge for release from INS custody if an order of deportation was not 
final. See Reno v. Flores, 507 U.S. 292, 324-25 (1993). In 1984, the 
Western Region of the INS implemented a different release policy for 
juveniles, and the INS later adopted that policy nationwide. Under that 
policy, juveniles could only be released to a parent or a legal 
guardian. The rationale for the policy was two-fold: (1) To protect the 
juvenile's welfare and safety, and (2) to shield the INS from possible 
legal liability. The policy allowed alien juveniles to be released to 
other adults only in unusual and extraordinary cases at the discretion 
of the District Director or Chief Patrol Agent. See Flores v. Meese, 
942 F.2d 1352 (9th Cir. 1991) (en banc).
    On July 11, 1985, four alien juveniles filed a class action lawsuit 
in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, 
Flores v. Meese, No. 85-4544 (C.D. Cal. filed July 11, 1985). The case 
``ar[ose] out of the INS's efforts to deal with the growing number of 
alien children entering the United States by themselves or without 
their parents (unaccompanied alien minors).'' Flores v. Meese, 934 F.2d 
991, 993 (9th Cir. 1990). The class was defined to consist of ``all 
persons under the age of eighteen (18) years who have been, are, or 
will be arrested and detained pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1252 by the INS 
within the INS' Western Region and who have been, are, or will be 
denied release from INS custody because a parent or legal guardian 
fails to personally appear to take custody of them.'' Id. at 994.). The 
Flores litigation challenged ``(a) the [INS] policy to condition 
juveniles' release on bail on their parents' or legal guardians' 
surrendering to INS agents for interrogation and deportation; (b) the 
procedures employed by the INS in imposing a condition on juveniles' 
bail that their parents' or legal guardians' [sic] surrender to INS 
agents for interrogation and deportation; and (c) the conditions 
maintained by the INS in facilities where juveniles are incarcerated.'' 
See Flores Compl. paragraph 1. The plaintiffs claimed that the INS's 
release and bond practices and policies violated, among other things, 
the INA, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Due Process Clause 
and Equal Protection Guarantee under the Fifth Amendment. See id. 
paragraphs 66-69.
    Prior to a ruling on any of the issues, on November 30, 1987, the 
parties entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the 
conditions of detention. The MOU stated that minors in INS custody for 
more than 72 hours following arrest would be housed in facilities that 
met or exceeded the standards set forth in the April 29, 1987, U.S. 
Department of Justice Notice of Funding in the Federal Register and in 
the document ``Alien Minors Shelter Care Program--Description and 
Requirements.'' See Notice of Availability of Funding for Cooperative 
Agreements; Shelter Care and Other Related Services to Alien Minors, 52 
FR 15569, 15570 (Apr. 29, 1987). The Notice provided that eligible 
grant applicants for the funding described in the Notice included 
organizations that were ``appropriately licensed or can expeditiously 
meet applicable state licensing requirements for the provision of 
shelter care, foster care, group care and other related services to 
dependent children . . . .'' Id.
    At approximately the same time that the MOU was executed, the INS 
published a proposed rule on the Detention and Release of Juveniles to 
amend 8 CFR parts 212 and 242. See 52 FR 38245 (Oct. 15, 1987). The 
stated purpose of the rule was ``to codify the [INS] policy regarding 
detention and release of juvenile aliens and to provide a single policy 
for juveniles in both deportation and exclusion proceedings.'' The INS 
issued a final rule in May 1988. 53 FR 17449 (May 17, 1988). The rule 
provided for release to a parent, guardian, or other relative, and 
discretionary release to other adults. See 53 FR at 17451. It also 
provided that when adults are in detention, INS would consider release 
of the adult and parent. Id.
    On May 24, 1988, the district court where the original Flores case 
was filed held that the recently codified INS regulation, 8 CFR 242.24 
(1988), governing the release of detained alien minors, violated 
substantive due process, and ordered modifications to the regulation. 
The district court also held that INS release and bond procedures for 
detained minors in deportation proceedings fell short of the 
requirements of procedural due process, and therefore ordered the INS 
``forthwith'' to provide to any minor in custody an ``administrative 
hearing to determine probable cause for his arrest and the need for any 
restrictions placed upon his release.'' Flores v. Meese, 934 F.2d 991, 
993 (9th Cir. 1990) (quoting the district court). The INS appealed, and 
the Ninth Circuit reversed the district court's holdings that the INS 
exceeded its statutory authority in promulgating 8 CFR 242.24 and that 
the regulation violated substantive due process. The Ninth Circuit also 
reversed the district court's procedural due process holding, 
identified the legal standard that the district court should have 
applied, and remanded the issue for the district court to further 
explore the issue. Id. at 1013. On rehearing en banc, however, the 
Ninth Circuit vacated the original panel's opinion, affirmed the 
district court's holding, and held that INS's regulation was invalid 
because the regulation violated the alien child's due process and 
habeas corpus rights, and detention where the alien child was otherwise 
eligible for release on bond or recognizance to a custodian

[[Page 45490]]

served no legitimate purpose of the INS. Flores v. Meese, 942 F.2d 1352 
(9th Cir. 1991) (en banc) (``The district court correctly held that the 
blanket detention policy is unlawful. The district court's order 
appropriately requires children to be released to a responsible adult 
where no relative or legal guardian is available, and mandates a 
hearing before an immigration judge for the determination of the terms 
and conditions of release.'').
    The INS appealed, and in 1993, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected 
Plaintiffs' facial challenge to the constitutionality of the INS's 
regulation concerning the care of alien juveniles. Reno v. Flores, 507 
U.S. 292 (1993). The Supreme Court held that the regulations did not 
violate any substantive or procedural due process rights or equal 
protection principles. Id. at 306, 309. According to the Court, the 
regulations did not exceed the scope of the Attorney General's 
discretion under the INA to continue custody over arrested aliens, 
because the challenged regulations rationally pursued the lawful 
purpose of protecting the welfare of such juveniles. Id. at 315.
    The regulations promulgated in 1988 have remained in effect since 
publication, but were moved to 8 CFR 236.3 in 1997. See 62 FR 10312, 
10360 (Mar. 6, 1997). They were amended in 2002 when the authority to 
decide issues concerning the detention and release of juveniles was 
moved to the Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs from the 
District Directors and Chief Patrol Agents. See 67 FR 39255, 39258 
(June 7, 2002).
    The Supreme Court decision in Reno v. Flores only resolved one of 
the issues in the case. The district court approved the FSA on January 
28, 1997. In 1998, the INS published a proposed rule having a basis in 
the substantive terms of the FSA, entitled Processing, Detention, and 
Release of Juveniles. See 63 FR 39759 (July 24, 1998). In 2001 the 
parties added a stipulation in the FSA, which terminates the FSA ``45 
days following defendants' publication of final regulations 
implementing t[he] Agreement.'' Stipulated Settlement Agreement 
paragraph 40 [hereinafter FSA], Flores v. Reno, No. CV 85-4544-RJK(Px) 
(C.D. Cal. Dec. 7, 2001). In January 2002, the INS reopened the comment 
period on the 1998 proposed rule, 67 FR 1670 (Jan. 14, 2002), but the 
rulemaking was ultimately abandoned. The U.S. District Court for the 
Central District of California has continued to rule on various motions 
filed in the case and oversee enforcement of the MOU and later the FSA.
    Whereas only one Department was involved in the creation of the 
FSA, three Departments now implement the FSA's substantive terms. After 
the 2001 Stipulation, Congress enacted the HSA and the TVPRA, both of 
which impact the treatment of alien juveniles. Among other changes, the 
HSA created DHS and, along with the TVPRA, transferred the functions 
under the immigration laws with respect to the care and then custody of 
UACs referred by other Federal agencies to HHS ORR. The TVPRA also 
further regulated the Departments' respective roles with respect to 
UACs. See 6 U.S.C. 111(a), 279; 8 U.S.C. 1232(b)(1).
    To summarize those roles under the current statutory framework: DHS 
apprehends, provides care and custody for, transfers, and removes alien 
minors; DHS apprehends, transfers, and removes UACs; and ORR provides 
for care and custody of UACs who are in federal custody (other than 
those permitted to withdraw their application for admission) referred 
to ORR by other Departments. DHS and HHS are therefore now proposing to 
issue regulations implementing the relevant and substantive terms of 
the FSA, consistent with the HSA and TVPRA, and in turn to terminate 
the FSA.

B. Authority

1. Statutory and Regulatory Authority
a. Immigration and Nationality Act and the Illegal Immigration Reform 
and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
    The INA, as amended, provides the primary authority for DHS to 
detain certain aliens for violations of the immigration laws. Congress 
expanded legacy INS's detention authority in IIRIRA, Public Law 104-
208, 110 Stat. 3009. In that legislation, Congress amended the INA by 
providing that certain aliens were subject to either mandatory or 
discretionary detention by the INS. This authorization flowed to DHS 
after the reorganization under the HSA. Specifically, DHS's authority 
to detain certain aliens comes from sections 235, 236, and 241 of the 
INA, 8 U.S.C. 1225, 1226, and 1231. Section 235 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 
1225, provides that applicants for admission to the United States, 
including those subject to expedited removal, shall be detained during 
their removal proceedings, although such aliens may be released on 
parole in limited circumstances, consistent with the statutory standard 
set forth in 8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5) and standards set forth in the 
regulations. Section 236 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1226, provides the 
authority to arrest and detain an alien pending a decision on whether 
the alien is to be removed from the United States, and section 241, 8 
U.S.C. 1231, authorizes the detention of aliens during the period 
following the issuance of a final order of removal. Other provisions of 
the INA also mandate detention of certain classes of individuals, such 
as criminal aliens.
b. Homeland Security Act of 2002
    As noted, the HSA, Public Law 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135, transferred 
most of the functions of the INS from DOJ to the newly-created DHS. DHS 
and its various components are responsible for border security, 
interior immigration enforcement, and immigration benefits 
adjudication, among other duties. DOJ's EOIR retained its pre-existing 
functions relating to the immigration and naturalization of aliens, 
including conducting removal proceedings and adjudicating defensive 
filings of asylum claims.
    The functions regarding care of UACs were transferred from the INS 
to ORR. The HSA states ORR shall be responsible to coordinate and 
implement the care and placement of UACs who are in Federal custody by 
reason of their immigration status. ORR was also tasked with 
identifying a sufficient number of qualified individuals, entities, and 
facilities to house UACs, and with ensuring that the interests of the 
child are considered in decisions and actions relating to his or her 
care and custody.
c. William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization 
Act of 2008
    Section 235 of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims 
Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA), Public Law 110-457, 
Title II, Subtitle D, 122 Stat. 5044 (codified in principal part at 8 
U.S.C. 1232), then stated that consistent with the HSA, and except as 
otherwise provided with respect to certain UAC from contiguous 
countries (see 8 U.S.C. 1232(a)), the care and custody of all UAC, 
including responsibility for their detention, where appropriate, shall 
be the responsibility of HHS. The TVPRA, among other things, requires 
federal agencies to notify HHS within 48 hours of apprehending or 
discovering a UAC, or receiving a claim or having suspicion that an 
alien in their custody is an unaccompanied minor under 18 years of age. 
8 U.S.C. 1232(b)(2). The TVPRA further requires that, absent 
exceptional circumstances, any federal agency transfer a UAC to the 
care and custody of HHS within 72 hours of determining that an alien in 
its custody is a UAC. 8 U.S.C. 1232(b)(3).
    The Secretary of HHS delegated the authority under the TVPRA to the

[[Page 45491]]

Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, 74 FR 14564 (2009), who 
in turn delegated the authority to the ORR Director, 74 FR 1232 (2009).
2. Flores Settlement Agreement Implementation
    As discussed above, in 1996 the U.S. Government and Flores 
plaintiffs entered into the FSA to resolve nationwide the ongoing 
litigation concerning the INS's detention regulations for alien minors. 
The FSA was executed on behalf of the Government on September 16, 1996. 
The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California approved 
the FSA on January 28, 1997. The FSA became effective upon its approval 
by the district court, and provided for continued oversight by that 
court.
    Paragraph 9 of the FSA explains its purpose: To establish a 
``nationwide policy for the detention, release, and treatment of minors 
in the custody of the INS.'' Paragraph 4 defines a ``minor'' as ``any 
person under the age of eighteen (18) years who is detained in the 
legal custody of the INS,'' but the definition excludes minors who have 
been emancipated or incarcerated due to a criminal conviction as an 
adult. The FSA established procedures and conditions for processing, 
transportation, and detention following apprehension, and set forth the 
procedures and practices that the parties agreed should govern the 
INS's discretionary decisions to release or detain minors and to whom 
they should or may be released.
    The FSA was originally set to expire within five years, but on 
December 7, 2001, the Parties agreed to a termination date of ``45 days 
following defendants' publication of final regulations implementing 
this Agreement.'' A copy of the FSA and the 2001 Stipulation is 
available in the docket for this rulemaking. The primary purpose of the 
regulations is to ``implement[] the Agreement,'' and in turn to 
terminate the FSA.
3. Recent Court Orders
a. Motion To Enforce I
    On January 26, 2004, Plaintiffs filed their first motion to enforce 
the agreement, alleging, among other things, that CBP and ICE: (1) 
Regularly failed to release class members \3\ to caregivers other than 
parents when parents refuse to appear; (2) routinely failed to place 
detained class members in the least restrictive setting; (3) failed to 
provide class members adequate education and mental health services, 
and (4) exposed class members to dangerous and unhealthy conditions. 
Ultimately, after a lengthy discovery process in which the government 
provided Plaintiffs numerous documents related to the government's 
compliance with the FSA, Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Withdrawal of 
Motion to Enforce Settlement on November 14, 2005. The court dismissed 
the matter on May 10, 2006.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ In this context, ``class members'' means minors (as defined 
in the FSA), including both UACs and accompanied minors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Motion To Enforce II
    On February 2, 2015, Plaintiffs filed a second motion to enforce 
the agreement, alleging that CBP and ICE were in violation of the FSA 
because: (1) ICE's supposed no-release policy--i.e., an alleged policy 
of detaining all female-headed families, including children, for as 
long as it takes to determine whether they are entitled to remain in 
the United States--violated the FSA; (2) ICE's routine confinement of 
class members in secure, unlicensed facilities breached the Agreement; 
and (3) CBP exposed class members to harsh and substandard conditions, 
in violation of the Agreement.
    On July 24, 2015, the district court granted Plaintiffs' second 
motion to enforce and denied Defendant DHS's contemporaneous motion to 
modify the agreement. Flores v. Johnson, 212 F. Supp. 3d 864 (C.D. Cal. 
2015). The court found: (1) The FSA applied to all alien minors in 
government custody, including those accompanied by their parents or 
legal guardians; (2) ICE's blanket no-release policy with respect to 
minors accompanied by their mothers was a material breach of the FSA; 
(3) the FSA requires Defendant DHS to release minors with their 
accompanying parent or legal guardian unless this would create a 
significant flight risk or a safety risk; (4) DHS housing minors in 
secure and non-licensed FRCs violated the FSA; and (5) CBP violated the 
FSA by holding minors and UACs in facilities that were not safe and 
sanitary. Id.
    On August 21, 2015, the court denied the Government's motion to 
reconsider and issued a subsequent remedial order for DHS to implement 
six remedies. Flores v. Lynch, 212 F. Supp. 3d 907 (C.D. Cal. 2015). In 
the decision, the court clarified that, as provided in FSA paragraph 
12(A), in the event of an emergency or influx, DHS need not transfer 
minors to a ``licensed program'' pursuant to the 3- and 5-day 
requirements of paragraph 12(A), but must transfer such minors ``as 
expeditiously as possible.'' In the decision, the court referenced the 
Government's assertion that DHS, on average, would detain minors who 
are not UACs for 20 days--the general length of time required to 
complete credible and reasonable fear processing at that time for 
aliens in expedited removal. The court agreed that if 20 days was ``as 
fast as [the Government] . . . can possibly go,'' the Government's 
practice of holding accompanied minors in its FRCs, even if not 
``licensed'' and ``non-secure'' per FSA paragraph 19, may be within the 
parameters of FSA paragraph 12(A). Id. at 914. In a decision issued on 
July 6, 2016, the Ninth Circuit agreed with the district court that 
during an emergency or influx, minors must be transferred ``as 
expeditiously as possible'' to a non-secure, licensed facility. Flores 
v. Lynch, 828 F.3d. 898, 902-03 (9th Cir. 2016). The Ninth Circuit 
affirmed the district court's holding that the FSA ``unambiguously'' 
applies to all alien minors and UACs in government custody \4\ and 
concluded the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying 
the Government's motion to modify the FSA. The Ninth Circuit, however, 
reversed the district court's determination that the FSA required the 
release of accompanying parents. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ DHS continues to maintain that the terms of the FSA were 
intended to apply only to those alien children who were 
unaccompanied. In its brief opposing the Plaintiffs' Motion to 
Enforce II, DHS pointed out that the FSA was entered into for the 
purpose of settling a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of 
the Government's policies, practices, and regulations regarding the 
detention and release of unaccompanied minors. See Def.'s Resp. in 
Opp'n to Mot. To Enforce Settlement of Class Action at 11, Flores v. 
Lynch, 212 F. Supp. 3d 907 (C.D. Cal. 2015) (No. CV 58-4544). This 
proposed rule, however, covers both accompanied and unaccompanied 
minors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

c. Motion To Enforce III
    On May 17, 2016, plaintiffs filed a third motion to enforce the 
agreement, claiming that DHS continued to violate the agreement by: (1) 
Holding class members in CBP facilities that did not meet the 
requirements of the FSA; (2) failing to advise class members of their 
rights under the FSA; (3) making no efforts to release or reunify class 
members with family members; (4) holding class members routinely with 
unrelated adults; (5) detaining class members for weeks or months in 
secure, unlicensed facilities in violation of the FSA; and (6) 
interfering with class members' right to counsel. The Government filed 
a response on June 3, 2016.
    On June 27, 2017, the district court issued an opinion concluding 
that ICE had not complied with the FSA because it had failed to advise 
class members of their rights under the FSA, failed to make continuous 
efforts to release class

[[Page 45492]]

members, and failed to release class members as required by FSA 
paragraphs 12(A) and 14. The Court also found that FRCs were unlicensed 
and secure. Flores v. Sessions, No. 2:85-cv-04544 (C.D. Cal. June 27, 
2017). The district court, however, rejected the claims that ICE had 
impermissibly detained class members with unrelated adults and 
interfered with class members' right to counsel.
    The district court also concluded that CBP acted in violation of 
the FSA in the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector. The court 
pointed to allegations that CBP failed to provide class members 
adequate access to food and water, detained class members in conditions 
that were not safe and sanitary, and failed to keep the temperature of 
the holding cells within a reasonable range. The court ordered the 
appointment of a Juvenile Coordinator for ICE and CBP, responsible for 
monitoring the agencies' compliance with the Agreement. The 
Government's appeal of that decision remains pending. See Flores v. 
Sessions, No. 17-56297 (9th Cir.) (docketed Aug. 28, 2017). On July 27, 
2018, the district court ordered the appointment of an independent 
monitor to oversee compliance with the June 27, 2017 Order.
d. Motion To Enforce IV
    On August 12, 2016, Plaintiffs filed a fourth motion to enforce the 
agreement, claiming that ORR violated the agreement by failing to 
provide UACs in ORR custody with a bond redetermination hearing by an 
immigration judge. The Government argued that the HSA and the TVPRA 
effectively superseded the FSA's bond-hearing requirement with respect 
to UACs, that only HHS could determine the suitability of a sponsor 
(thus determining release), and that immigration judges lacked 
jurisdiction over UACs in ORR custody. The district court agreed that 
only HHS could determine the suitability of a sponsor, but disagreed 
that subsequent laws fully superseded the FSA.
    On January 20, 2017, the court found that HHS breached the FSA by 
denying UACs the right to a bond hearing as provided for in the FSA. 
Flores v. Lynch, No. 2:85-cv-04544, 2017 WL 6049373 (C.D. Cal. Jan. 20, 
2017). The Government appealed to the Ninth Circuit. On July 5, 2017, 
the Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's ruling. The Ninth 
Circuit reasoned that if Congress had intended to terminate the 
settlement agreement in whole or in part through passage of the HSA or 
TVPRA, it would have said so specifically. Flores v. Sessions, 862 F.3d 
863 (9th Cir. 2017). The Government did not seek further review of this 
decision.
e. Motion To Enforce V
    On April 16, 2018, Plaintiffs filed a fifth motion to enforce the 
agreement, claiming ORR unlawfully denied class members licensed 
placements, unlawfully medicated youth without parental authorization, 
and peremptorily extended minors' detention on suspicion that available 
custodians may be unfit. On July 30, 2018, the district court issued an 
Order. Flores v. Sessions, 2:85-cv-04544-DMG-AGR (ECF No. 470, Jul. 30, 
2018).\5\ The Order discussed the Shiloh Residential Treatment Center 
and placement therein, as well as informed consent for psychotropic 
drugs in such Center; placement in secure facilities; notice of 
placement in secure and staff-secure facilities; Director-level review 
of children previously placed in secure or staff-secure facilities and 
other issues. Readers should refer to the full Order for details.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The Department of Justice has not yet decided whether to 
appeal the July 30 order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

f. Motion for Relief
    On June 21, 2018, in accordance with the President's June 20, 2018, 
Executive Order ``Affording Congress an Opportunity to Address Family 
Separation,'' the Government sought limited emergency relief from two 
provisions of the FSA--the release provision of Paragraph 14, as well 
as the licensing requirements of Paragraph 19. This relief was sought 
in order to permit DHS to detain alien family units together for the 
pendency of their immigration proceedings. The court denied this motion 
on July 9, 2018.
    This Motion to Modify sought relief consistent with this proposed 
rule, although this rule includes some affirmative proposals (like the 
federal-licensing regime) that were not at issue in that motion. For 
example, as discussed below, by creating a federal licensing scheme for 
FRCs, the proposed rule would eliminate a barrier to keeping family 
units in detention during their immigration proceedings, consistent 
with all applicable law while still providing similar substantive 
protections to minors.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ At the time of the publication of this proposed rule, the 
issue of family separation and reunification is the subject of 
litigation in multiple jurisdictions. This proposed rule is not 
intended to directly address matters related to that litigation. A 
significant purpose of the proposed rule with regard to accompanied 
minors is to allow decisions regarding the detention of families to 
be made together as a unit, under a single legal regime, and without 
having a disparate legal regime applicable to the parent versus the 
child.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Basis and Purpose of Regulatory Action

1. Need for Regulations Implementing the Relevant and Substantive Terms 
of the FSA
    Under the requirements of the FSA, when DHS apprehends an alien 
parent or legal guardian with his or her child(ren) either illegally 
entering the United States between the ports of entry or found 
inadmissible at a port of entry, it has, following initiation of 
removal proceedings, three primary options for purposes of immigration 
custody: (1) Parole all family members into the United States; (2) 
detain the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and either release the 
juvenile to another parent or legal guardian or transfer them to HHS to 
be treated as an UAC; or (3) detain the family unit together by placing 
them at an appropriate FRC during their immigration proceedings. The 
practical implications of the FSA, including the lack of state 
licensing for FRCs, have effectively prevented the Government from 
using the third option for more than a limited period of time. This 
rule would, when finalized, eliminate that barrier and allow for the 
full range of options at each stage of proceedings.
    On June 20, 2018, the President issued Executive Order 13841 
specifying that ``[i]t is . . . the policy of this Administration to 
maintain family unity, including by detaining alien families together 
where appropriate and consistent with law and available resources.'' 
E.O. 13841 sec. 1, 83 FR 29435. The President further provided that the 
Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary), shall, to the extent 
permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations, 
maintain custody of alien families during the pendency of any . . . 
immigration proceedings involving their members.'' Id. sec. 3. The 
President further directed agency components to make available 
additional facilities for housing families. Id. sec. 3(c), (d). And the 
President provided that the Attorney General ``shall, to the extent 
practicable, prioritize the adjudication of cases involving detained 
families.'' Id. sec. 4.
    There are several advantages to maintaining family unity during 
immigration proceedings. Those include the interest in the child being 
with and under the considerate care of the parent, the strong interest 
parents have in caring for their children, the guidance parents can 
provide to children during immigration proceedings and the manner in 
which keeping families together facilitates communications among family 
members, the consolidation of the family members'

[[Page 45493]]

removal proceedings, and to facilitate the physical removal of a family 
together as a unit if immigration relief is unavailable. But the 
practical implications of the FSA, and in particular the lack of state 
licensing for FRCs and the release requirements for minors, have 
effectively prevented the Government from using family detention for 
more than a limited period of time, and in turn often led to the 
release of families. That combination of factors may create a powerful 
incentive for adults to bring juveniles on the dangerous journey to the 
United States and then put them in further danger by illegally crossing 
the United States border--in the hope, whether correct or not, that 
having a juvenile will result in an immediate release into the United 
States. At the same time, the second choice--that of separating family 
members so the adult may be held in detention pending immigration 
proceedings--is to be avoided when possible, and has generated 
significant litigation. See Ms. L v. ICE, No. 18-428 (S.D. Cal.).
    This rule serves to clear the way for the sensible use of family 
residential centers when it is lawful and appropriate. In particular, 
it would create a federal licensing process to resolve the current 
problem caused by a state-licensing requirement that is ill-suited to 
family detention, and it would allow for compatible treatment of a 
family unit in immigration custody and proceedings by eliminating 
barriers to that compatibility imposed by the FSA. Further, it would 
eliminate the disparate legal regime that currently applies to 
decisions to detain a family unit, with one regime applying to the 
minor (the FSA, including the state-licensing requirement and release 
provisions under FSA paragraph 14) and another regime applying to the 
parent (the existing statutes and regulations governing release on bond 
or parole under the relevant circumstances). That disparate regime 
creates problems for maintaining family unity while also enforcing the 
immigration laws. Instead, the proposed rule would ensure that a single 
regime applies to the family unit, namely, the existing statutes and 
regulations governing release on bond or parole.
    This rule would allow for detention at FRCs for the pendency of 
immigration proceedings (subject to all applicable statutes and 
regulations governing their detention or release) in order to permit 
families to be detained together and parents not be separated from 
their children. It is important that family detention be a viable 
option not only for the numerous benefits that family unity provides 
for both the family and the administration of the INA, but also due to 
the significant and ongoing influx of adults who have made the choice 
to enter the United States illegally with juveniles or make the 
dangerous overland journey to the border with juveniles, a practice 
that puts juveniles at significant risk of harm. The expectation that 
adults with juveniles will remain in the United States outside of 
immigration detention may incentivize these risky practices.
    In the summer of 2014, an unprecedented number of family units from 
Central America illegally entered or were found inadmissible to the 
United States. In Fiscal Year 2013, the total number of family units 
apprehended entering the United States illegally on the Southwest 
Border was 14,855. By Fiscal Year 2014, that figure had increased to 
68,445. See https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2017-Dec/BP%20Total%20Monthly%20Family%20Units%20by%20Sector%2C%20FY13-FY17.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2017-Dec/BP%20Total%20Monthly%20Family%20Units%20by%20Sector%2C%20FY13-FY17.pdf (last visited August 17, 2018) See also https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/sw-border-migration (last visited August 
17, 2018).

  Table 1--Family Unit Apprehensions at the Southwest Border by Fiscal
                                 Year 7
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Family unit
                                                           apprehensions
                       Fiscal Year                            at the
                                                             Southwest
                                                              Border
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013....................................................          14,855
2014....................................................          68,445
2015....................................................          39,838
2016....................................................          77,674
2017....................................................          75,622
2018 *..................................................          77,802
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Partial year data for FY 2018; does not include August and September.

    Prior to 2014, the only option available to the Government for the 
large majority of family units entering the United States was the first 
option described above--i.e., to issue the family a Notice to Appear 
and release the alien family to temporarily remain in the United States 
pending their removal proceedings. Thus, when an unprecedented number 
of families decided to undertake the dangerous journey to the United 
States in 2014, DHS officials faced an urgent humanitarian situation. 
DHS encountered numerous alien families and juveniles who were hungry, 
thirsty, exhausted, scared, vulnerable, and at times in need of medical 
attention, with some also having been beaten, starved, sexually 
assaulted or worse during their journey to the United States.
    DHS mounted a multi-pronged response to this situation. As one part 
of this response, DHS placed families at existing FRCs and oversaw the 
construction of appropriate facilities to detain family units together, 
in a safe and humane environment, during the pendency of their 
immigration proceedings, which typically involved expedited removal. 
Although it is difficult to definitively prove a causal link given the 
many factors that influence migration, DHS's assessment is that this 
change helped stem the border crisis, as it correlated with a 
significant drop in family migration: Family unit apprehensions on the 
Southwest Border dropped from 68,445 in Fiscal Year 2014 to 39,838 in 
Fiscal Year 2015.
    Although the border crisis prompted DHS to hold family units 
together, DHS quickly faced legal challenges asserting that the FSA 
applied to accompanied minors and that family detention did not comply 
with the provisions of the FSA. In July 2015, a federal court rejected 
the Government's interpretation of the FSA to permit family residential 
centers, and declined to modify the FSA to allow DHS to address this 
significant influx of family units crossing the border and permit 
family detention. See Flores v. Lynch, 828 F.3d 898, 909-10 (9th Cir. 
2016). The Government had explained to the court that doing so would 
``mak[e] it impossible for ICE to house families at ICE [FRCs], and to 
instead require ICE to separate accompanied children from their parents 
or legal guardians.'' Flores v. Lynch, No. 85-4544, Defendants' 
Opposition to Motion to Enforce, ECF 121 at 17 (C.D. Cal. Feb. 27, 
2015).
    When the FSA was found to apply to accompanied minors--an 
interpretation with which the Government continues to disagree--the 
agencies faced new practical problems. The FSA requires DHS to transfer 
minors to a non-secure, licensed facility ``as expeditiously as 
possible,'' and further provides that a ``licensed'' facility is one 
that is ``licensed by a State agency.'' FSA paragraphs 6, 12(A). That 
prompted significant and ongoing litigation regarding the ability to 
obtain state licensing of FRCs, as many States did not have, and have 
not succeeded in putting in place, licensing schemes governing 
facilities that hold family units together. That litigation severely 
limited the ability to maintain detention of families together. Again, 
although it

[[Page 45494]]

is difficult to definitively prove the causal link, DHS's assessment is 
that the link is real, as those limitations correlated with a sharp 
increase in family migration: The number of family unit apprehensions 
by CBP again spiked--from 39,838 in Fiscal Year 2015 to the highest 
level ever, 77,674 in Fiscal Year 2016. The number of such 
apprehensions along the Southwest Border has continued to rise, and has 
now reached 77,802 in Fiscal Year 2018, with two months remaining in 
the fiscal year and a rate of nearly 10,000 per month for the past four 
months. See Southwest Border Migration 2018, https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/sw-border-migration.
    As long as the licensing must come from a state specifically 
(rather than from the federal government), DHS's ability to effectively 
use family detention is limited. A federal program (especially 
immigration enforcement) that the Constitution and Congress commit to 
federal discretion should not depend on state licensing, particularly 
when a well-established state licensing scheme does not already exist. 
In order to avoid separating family units, DHS needs to release adult 
family members in cases where detention would otherwise be mandatory 
and DHS determines parole is not appropriate, or in cases where DHS 
and/or immigration courts believe detention of the parent is needed to 
ensure appearance at future removal proceedings or to prevent danger to 
the community.\8\ Because of ongoing litigation concerning state 
licensure for FRCs, ICE rarely is able to hold family units for longer 
than approximately 20 days. The result is that many families are 
released in the interior of the United States. While statistics 
specific to family units have not been compiled, the reality is that a 
significant number of aliens who are not in detention either fail to 
appear at the required proceedings or never actually seek asylum 
relief, thus remaining illegally in the United States. See https://www.justice.gov/eoir/file/1083096/download (in FY 2018 to date, 26 
percent of case completions for individual case completions are in 
absentia orders, and 53 percent of case completions for unaccompanied 
minors are in absentia orders).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ Current parole regulations address parole, including for 
juveniles in custody as well as parole for aliens subject to 
expedited removal. See 8 CFR 212.5(b)(3) (parole for juveniles); 8 
CFR 235.3(b)(2)(iii), (b)(4)(ii) (limiting parole for those in 
expedited removal proceedings). While DHS proposes amendments to 
section 212.5(b) as a part of this regulation, this regulation is 
not intended to address or alter the standards contained in sections 
212.5(b) or 235.3(b). To the extent that paragraph 14 of the FSA has 
been interpreted to require application of the juvenile parole 
regulation to release during expedited removal proceedings, see 
Flores v. Sessions, Order at 23-27 (June 27, 2017), this regulation 
is intended to permit detention in FRCs in lieu of release (except 
where parole is appropriate under 8 CFR 235.3(b)(2)(iii) or 
(b)(4)(ii)) in order to avoid the need to separate or release 
families in these circumstances.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As described above, there have been several important changes in 
law and circumstance since FSA was executed: (1) A significantly 
changed agency structure addressing the care and custody of juveniles, 
including the development of FRCs that provide appropriate treatment 
for minors while allowing them to be held together with their families; 
(2) a new statutory framework that governs the treatment of UACs; (3) 
significant increases in the number of families and UACs crossing the 
border since 1997, thus affecting immigration enforcement priorities 
and national security; and (4) further recognition of the importance of 
keeping families together during immigration proceedings when 
appropriate and the legal and practical implications of not providing 
uniform proceedings for family units in these circumstances. The 
agencies have thus determined that it is necessary to put into place 
regulations that comply with the relevant and substantive terms of the 
FSA regarding the conditions for custodial settings for minors, but, 
through federal licensing, will provide the flexibility necessary to 
protect the public safety and enforce the immigration laws given 
current challenges that did not exist when the FSA was executed. This 
proposed rule will provide DHS with the option of keeping families who 
must or should be detained together at appropriately licensed FRCs for 
the time needed to complete immigration proceedings, subject to the 
sound implementation of existing statutes and regulations governing 
release on parole or bond.
2. Purpose of the Regulations
    The primary purpose of this action is to promulgate regulations 
that would ultimately lead to the termination of the FSA, as provided 
for in FSA paragraph 40. This proposed rule would implement the 
relevant and substantive terms of the FSA and provisions of the HSA and 
TVPRA where they necessarily intersect with the FSA's provisions. The 
rule would also make some modifications to the literal text of the FSA, 
but while providing similar substantive protections to juveniles. For 
example, the rule would allow for detention of families together in 
federally-licensed programs (rather than facilities licensed 
specifically by a state). States generally do not have licensing 
schemes for family residential centers. Thus, the literal text of the 
FSA currently imposes a limitation on DHS's ability to detain family 
units together in a FRC during their immigration proceedings, 
consistent with applicable law. The federal licensing scheme in turn 
would provide similar substantive protections regarding the conditions 
of such facilities, and thus implement the underlying purpose of the 
state-licensing requirement.
    This rule is proposed under the FSA's guiding principle that the 
Government treats, and shall continue to treat, all juveniles in its 
custody with dignity, respect, and special concern for their particular 
vulnerability as minors.
    The current DHS regulations on the detention and release of aliens 
under the age of 18 found at 8 CFR 236.3 have not been substantively 
updated since their promulgation in 1988.\9\ DHS therefore proposes to 
revise 8 CFR 236.3 to promulgate the relevant and substantive terms of 
the FSA as regulations. In addition, there are currently no HHS 
regulations on this topic. HHS proposes a new 45 CFR part 410 for the 
same reason.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See Detention and Release of Juveniles, 53 FR 17449 (May 17, 
1998). When published as a final rule, the provisions applying to 
the detention and release of juveniles were originally placed in 8 
CFR 242.24. After Congress passed IIRIRA, the former INS published a 
final rule updating several immigration-related provisions of the 
CFR and moved these provisions from section 242.24 of Title 8 to 
Sec.  236.3. See Inspection and Expedited Removal of Aliens; 
Detention and Removal of Aliens; Conduct of Removal Proceedings; 
Asylum proceedings, 62 FR 10312 (Mar. 6, 1997).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As noted, the proposed regulations would implement the relevant and 
substantive terms of the FSA and related statutory provisions. Separate 
from the FSA, DHS has over time developed various policies and other 
sub-regulatory documents that address issues related to DHS custody of 
minor aliens and UACs.\10\ In considering these proposed regulations, 
DHS reviewed such policies, and determined that the proposed 
regulations are compatible with them. Current policies on the 
detention, apprehension, and transportation of minors and UACs 
generally would not, therefore, need to be altered to bring them into 
conformity with the proposed rule. This rule is not, however, intended 
to displace or otherwise codify such policies and procedures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ See, e.g., ICE, Family Residential Standards, https://www.ice.gov/detention-standards/family-residential (last visited May 
1, 2018); CBP, National Standards on Transport, Escort, Detention, 
and Search (Oct. 2015), https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2017-Sep/CBP%20TEDS%20Policy%20Oct2015.pdf (last 
visited May 1, 2018).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, this proposed rule excludes those provisions of the FSA 
that are

[[Page 45495]]

relevant solely by virtue of the FSA's existence as a settlement 
agreement. For instance, the FSA contains a number of special 
provisions that relate specifically to class counsel and the 
supervising court with respect to the Departments' compliance with the 
FSA. Following termination of the FSA, such provisions will no longer 
be necessary, because compliance with the published regulations will 
replace compliance with the settlement agreement. As a result, they are 
not included in this proposed rule.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ For instance, paragraphs 32(A), (B), and (D), and 33 of the 
FSA grants Flores class counsel special access to covered minors and 
to certain facilities that hold such minors; it is unnecessary to 
codify these provisions in regulation. Similarly, paragraphs 29 to 
31 include special reporting requirements with respect to class 
counsel and the supervising court; reporting to these entities would 
be unnecessary following termination of the FSA.
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V. Discussion of Elements of the Proposed Rule

    As stated above, the purpose of this rule is to terminate the FSA 
by to promulgating regulations that implement it, with minor 
modifications to reflect changes in governing law and the operational 
realities on the ground. These proposed regulations, therefore, largely 
replicate the language of the FSA for publication in the Code of 
Federal Regulations. The Departments propose some modifications to the 
literal text of the FSA, however, to ensure the Government continues to 
comply with the underlying goals of the FSA in a legal and operational 
environment that has significantly changed since the FSA was signed 
over 20 years ago.
    The Departments have different responsibilities vis-[agrave]-vis 
implementation of the FSA, and so each Department's proposed regulatory 
text seeks to address these various responsibilities. DHS's proposed 
regulations seek to establish procedures for the apprehension, 
processing, care, custody, and release of alien minors, consistent with 
its obligations under the FSA. While the following sections explain why 
the proposed regulations do not adopt the literal text of the FSA in 
certain circumstances, one notable change is the proposal for an 
alternative licensing process that would allow FRCs to be considered 
``licensed programs'' under FSA paragraph 6, and thus suitable for the 
detention of non-UAC minors, along with their accompanying parents or 
legal guardians, for longer periods of time than they are currently 
used. DHS proposes these changes to allow the Department to fully and 
consistently apply the law to all aliens who are subject to detention, 
so that aliens do not have the opportunity to abscond from DHS custody 
simply because they were encountered with children.
    HHS's proposed regulations seek to establish procedures for the 
processing, care, custody, and release of certain UACs that by law are 
subject to the care and custody of ORR.

A. DHS Regulations

    DHS proposes to make edits to current section 212.5 primarily to 
ensure that the terminology used in that section is consistent with the 
language used in the additional proposed amendments codifying the FSA, 
explained below. DHS proposes to remove the term ``juvenile'' from 8 
CFR 212.5(b) and replace it with ``minor in DHS custody,'' as the 
proposed amendments to 8 CFR 236.3 remove the term ``juvenile,'' from 
its definitions section.
    DHS also proposes to remove the words ``relative,'' ``brother,'' 
``sister,'' ``aunt,'' ``uncle,'' ``or grandparent,'' and replace these 
terms with ``parent or legal guardian.'' Given that, pursuant to the 
HSA and TVPRA, DHS does not have the legal authority to release a 
juvenile in its custody to anyone other than a parent or legal 
guardian,\12\ allowing these terms to remain in the regulatory text 
improperly implies that DHS will engage in an activity not authorized 
by statute, i.e. releasing a minor on parole into the custody of 
someone other than a parent or legal guardian. Further, DHS is 
proposing to remove paragraph (b)(3)(iii) in its entirety due to the 
same constraints on its legal authority to release minors to 
individuals who are not parents or legal guardians. DHS is also 
proposing to replace the term ``Director, Deportation and Removal,'' 
with ``Executive Assistant Director, Enforcement and Removal 
Operations,'' to reflect the current title of the position used within 
DHS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ See further explanation infra under discussion of proposed 
236.3(g), including note 20.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DHS is also proposing to remove the cross-reference to section 
235.3(b) as it currently appears in section 212.5(b), to eliminate an 
ambiguity and to codify its longstanding understanding of how certain 
provisions in section 235.3(b) relating to parole of aliens in 
expedited removal proceedings apply to minors. In particular, 
eliminating that cross reference would make it clear that the 
provisions in section 235.3(b) governing parole of an aliens in 
expedited removal apply to all such aliens, and not merely adults. The 
current cross-reference to section 235.3(b) is confusing, however, 
because it suggests that the more flexible standard in section 212.5(b) 
might override those provisions when a minor is in expedited removal. 
DHS disagrees with that interpretation of its current regulations, 
which, among other things, is in tension with the text of the relevant 
statutory provision. See 8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(1)(B)(iii)(IV) (``Any alien 
subject to [expedited removal] shall be detained pending a final 
determination of credible fear of persecution and, if found not to have 
such a fear, until removed.''). DHS is accordingly amending section 
212.5(b) to codify its understanding and to eliminate the ambiguity and 
any potential tension with the statute. This change is discussed more 
fully below.'' DHS proposes to revise its current regulations on the 
detention and release of minor aliens by replacing section 236.3 in its 
entirety. Proposed paragraph 236.3(a)(1) codifies the FSA's general 
policy statement, found in paragraph 11 of the FSA, that minors and 
UACs in DHS custody shall be treated with dignity, respect, and special 
concern for their particular vulnerability.
    Current section 236.3 on the ``Detention and release of juveniles'' 
is silent with respect to whether its provisions apply to aliens 
detained under mandatory or discretionary legal authorities. This 
distinction is often meaningful in immigration law because the 
authority under which aliens are detained may dictate which regulations 
apply to those detained aliens. However, the FSA does not distinguish 
the applicability of its provisions as between aliens held under 
mandatory or discretionary legal authorities. Proposed Sec.  
236.3(a)(2), therefore, provides that the provisions of the section 
apply equally to those minors who are subject to mandatory detention as 
those subject to discretionary detention, to the extent authorized by 
law.
Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(b)--Definitions
    The current regulations at section 236.3(a) contain a single 
definition of the term ``juvenile,'' which is defined as any alien 
under the age of 18. The FSA does not use the term ``juvenile,'' but it 
contains several other terms of art that must be defined in DHS 
regulations to parallel the terms of the agreement. This proposed rule, 
therefore, removes the term ``juvenile'' from the definitions in 
section 236.3 and adds several other definitions that are either 
explicitly written into the FSA or are necessary to understanding the 
FSA's provisions, given the changes in law that have occurred since the 
FSA's signing.
    Minor and UAC. Proposed Sec.  236.3(b) removes the definition of 
``juvenile,'' because the term, defined as any alien under the age of 
18, is too broad to be

[[Page 45496]]

a useful definition for the purposes of this proposed rule. Instead, 
proposed Sec.  236.3(b) replaces the term ``juvenile'' with two 
definitions: ``minor,'' as it is defined in the FSA, and unaccompanied 
alien child (UAC), as it is defined in 6 U.S.C. 279(g)(2). The 
distinction between these two groups of juveniles became legally 
relevant for DHS's actions because the TVPRA authorizes only ORR to be 
responsible for the care and custody of UACs. See 6 U.S.C. 279(b)(1); 8 
U.S.C. 1232(b)(1).
    The definitions of minor and UAC are not mutually exclusive, 
because although most UACs will also meet the definition of minor, some 
will not. For instance, an alien juvenile who has been legally 
emancipated does not meet the definition of a minor as set out in the 
FSA, so the provisions of this proposed rule would not apply to that 
juvenile. The definition of UAC, however, does not exclude emancipated 
juveniles. Thus, if an immigration officer encounters any alien 
juvenile (regardless of whether such juvenile has been emancipated) who 
has no lawful immigration status, has not attained 18 years of age, and 
has no parent or legal guardian present in the United States or no 
parent or legal guardian is available to provide care and physical 
custody for that juvenile, the juvenile meets the definition of a UAC, 
and the immigration officer must transfer the juvenile to HHS as set 
forth under this rule. While the proposed rule does not include a 
definition of juvenile, this preamble uses the term juvenile to mean 
any alien under the age of 18.
    Emergency and Influx. The FSA also includes definitions of 
``emergency'' and ``influx,'' to explain the circumstances under which 
the FSA permits the Government more than three or five days to transfer 
juveniles to licensed programs. The proposed rule would add definitions 
of both ``emergency'' and ``influx'' to the regulations in the 
definitions section at 236.3(b), capturing the relevant and substantive 
terms of paragraph 12(B) of the FSA. The proposed definition of 
emergency largely tracks the existing text of the FSA, except that it 
reflects DHS's recognition that emergencies may not only delay 
placement of minors, but could also delay compliance with other 
provisions of this proposed rule, or excuse noncompliance on a 
temporary basis. For example, access to a snack or meal may be delayed 
if a minor is being transported from a facility in the path of a major 
hurricane to another facility in a safer location and that 
transportation happens during a time when the minor would have access 
to a snack or meal. Once at a safe location or the emergency otherwise 
abates, the schedule would return to normal for those minors. Under 
current procedures, the disruption of the scheduled items due to the 
emergency, and the cause of the delay, would be noted in the applicable 
system of records for those minors who were impacted.
    The impact, severity, and timing of a given emergency situation 
dictate the operational feasibility of providing certain items to 
minors, and thus the regulations cannot contain every possible reality 
DHS will face. Thus, the definition of ``emergency'' is flexible and 
designed to cover a wide range of possible emergencies.
    The FSA defines an influx as a situation where legacy ``INS has, at 
any given time, more than 130 minors eligible for placement in a 
licensed program under Paragraph 19, including those who have been so 
placed or are awaiting such placement.'' Accordingly, as proposed, DHS 
would adopt this definition of ``influx'' without change, except to 
reflect the transfer of responsibilities from legacy INS to DHS and 
ORR, and to reflect that DHS maintains custody of minors, as defined in 
this section, and, for the short period pending their transfer to ORR, 
UACs.
    However, DHS regularly has more than 130 minors and UACs in custody 
who are eligible for placement in a licensed program, and for years has 
been operating at the current FSA definition of ``influx.'' DHS 
nonetheless believes that this defined term continues to be useful in 
the context in which it is used. As reflected in the discussion of 
proposed Sec.  236.3(e) below, the main implication of the threshold 
for an ``influx'' is that in general, under the FSA, DHS is required to 
transfer non-UAC minors to licensed facilities ``as expeditiously as 
possible'' rather than within either a 3- or a 5-day timeframe, because 
DHS is currently operating under an influx. Notably, the FSA's transfer 
timeframes no longer control for DHS operations with respect to UACs--
the TVPRA requires that UACs be transferred out of DHS custody within 
72 hours of determining that the alien is a UAC, absent exceptional 
circumstances. As a result, although the number of UACs in custody 
could impact whether DHS is operating under an ``influx,'' the transfer 
of UACs to ORR remains governed by the requirements of the TVPRA at all 
times. Given current operational realities, the ``as expeditiously as 
possible'' timeframe contained in the FSA remains appropriate and 
consistent with DHS's goal to expeditiously transfer minors who are not 
UACs. DHS also notes that even under this standard, i.e., even in 
current ``influx'' conditions, CBP generally transfers minors who are 
not UACs out of its facilities within 3 to 5 days.
    DHS nonetheless welcomes public comment on whether it would be 
appropriate to revise the definition of influx to better reflect 
current operational realities. For instance, DHS could define an influx 
as a situation in which DHS determines that significantly more minors 
or UACs are awaiting transfer than facility space is available to 
accommodate them, which prevents or delays timely transport or 
placement of minors or impacts other conditions provided by the 
regulations. This definition may effectively codify the relevant and 
substantive terms of the FSA in today's context. It would also allow 
for flexibility across the national operations of DHS, without imposing 
a hard numerical trigger for when the definition of ``influx'' applies. 
Under this option, DHS would not be operating under an ``influx'' as a 
steady state, as the FSA's definition of influx currently requires; 
instead, an influx would only exist when there is a significant number 
of minors or UACs compared to available bed space in licensed 
facilities, and that the surrounding circumstances prevent or delay the 
timely transport or placement of minors or impact other conditions 
provided by the regulations. A single factor alone would not trigger 
such a provision.
    Licensed Facility and Non-Secure. Paragraph 6 of the FSA defines 
``licensed program'' as a program, agency, or organization that is 
``licensed by a State agency to provide residential, group, or foster 
care services for dependent children.'' Under paragraph 6, a ``licensed 
program'' as used in the agreement must generally be ``non-secure,'' 
except in certain cases for special needs minors. The proposed rule in 
section 236.3(b)(9) & (b)(11) includes definitions of ``licensed 
facility'' and ``non-secure'' to conform as closely as possible to the 
terms and purpose of the FSA while responding to operational realities 
of ICE's temporary detention of minors. To parallel the provisions of 
FSA paragraph 6, DHS is proposing that facilities that temporarily 
detain minors obtain licensing where appropriate licenses are available 
from a state, county, or municipality in which the facility is located.
    However, most states do not offer licensing for facilities like 
these FRCs, i.e., locations that house minors together with their 
parents or legal guardians. And those states that have previously 
offered licensing for FRCs have had their licensing schemes challenged 
(and in at least one case invalidated) through

[[Page 45497]]

litigation.\13\ That has imposed a barrier to the continued use of 
FRCs: It is difficult to continue to detain a family in a state-
licensed facility, so continued application of a state-licensing 
requirement can effectively require DHS to release children (but not 
their parents) from the FRC. The proposed rule would eliminate that 
barrier to the continued use of FRCs by creating an alternative federal 
licensing scheme for such detention. The goal is to provide materially 
identical assurances about the conditions of confinement at that 
facility, and thus to implement the underlying purpose of the FSA's 
licensing requirement. It would in turn allow decisions regarding the 
detention of families to be made together as a unit, under a single 
legal regime (the background rules regarding detention and release), 
rather than under two different regimes (one applicable to the parent 
and another to the child).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ See, e.g., Grassroots Leadership, Inc. v. Tex. Dep't of 
Family and Protective Servs., No. D-1-GN-15-004336 (Tex. Dist. Ct. 
amended final judgment Dec. 2, 2016) (finding regulatory scheme for 
FRCs invalid); Commonwealth of Pa., Dep't of Human Servs., 
Adjudication and Order, Pa. Dep't of Human Servs., Bureau of 
Hearings and Appeals, BHA Docket No. 061-16-0003 (Apr. 20, 2017) 
(ordering the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to rescind 
its revocation of the license for Berks).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specifically, DHS proposes that if no such licensing scheme is 
available in a given jurisdiction, a facility will be considered 
licensed if DHS employs an outside entity to ensure that the facility 
complies with family residential standards established by ICE. This 
alternative licensing process is being proposed to enable DHS to house 
minors together with their parents or legal guardians in FRCs, subject 
to appropriate standards and oversight, even in jurisdictions in which 
an applicable licensing regime is unavailable. By providing an 
alternative to state licensure where such licensure is unavailable, DHS 
would appropriately preserve its ability to detain minors together with 
their parents or legal guardians throughout the removal process, if DHS 
decides, consistent with the standards in the proposed rule and 
applicable statutes and regulations, that it is necessary or 
appropriate to maintain custody for more than a brief period. Moreover, 
the alternative federal licensing scheme would provide effectively the 
same substantive protections that the state-licensing requirement 
exists to provide, and accordingly fulfill the underlying purpose of 
the state-licensing requirement under the FSA. And by requiring DHS to 
hire an auditor to ensure compliance with ICE's detention standards, 
DHS's alternative licensing process would mirror analogous state 
licensure processes for detention centers and achieve the goals of 
state licensure by providing third-party oversight of a facility's 
compliance with an established set of standards.
    Finally, while the FSA uses the term ``non-secure,'' as a part of 
the definition of a licensed program, the FSA does not define this 
term. The proposed rule provides a definition of non-secure to provide 
clarity on the use of this term in the immigration detention context. 
Like the availability of a license for FRCs, the definition of a non-
secure facility may vary by state or locality. Accordingly, DHS 
proposes that a facility will be deemed non-secure if it meets its 
state's or locality's definition, but if no such definition is provided 
by the state or locality, the proposed rule provides that a facility 
will be deemed non-secure if it meets an alternative definition derived 
from Pennsylvania's definition of secure care.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ See Pa. Code 3800.5 (describing ``secure care'' as that 
which is provided in a 24-hour living setting for delinquent 
children from which ``voluntary egress'' is prohibited from the 
building through internal or exterior locks or from the premises 
through secure, perimeter fencing). DHS chose to use Pennsylvania's 
definition as a starting point for this proposed definition because 
of the three family residential centers (FRCs) currently in 
operation, the facility located in Berks County, PA, is the longest 
operating of the FRCs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Other definitions. The FSA also contains definitions of the terms 
``special needs minor'' and ``escape-risk,'' which DHS proposes to 
adopt.\15\ DHS does not propose to adopt the FSA's term ``medium 
security facility'' because DHS does not maintain any medium security 
facilities for the temporary detention of minors, and the definition is 
now unnecessary. The proposed rule does, however, add definitions of 
the terms ``custody,'' ``family unit,'' and ``family residential 
center'' because the enactment of the TVPRA and current DHS detention 
practices require the use of these terms to accurately describe the 
requirements and processes necessary in the apprehension, processing, 
care, and custody of alien juveniles.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ The FSA's definition of ``escape-risk'' allows 
consideration of, inter alia, whether ``the minor has previously 
absconded or attempted to abscond from INS custody.'' This proposed 
rule would specifically identify absconding from any federal or 
state custody as a relevant factor, not just the custody of INS or 
its successor agencies. This change is consistent with the FSA, 
which provides only a non-exhaustive list of considerations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(c)--Age Determination
    Determining the age of an alien is not discussed in the current 
regulations, but is essential for DHS to apply the appropriate 
provisions of the FSA and the TVPRA to an alien in its custody. 
Paragraph 13 of the FSA provides a ``reasonable person'' standard for 
determining whether a detained alien is an adult or a minor. Paragraph 
13 also allows medical or dental examinations by a medical 
professional, or other appropriate procedures, for purposes of age 
verification. Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(c) would incorporate the FSA's 
``reasonable person'' standard and the FSA's standards with respect to 
medical and dental examinations, and would also be consistent with the 
TVPRA's standards for determining whether an alien is under or over the 
age of 18. The proposed rule would add that age determinations must be 
based on the totality of the evidence and circumstances.
Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(d)--Determining Whether an Alien Is a UAC
    The current regulations make no distinction between UACs and other 
minors. While no distinction is included in the language of the FSA, 
such a distinction is made necessary by the HSA and TVPRA, as explained 
above. Accordingly, proposed 8 CFR 236.3(d) would explain when DHS 
makes a determination whether an alien juvenile is a UAC. Under the 
proposed rule, immigration officers will make a determination of 
whether an alien meets the definition of a UAC each time they encounter 
the alien. Therefore, even though an alien may have been previously 
determined to be a UAC, the alien may no longer meet the statutory 
definition of a UAC if the alien reaches the age of 18, acquires legal 
status, or if a parent or legal guardian is available in the United 
States to provide care and physical custody. The proposed paragraph 
also highlights that, once an alien no longer meets the definition of a 
UAC, the legal protections afforded only to UACs under the law cease to 
apply.
Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(e)--Transfer of Minors Who Are Not UACs From One 
Facility to Another
    This section of the proposed rule would address the FSA's 
requirement that minors and UACs be transferred to and placed in 
``licensed programs.'' Paragraph 12(A) of the FSA requires DHS to place 
in a licensed program those minors who are not released. As mentioned 
above, the FSA defines a licensed program as a program, agency, or 
organization that is ``licensed by a State agency to provide 
residential, group, or foster care services for dependent children.'' 
Facilities operated by licensed programs must be non-

[[Page 45498]]

secure, unless it is appropriate to house such minors in secure 
detention facilities. Currently, the only non-secure facilities in 
which ICE detains minors who are not UACs are the FRCs.\16\ When 
appropriate, ICE places minors in FRCs together with their parents or 
legal guardians until ICE can release the minor.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ The Flores district court has held that ICE FRCs are 
secure; the Government has appealed that decision. See Flores v. 
Sessions, No. 2:85-cv-04544 (C.D. Cal. June 27, 2017), appeal 
pending, No. 17-56297 (9th Cir.) (docketed Aug. 28, 2017).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed above in connection with the proposed definition of 
``licensed facility'' in proposed Sec.  236.3(b)(9), this proposed rule 
would create an alternative system of regulating facilities, in lieu of 
state licensure. This system would allow ICE to make decisions 
regarding the detention of families together as a unit, under the 
applicable legal standard, while fulfilling the goals of state 
licensure by ensuring independent oversight of FRCs.
    FSA paragraph 12(A) provides that legacy ``INS will transfer a 
minor from a placement under this paragraph to a placement under 
Paragraph 19 [i.e., a licensed program] . . . within three (3) days, if 
the minor was apprehended in an INS district in which a licensed 
program is located and has space available; or (ii) within five (5) 
days in all other cases; except'' in certain circumstances, including 
``in the event of an emergency or influx of minors into the United 
States, in which case the INS shall place all minors pursuant to 
Paragraph 19 as expeditiously as possible.'' As noted in the discussion 
above regarding the FSA's definition of ``influx,'' DHS has 
continuously been dealing with an ``influx'' of minors, as that term is 
defined in the FSA. Accordingly, the proposed transfer provision in 
section 236.3(e) would make ``as expeditiously as possible'' the 
default for transferring minors who are not UACs to a licensed 
facility, but notes that if an emergency or influx, as defined in the 
regulations, does not exist, the FSA's ``default'' 3- and 5-day 
timeframes apply.
    The revised order of the text (i.e., making clear that in general 
the ``as expeditiously as possible'' standard applies, except where an 
emergency or influx does not exist) is consistent with the goal of DHS 
operational offices to transfer all minors who are not UACs as 
expeditiously as possible, given operational realities. This proposed 
amendment adds clarity, but does not change the timeframes that have 
applied with respect to non-UAC minors for two decades under the FSA.
    This provision would not retain two additional exceptions to the 3-
day transfer timeframe. First, the exception at Paragraph 12(A)(2), 
requiring transfer in the timeline provided by ``any court decree or 
court-approved settlement,'' is not needed, as a court order would 
govern in any event. Second, the exception at paragraph 12(A)(4) of the 
FSA, allowing transfer within 5 days instead of 3 days in cases 
involving transport from remote areas or where an alien speaks an 
``unusual'' language that requires the Government to locate an 
interpreter, is not included. DHS has matured its operations such that 
these factors no longer materially delay transfer.
    Proposed Sec.  236.3(e) would apply only to the transfer of non-UAC 
minors to licensed facilities because, following passage of the TVPRA, 
DHS transfers to ORR UACs who are not able to withdraw their 
application for admission in accordance with that Act. See 8 U.S.C. 
1232(a)-(b). Therefore, the timeline of the transfer of UACs from DHS 
to HHS is governed exclusively by the TVPRA.
    Finally, under the proposed rule, as under FSA paragraph 12(c), DHS 
would continue to maintain a written plan describing the reasonable 
efforts it will take to place all minors who are not UACs as 
expeditiously as possible pursuant to FSA paragraph 12(C). (This would 
include placement in a federally-licensed FRC.) CBP and ICE have 
maintained such a plan through internal guidance for law enforcement 
operations.
Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(f)--Transfer of UACs From DHS to ORR
    The current regulations also do not address the transfer of UACs 
from DHS to ORR care and custody under the TVPRA. The FSA is also 
silent on this topic because the FSA does not distinguish between 
minors and UACs. Given the passage of the TVPRA and its specific 
requirements related to the transfer of UACs, the proposed regulations 
at section 236.3(f) track the TVPRA requirements. Specifically, the 
proposed regulations at section 236.3(f) prescribe procedures for 
transferring UACs to the care and custody of ORR within 72 hours 
(absent exceptional circumstances) of determining that an alien is a 
UAC. See section 235(b)(3) of the TVPRA, 8 U.S.C. 1232(b)(3). Section 
236.3(f) would also reflect the general requirement under section 
235(b)(2) (8 U.S.C. 1232(b)(2)) that DHS notify ORR within 48 hours 
that an apprehended individual is a UAC. While these timelines differ 
from those provided in the FSA, and differ from those applicable to 
minors who are not UACs, as described in paragraph 236.3(e), these 
timelines implement DHS's specific requirements applicable to UACs, as 
provided in the TVPRA.
    Pursuant to the FSA, UACs, like accompanied minors, must be 
transferred to a licensed program within the 3- and 5-day timeframes 
provided by Paragraph 12(A), or, in an emergency or influx, ``as 
expeditiously as possible.'' The TVPRA timeline for the transfer of 
UACs to HHS does not address the requirements of Paragraph 12(A) with 
respect to the transfer of UACs to licensed programs. However, HHS now 
has the authority to provide care and custody of UACs referred to it, 
and thus, HHS ensures that a referred UAC is placed in an appropriate 
licensed program, when required under the TVPRA and the FSA. See 8 
U.S.C. 1232(c)(2)(A) (requiring HHS to ``promptly'' place UACs ``in the 
least restrictive setting that is in the best interest of the child''). 
Accordingly, HHS has addressed this requirement in its proposed rule. 
In this rule, DHS addresses only the transfer of UACs to HHS, which is 
governed exclusively by the TVPRA.
    The current regulations do not speak to the necessary conditions 
during the transfer of UACs between DHS and HHS facilities, although 
such conditions are addressed by paragraph 25 of the FSA. Consistent 
with paragraph 25 of the FSA, the proposed regulations stipulate that 
UACs will not be transported with unrelated detained adults except upon 
initial apprehension when being transferred to a DHS facility, or if 
separate transportation is impractical or unavailable.\17\ In such 
cases, precautions will be taken to ensure the safety, security, and 
well-being of the UAC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ The FSA includes ``impractical'' but not ``unavailable.'' 
DHS considers the addition of ``or unavailable'' to be a 
clarification of the current standard, and not a substantive change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the safety and security of UACs and whenever operationally 
feasible, ICE and CBP currently make every attempt to transport and 
hold UACs separately from unrelated adults. As an example, CBP's U.S. 
Border Patrol (USBP) strives to transport UACs and unrelated adults in 
separate vehicles. However, given the various environments in which 
USBP operates, such as remote desert locations, separate transportation 
for UACs from place of apprehension to a USBP station is not always 
feasible or practical. In these cases, USBP strives to transport the 
UAC in a manner where she or he can be monitored. There are numerous

[[Page 45499]]

factors that dictate the way in which a UAC will be transported with 
unrelated adults. However, at a minimum CBP always assesses the mental 
capacity, age, and gender of the UAC to ensure that the most safe and 
secure setting is available.
Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(g)--DHS Procedures in the Apprehension and 
Processing of Minors or UACs
    Current section 236.3(g) provides that each juvenile apprehended in 
the immediate vicinity of the border who permanently resides in Mexico 
or Canada shall be informed, prior to the presentation of the voluntary 
departure form or being allowed to withdraw his or her application for 
admission, that he or she may make a telephone call to a parent, close 
relative, a friend, or organization on the free legal services list. 
The current regulation also provides that if the juvenile does not 
reside in Mexico or Canada, that juvenile must in fact communicate with 
a parent, adult relative, friend, or with an organization found on the 
free legal services list prior to presentation of the voluntary 
departure form.
    In addition, the current regulations at 8 CFR 236.3(h) provide for 
alien juveniles to be given a Form I-770 Notice of Rights and 
Disposition, which will be read and explained to the juvenile in a 
language the juvenile understands if he or she is less than 14 years of 
age. This paragraph further provides that, in the event that a juvenile 
who has requested a hearing pursuant to the Form I-770 subsequently 
decides to accept voluntary departure or is allowed to withdraw his or 
her application for admission, a new Form I-770 shall be given to, and 
signed by the juvenile.
    The former INS promulgated much of 8 CFR 236.3 to implement the 
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California's order in 
Perez-Funez v. Dist. Dir., INS, 619 F. Supp. 656 (C.D. Cal. 1985), 
which required INS to afford certain procedural safeguards to 
unaccompanied juveniles who are taken into immigration custody prior to 
permitting voluntary departure. See 53 FR 17449 (May 17, 1988).
    Paragraph 12(A) of the FSA provides that whenever the Government 
takes a minor or UAC into custody, it shall expeditiously process the 
minor or UAC and shall provide the minor or UAC with a notice of 
rights, including the right to a bond redetermination hearing, if 
applicable. Under paragraph 24(D) of the FSA, DHS promptly provides all 
non-UAC minors who are not released with a Form I-770, an explanation 
of the right of judicial review, and a list of free legal services. The 
proposed rule's section 236.3(g) would retain the provisions related to 
the presentation of the Form I-770, explanation of the right of 
judicial review, and the list of free legal services, as set out in 
current regulations and the FSA.
    The proposed regulations at 8 CFR 236.3(g)(1) would change the 
regulatory text to reflect current operations, but also preserve the 
intent of these regulations and FSA paragraphs 12(A) and 24(D), and 
would continue to comply with Perez-Funez. Specifically, proposed Sec.  
236.3(g)(1)(i) would update the requirements related to the Form I-770 
to reflect Paragraph 12(A) and current operational realities. It also 
would make minor clarifications to the current regulatory language by 
adding that the Form I-770 can be provided in a language ``and manner'' 
the minor or UAC understands. FSA Paragraph 12(A) requires that all 
minors in DHS custody, even those who request to withdraw their 
application for admission or request voluntary departure (which 
includes voluntary departure, as described at 8 CFR 240.25(a), 
sometimes referred to as a ``voluntary return''), will be provided with 
a notice of rights.
    Pursuant to the requirements of the current regulations and FSA 
Paragraph 12(A), CBP currently provides an I-770 to each minor or UAC 
during processing. If, after processing, CBP determines that a minor or 
UAC who was processed for a voluntary departure or a withdrawal of his 
or her application for admission is no longer amenable to such a 
disposition because, for instance, the minor or UAC is no longer 
eligible for voluntary departure, CBP will re-process the minor or UAC 
for a more appropriate disposition, such as the issuance of a Notice to 
Appear before an immigration judge. When the minor or UAC is 
reprocessed, the minor or UAC is issued a new I-770, or the original 
one is updated accordingly. By issuing a new I-770, or updating the 
original one, CBP ensures that, in situations in which it is 
appropriate to change a minor or UAC's immigration disposition, the 
minor or UAC continues to remain aware of his or her rights. In 
addition, CBP generally provides a minor or UAC who is being processed 
for a Notice to Appear with the list of free legal service providers.
    Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(g) would provide that minors or UACs who enter 
DHS custody will be provided an I-770 that will include a statement 
that the minor or UAC may make a telephone call to a parent, close 
relative, or friend. The proposed rule would specifically address the 
list of free legal service providers at proposed Sec.  
236.3(g)(1)(iii), which would apply to every minor who is not a UAC who 
is transferred to or remains in a DHS detention facility.
    In addition, pursuant to the TVPRA, DHS currently screens all UACs 
from contiguous countries to determine whether such a UAC may be 
permitted to withdraw his or her application for admission. As part of 
this screening, the UAC is provided with an I-770 Notice of Rights. 
UACs from non-contiguous countries are not permitted to withdraw their 
application for admission, but are similarly provided with the I-770 
Notice of Rights. These TVPRA requirements similarly ensure that the 
due process concerns identified by the court in Perez-Funez are 
adequately addressed.
    Proposed Sec.  236.3(g)(1)(i) also does not include the requirement 
in current section 8 CFR 236.3(g) that a juvenile who does not reside 
in Mexico or Canada must in fact communicate with a parent, adult 
relative, friend, or with an organization found on the free legal 
services list prior to presentation of the voluntary departure form. 
However, the passage of the TVPRA has made this requirement no longer 
necessary. Specifically, pursuant to the TVRPA, only UACs who reside 
permanently in Mexico or Canada are permitted to withdraw their 
application for admission. 8 U.S.C. 1232(a)(2). Additionally, any minor 
who is not a UAC, but who is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian 
who is permitted to voluntarily depart the United States or withdraw 
his or her application for admission as a member of a family unit 
would, in general, be undertaking such action along with his or her 
accompanying parent or legal guardian. Therefore, the minor would, by 
default, have an opportunity to communicate with his or her parent or 
legal guardian at that time.
    Proposed Sec.  236.3(g)(1)(i) relates only to situations in which 
DHS processes a minor or UAC. Thus, it does not address situations in 
which a minor or UAC is in immigration proceedings before an 
immigration judge. For example, this regulation does not address a 
situation in which a minor or UAC has been granted voluntary departure 
by an immigration judge, but then subsequently requests to proceed to a 
hearing. In such a situation, DHS envisions that, consistent with 
current practice, the immigration judge would provide the minor or UAC 
with an appropriate advisal of rights.
    Similarly, proposed Sec. Sec.  236.3(g)(1)(ii) and (g)(1)(iii) 
would reflect the requirements in Paragraph 24(D) of the FSA related to 
the provision of the notice of judicial review and the notice

[[Page 45500]]

of free legal service providers. Specifically, proposed Sec.  
236.3(g)(1)(ii) would provide that every minor who is not a UAC who 
remains in or is transferred to a DHS detention facility will be 
provided with the Notice of Right to Seek Judicial Review, as is 
provided in FSA Paragraph 24(D) and Exhibit 6. Similarly, proposed 
Sec.  236.3(g)(1)(iii) would provide that such minors will be provided 
with the list of free legal service providers, as provided in FSA 
Paragraph 24(D).
    Proposed Sec.  236.3(g)(2) discusses DHS's custodial care of a 
minor or UAC immediately following apprehension. Therefore, this 
paragraph applies, in general, to the time that a minor or UAC remains 
in a CBP facility prior to being transferred to ICE or to HHS. This 
paragraph parallels the requirements of FSA paragraphs 11 and 12(A). 
For instance, paragraph (g)(2), like the FSA, would require that minors 
and UACs shall be held in the least restrictive setting appropriate to 
the minor or UAC's age and special needs, provided that such setting is 
consistent with the need to protect the minor or UAC's well-being and 
that of others, as well as with any other laws, regulations, or legal 
requirements. The proposed rule would also include a cross-reference to 
DHS's regulations at 6 CFR 115.114, dealing specifically with sexual 
abuse and assault prevention for juvenile and family detainees in DHS's 
short-term holding facilities.
    Proposed paragraph (g)(2), like the FSA, would require that minors 
and UACs be housed in facilities that are safe and sanitary, and that 
the facilities provide access to toilets and sinks, drinking water and 
food as appropriate, access to emergency medical assistance as needed, 
and adequate temperature and ventilation.
    Consistent with FSA paragraphs 11 and 12(A), proposed paragraph 
(g)(2)(i) provides for contact between a minor or UAC and family 
members arrested with the minor or UAC. Following arrest of a minor or 
UAC and accompanying family members, CBP transports all individuals to 
a CBP facility for processing. During the time that the family group 
spends at the facility, CBP provides contact between the minor or UAC 
and all accompanying family members, absent concerns about the safety 
of the minor or UAC. This paragraph, therefore, addresses only the 
issue of contact between family members while they remain in CBP 
custody. The proposed rule is more detailed than FSA paragraph 12(A), 
insofar as it states, consistent with FSA paragraph 11, that the safety 
and well-being of the minor or UAC and operational feasibility are 
relevant considerations when allowing such contact. This is consistent 
with FSA paragraph 11, which requires that the setting of a juvenile's 
detention or holding be consistent with a range of factors, including 
the need to protect the juvenile's well-being or that of others. It is 
also consistent with DHS's regulations on the prevention of sexual 
abuse and assault in its facilities. See 6 CFR 115.14, 115.114.
    DHS's use of the term ``operationally feasible'' in this paragraph 
does not mean ``possible,'' but is intended to indicate that there may 
be limited short-term circumstances in which, while a minor or UAC 
remains together with family members in the same CBP facility, 
providing such contact would place an undue burden on agency 
operations. For instance, if a family member arrested with a minor or 
UAC requires short-term, immediate medical attention, CBP may be 
required to temporarily limit contact between that family member and 
the minor or UAC, in order to provide appropriate medical treatment. 
Or, CBP may have a legitimate law enforcement reason to temporarily 
limit contact between a minor or UAC and accompanying family members, 
such as when CBP decides it is in the minor or UAC's best interest to 
interview all family members separately. However, CBP will provide 
contact with family members arrested with the minor or UAC, and/or will 
hold accompanied minors in the same hold rooms as their accompanying 
family members, if doing so is consistent with the minor or UAC's 
safety and well-being and does not place an undue burden on agency 
operations.
    Similarly, the proposed regulations would contain the same limit as 
the FSA on the amount of time UACs can be housed with an unrelated 
adult (no more than 24 hours), but the proposed regulations would 
explicitly allow DHS to depart from this standard in emergencies or 
other exigent circumstances, to the extent consistent with 6 CFR 
115.14(b) and 115.114(b). For example, it may be necessary to house 
UACs with unrelated adults for more than 24 hours during a weather-
related disaster such as hurricanes in southern Texas, or if an 
outbreak of a communicable disease such as scabies or chicken pox at a 
facility requires the temporary commingling of the detainee population. 
Appropriate consideration is given to age, mental condition, physical 
condition, and other factors when placing UACs into space with 
unrelated adults.
    Where a juvenile is apprehended with his or her parent or legal 
guardian, the current regulations indicate that such parent or legal 
guardian may swear out an affidavit designating a person to whom the 
juvenile may be released. 8 CFR 236.3(b)(3). Since the passage of the 
TVPRA, however, DHS no longer has the authority to release a juvenile 
to someone who is not a parent or legal guardian, so this provision 
must be amended.\18\ If a parent or legal guardian is unavailable to 
provide care and physical custody for an alien under the age of 18, and 
the alien has no lawful status in the United States, the alien meets 
the definition of a UAC. 6 U.S.C. 279(g). Under section 235(b)(3) of 
the TVPRA (8 U.S.C. 1232(b)(3)), DHS must transfer UACs to HHS custody 
within 72 hours of determining that a juvenile is a UAC, absent 
exceptional circumstances. Thus, a parent or legal guardian must be 
available for a minor without lawful status in DHS custody for DHS to 
release that minor. The proposed rule would therefore remove the 
current regulatory language at 8 CFR 236.3(b)(3) authorizing a parent 
or legal guardian to swear an affidavit authorizing the release of the 
minor to anyone who is not also a parent or legal guardian.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ Pursuant to the requirements of the HSA and TVPRA, only HHS 
has the authority to release a minor to a non-parent or legal 
guardian, through the process of finding a sponsor for a UAC. See 8 
U.S.C. 1232.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(h)--Detention of Family Units
    DHS's policy, consistent with E.O. 13841, is to maintain family 
unity, including by detaining families together where appropriate and 
consistent with law and available resources. The current regulations, 
however, do not address the detention of non-UAC minors together with 
their parents or legal guardians as ``family units'' while in the 
custody of DHS. Similarly, while the FSA considers that juveniles may 
be initially held with related family members, the FSA does not address 
whether the Government may continue to hold minors together with their 
parents or legal guardians after transfer to a ``licensed program.'' 
The proposed regulations in the new section 236.3(h) would set out 
requirements that must be met for a family to be detained together in 
an FRC. Per the definitions in proposed paragraph (b), and in 
accordance with the TVPRA, only minors, not UACs, would be held in DHS 
custody at an FRC.
    The intention of this proposed paragraph is to clarify that DHS 
may, pursuant to its existing legal authorities, see, e.g., INA sec. 
235(b), (b)(1)(B), (b)(1)(B)(iii)(I); 236; 241(a), detain

[[Page 45501]]

members of a family unit together. Nothing in this proposed rule 
impacts DHS's existing detention authority. Because the current 
regulations do not address detaining non-UAC minors together with their 
parents or legal guardians as family units, the current regulations 
also do not explicitly consider what may happen when DHS continues to 
detain a parent or legal guardian, but could otherwise release a non-
UAC minor. Current immigration law describes several situations in 
which an individual alien may not be released from detention, 
regardless of whether that alien is part of a family unit. See, e.g., 
INA sec. 235(b), (b)(1)(B), (b)(1)(B)(iii)(IV); 241(a).
    If the parent or legal guardian of a family unit is subject to 
mandatory detention, but the non-UAC minor of the family unit is 
otherwise eligible for release, DHS must continue to detain the parent 
or legal guardian, consistent with applicable law and policy.
Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(i)--Detention of Minors Who Are Not UACs in DHS 
Custody
    The current regulations contain one short paragraph about juvenile 
detention, stating that DHS may detain a juvenile if such detention is 
``necessary, for such interim period of time as is required to locate 
suitable placement for the juvenile'' either with a parent, legal 
guardian, adult relative, or other suitable custodian or custodial 
facility. 8 CFR 236.3(d). As explained several times throughout this 
preamble, the FSA contains significant detail about requirements for 
DHS to detain juveniles, including a list of requirements for 
conditions of detention in the FSA's Exhibit 1. The proposed 
regulations at section 236.3(i) would completely replace the current 
regulations at section 236.3(d) with respect to the detention of minors 
who are not UACs.
    The current regulations require that juveniles who are detained by 
DHS be housed in detention facilities that have separate accommodations 
for juveniles. See 8 CFR 236.3(d). In addition, 6 CFR 115.14, first 
promulgated in 2014, provides that minors are detained in the least 
restrictive setting appropriate for the minor's age and needs. That 
regulation tracks FSA paragraph 11. Accordingly, this proposed rule 
would cross-reference that regulation and expand on it. Additionally, 
the proposed regulations would make clear that minors are placed 
temporarily in a licensed facility, as defined in paragraph (b) of 
proposed Sec.  236.3, until release can be effectuated as described in 
proposed Sec.  236.3(j).
    The proposed regulations at Sec.  236.3(i)(1) would provide, like 
paragraph 21 of the FSA, that minors who are not UACs must be 
transferred to state or county juvenile detention facilities, a secure 
DHS detention facility, or a DHS-contracted facility having separate 
accommodations for minors if they meet certain criteria. A non-UAC 
minor may be placed in one of these facilities because the minor is 
charged with, is chargeable with, or convicted of a crime or has been 
charged with, is chargeable with, is the subject to delinquency 
proceedings or has been adjudicated as delinquent. There is an 
exception for petty offenses, and another exception for when the 
offense is isolated, not within a pattern or practice of criminal 
activity, does not involve violence against a person, and does not 
involve the use or carrying of a weapon. DHS has retained these 
exceptions in the proposed rule, but has reworded them in the 
affirmative for clarity. Rather than explain when DHS would not use 
secure detention (such as the exception to secure detention for petty 
offenses in paragraph 21(A)(ii) of the FSA), the proposed rule would 
more clearly explain when DHS would use secure detention. As a 
consequence of these changes, there may be some isolated, non-violent 
offenses that, although not ``petty'' as defined in paragraph 21(A)(ii) 
of the FSA, are insufficient cause to place a minor in secure 
detention. These clarifications are consistent with DHS's current 
practice, and are consistent with the intent underlying FSA paragraph 
21.
    Also included in the FSA's list of reasons to house a minor in a 
secure facility are committing, or making credible threats to commit, a 
violent or malicious act while in custody or while in the presence of 
an immigration officer; engaging, while in a licensed facility, in 
certain conduct that is unacceptably disruptive of the normal 
functioning of the licensed facility; being an escape risk; or for the 
minor's own security. DHS chose not to include in the proposed 
regulatory text the specific examples of behavior or offenses that 
could result in the secure detention of a minor, as they appear in FSA 
paragraph 21, because the examples are non-exhaustive and imprecise. 
For instance, examples listed in paragraph 21 of what may be considered 
nonviolent, isolated offenses (e.g., breaking and entering, vandalism, 
or driving under the influence) may be classified as violent offenses 
in some states. Including these examples as part of codified regulatory 
text may inadvertently lead to more confusion than clarity.
    Under proposed Sec.  236.3(i)(2), consistent with FSA paragraph 23, 
DHS would place a minor in a less restrictive alternative if such an 
alternative is available and appropriate in the circumstances, even if 
the provisions of section 236.3(i)(1) apply. Finally, as provided under 
paragraph 6 of the FSA, proposed Sec.  236.3(i)(3) would provide that, 
unless a secure facility is appropriate pursuant to proposed Sec.  
236.3(i)(1) and (2), DHS facilities used for the detention of minors 
would be non-secure facilities. This proposed paragraph, like FSA 
paragraph 32(C), provides that agreements for the placement of minors 
in non-INS facilities shall permit attorney-client visits. Proposed 
Sec.  236.3(i)(2) explains that the secure facilities used by DHS to 
detain non-UAC minors will also permit attorney-client visits pursuant 
to applicable facility rules and regulations.
    Proposed Sec.  236.3(i)(3) sets forth concepts also articulated in 
FSA paragraphs 12, 14, and 19, that unless a detention in a secure 
facility is otherwise required, facilities used for the detention of 
minors shall be non-secure.
    Proposed Sec.  236.3(i)(4) would set out the standards for 
``licensed programs,'' as in paragraphs 6 and 19 of the FSA. While the 
proposed rule would not define ``licensed program,'' DHS proposes that 
all non-secure facilities used for the detention of non-UAC minors 
would abide by these standards. These standards mirror the requirements 
of Exhibit 1 of the FSA and the current ICE Family Residential 
Standards. In addition, the standards in proposed paragraph (i)(4) 
would serve as a baseline of what would be required of a facility 
audited by a third-party when licensing by the state, county, or 
municipality is otherwise unavailable, pursuant to proposed paragraph 
(b)(9) of this section. At a minimum, these standards must include, but 
are not limited to, proper physical care, including living 
accommodations, food, clothing, routine medical and dental care, family 
planning services, emergency care (including a screening for infectious 
disease) within 48 hours of admission, a needs assessment including 
both educational and special needs assessments, educational services 
including instruction in the English language, appropriate foreign 
language reading materials for leisure time reading, recreation and 
leisure time activities, mental health services, group counseling, 
orientation including legal assistance that is available, access to 
religious services of the minor's choice,

[[Page 45502]]

visitation and contact with family members, a reasonable right to 
privacy of the minor, and legal and family reunification services. 
Finally, these standards, like FSA paragraph 32(C), require that 
agreements for placement of minors in non-INS facilities shall permit 
attorney-client visits. Proposed paragraph 236.3(i)(4) makes clear that 
DHS permits attorney-client visits pursuant to applicable facility 
rules and regulations in all licensed, non-secure facilities in which 
DHS places non-UAC minors.
    Related to the requirements placed on facilities used for the 
detention of minors, but not included in the Exhibit 1 standards, is 
the requirement found at FSA paragraph 19. FSA paragraph 19 permits 
``licensed programs'' to transfer temporary physical custody of minors 
prior to securing permission from the Government in the event of an 
emergency, provided that they notify the Government as soon as 
practicable, but in all cases within 8 hours. Proposed paragraph 
236.3(i)(5) does the same, although applies it to ``licensed, non-
secure facilities,'' instead of ``licensed programs,'' for reasons 
explained above.
Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(j)--Release of Minors From DHS Custody
    The current regulations at Sec.  236.3(b) address the release of 
juveniles when a determination is made that such juveniles may be 
released on bond, parole, or on their own recognizance. Provided 
detention of a juvenile is not required to secure the juvenile's 
appearance before DHS or the immigration court, and is not necessary to 
ensure the juvenile's safety or that of others, the current regulations 
allow a juvenile to be released to a parent, legal guardian, or an 
adult relative who is not currently in immigration detention. Current 
paragraph (b) goes on to state that if the parent, legal guardian, or 
relative is located at a place far from the current location of the 
juvenile, the relative can secure the release of the juvenile at the 
closest DHS office to that relative. The issue of transportation of the 
juvenile to the relative once release is secured is not discussed in 
the current regulation.
    FSA paragraph 14 requires DHS to release a minor without 
unnecessary delay when DHS determines that the detention of the minor 
is not required either to secure timely appearance before DHS or an 
immigration judge, or to ensure the minor's safety or that of others. 
FSA paragraph 14 also provides a list of custodians to whom a minor may 
be released: A parent; legal guardian; adult relative (brother, sister, 
aunt, uncle, or grandparent); an adult individual or entity designated 
by the parent or legal guardian as capable and willing to care for the 
minor's well-being; a licensed program; or an adult individual or 
entity seeking custody when it appears that no other likely alternative 
to long term detention is available and family reunification is not a 
reasonable possibility. FSA paragraph 26 states that the Government 
shall assist in making transportation arrangements to the office 
nearest the location of the person or facility to whom a minor is to be 
released pursuant to paragraph 14. Despite the language of the current 
regulations and the FSA, pursuant to the TVPRA and the HSA, DHS does 
not have the authority to release a minor to anyone other than HHS or a 
parent or legal guardian. Therefore, in order to comply with both 
paragraph 14 and the TVPRA, DHS may be required, in some situations, to 
transfer a child to HHS when it is necessary to continue to detain a 
parent or legal guardian. DHS typically has discretion under existing 
authorities to simultaneously parole the child and the parent or legal 
guardian, which would remain unchanged.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ This rule would delete a reference to such discretion at 
current 8 CFR 236.3(b)(2), but such reference is unnecessary to 
ensure DHS discretion to effect simultaneous release. For instance, 
in the expedited removal context, DHS may parole the parent or legal 
guardian pursuant to the standards at 8 CFR part 235. And other 
parole standards are contained at 8 CFR 212.5. There are also other 
tools available to effect simultaneous release, such as bond.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed regulation at Sec.  236.3(j) would amend the approach 
laid out in current Sec.  236.3(b), and make it consistent with the 
requirements of the TVPRA and the HSA (enacted after the regulation was 
originally promulgated), and executive orders, as well as with the 
current operational environment, which has also changed since the 
provision's original promulgation. With the exception of removing the 
list of individuals to whom a minor may be released, as described 
above, the rule largely incorporates the text of paragraph 14. However, 
the proposed rule would align the FSA paragraph 14 standards with 
existing statutes and regulations, and thus permit DHS to exercise its 
existing discretionary authorities governing release.
    Aliens, including minors in family units, who are subject to 
expedited removal and who have not been found to have a credible fear 
or are still pending a credible fear determination are subject to 
mandatory detention. 8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(1)(B)(iii)(IV). DHS, however, 
retains the discretion to release such aliens on parole, based on a 
case-by-case determination that parole is for an ``urgent humanitarian 
need or significant public benefit.'' Id. 1182(d)(5)(A). Pursuant to 
the regulations, aliens who are in expedited removal proceedings and 
are pending a credible fear determination or who have been found not to 
have such fear, release on parole can only satisfy this standard when 
there is a medical necessity or a law enforcement need. 8 CFR 
235.3(b)(4)(ii), (b)(2)(iii). Nothing indicates that, by entering into 
the FSA, the Government intended to subvert the intent of Congress with 
regard to the detention of minors in family units, allowing for their 
release into the United States simply based on consideration of those 
factors listed in paragraph 14 of the FSA.\20\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ The U.S. District Court for the Central District of 
California has rejected this argument, but in doing so, it did not 
consider the regulatory provisions at 8 CFR 235.3. Flores v. 
Sessions, No. 2:85-cv-04544, at 25 n.18 (C.D. Cal. June 27, 2017). 
That decision requires that ICE must ignore Congress's plain intent 
with regard to the availability of parole for aliens in expedited 
removal proceedings and in some instances must consider parole for 
individuals subject to final orders of removal. The appeal from this 
decision is currently pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for 
the Ninth Circuit. See Flores v. Sessions, No. 17-56297 (9th Cir.) 
(docketed Aug. 28, 2017).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The intended effect of the draft rule is to change current practice 
and the text of FSA paragraph 14 to affirm that parole is within the 
discretion of DHS as intended by statute. For example, minors in 
expedited removal will be subject to the heightened standard in the 8 
CFR 235.3(b). As indicated above, DHS is proposing to remove the 
reference to 8 CFR 235.3(b) in section 212.5(b) to make clear that the 
parole standard that applies to those in expedited removal is found in 
section 235.3 and not 212.5. Moreover, DHS will not make universal 
parole determinations for all minors placed into FRCs.
    For individuals not in expedited removal proceedings, parole is 
available subject to the generally applicable parole regulation. See 8 
CFR 212.5(b); see also 62 FR 10312, 10320 (1997). For those aliens in 
expedited removal who are found to have a credible fear and referred 
for proceeding under section 240 of the INA, parole, bond, or release 
on recognizance or other conditions are available, depending on the 
particular circumstances of the alien's entry.
    Aliens who are eligible for release on bond, or release on their 
own recognizance or other conditions, the availability of such release 
depends on whether the alien can establish he or she is not a flight 
risk or a danger to the community. Matter of Patel, 15 I&N Dec.

[[Page 45503]]

666 (BIA 1976). Paragraph 14 similarly states that DHS makes a 
determination that detention of a minor is not ``required to secure his 
or her timely appearance before the INS or the immigration court, or to 
ensure the minor's safety or that of others.'' FSA paragraph 14. Both 
the FSA and custody standards applicable to aliens eligible for release 
on bond or on recognizance have a preference for release if an alien 
makes the requisite showing that they are not a flight risk or a danger 
to the community. Id.; see also Matter of Patel. 15 I&N Dec at 666. 
(``An alien generally is not and should not be detained or required to 
post bond except on a finding that he is a threat to the national 
security, or that he is a poor bail risk.''). This is the same standard 
used under paragraph 14 of the FSA; thus the text in proposed paragraph 
(j) would not reflect a substantive change in the initial custody 
determinations made by DHS for those minors eligible for such 
determinations.
    Once it is determined that the applicable statutes and regulations 
permit release, proposed Sec.  236.3(j) would permit release of a minor 
only to a parent or legal guardian who is available to provide care and 
custody, in accordance with the TVPRA, using the same factors for 
determining whether release is appropriate as are contained in 
paragraph 14. Included in the relevant factors would typically be 
consideration of whether detention is ``required either to secure his 
or her timely appearance before [DHS] or the immigration court, or to 
ensure the minor's safety or that of others.'' DHS also considers 
family unity when evaluating whether release of a minor is appropriate. 
This approach is consistent with the President's June 20, 2018, 
Executive Order 13841, ``Affording Congress an Opportunity to Address 
Family Separation,'' which identifies a policy of ``maintain[ing] 
family unity, including by detaining alien families together where 
appropriate and consistent with law and available resources.'' \21\ 
Moreover, in most cases, the parent is in the best position to 
represent the minor's rights and wishes and can help the minor to 
prepare his or her case. It is also more expedient for the family, if 
the cases are interrelated, to have a single proceeding adjudicated in 
the same location, by the same adjudicator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ E.O. 13841 (June 20, 2018), 83 FR 29435.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    When determining whether an individual is a parent or legal 
guardian, DHS would use all available evidence, such as birth 
certificates or other available documentation, to ensure the parental 
relationship or legal guardianship is bona fide. If the relationship 
cannot be established, the juvenile would be treated as a UAC and would 
be transferred into HHS custody. If the relationship is established, 
but the parent or legal guardian lives far away, the proposed 
regulations use the FSA paragraph 26 language, stating that DHS shall 
assist with making arrangements for transportation and maintains the 
discretion to actually provide transportation to the DHS office nearest 
the parent or legal guardian.
    Finally, the proposed rule would not include provisions parallel to 
the requirements in paragraphs 15 or 16 related to release from 
custody. These requirements have been superseded in part by the TVPRA, 
under which DHS cannot release a juvenile to anyone other than a parent 
or legal guardian. Further, parents have no affirmative right of 
release under the provisions of the FSA. Therefore, if DHS determines 
that the accompanying parent should be detained, releasing a minor 
under these circumstances would be either a release to a parent who is 
not currently in detention, or, in all other cases, a transfer to HHS 
custody, rather than a release from custody as envisioned under the 
FSA. In addition, the requirements of paragraphs 15 and 16, which are 
primarily for the Government's benefit, are not currently implemented.
Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(k)--Procedures Upon Transfer
    Current 8 CFR 236.3 does not set out any procedures to specifically 
govern the transfer of minors. FSA paragraph 27 provides that a minor 
who is transferred from a placement in one ``licensed program'' to 
another shall be transferred with his/her possessions and legal papers, 
unless the possessions exceed the amount permitted by carriers, in 
which case the possessions will be shipped to the minor in a timely 
manner. The proposed regulations at Sec.  236.3(k) include the same 
requirement for the transfer of possessions when a minor who is not a 
UAC is transferred between licensed, non-secure facilities. While DHS 
understands paragraph 27 of the FSA to, in practice, refer to transfer 
between ICE facilities (the only DHS facilities that qualify as 
``placements'' in ``licensed programs,'' under the meaning of the FSA), 
minors are generally transferred with their possessions if they are 
moving between CBP facilities, or from a CBP facility to an ICE 
facility.
    Paragraph 27 of the FSA also provides that no minor represented by 
counsel shall be transferred without advance notice to such counsel 
except in unusual and compelling circumstances. The proposed 
regulations also provide that if a minor or UAC is represented by 
counsel, notice to counsel will be provided prior to any transfer of a 
minor or UAC from one ICE placement to another, or from an ICE 
placement to an ORR placement, unless unusual and compelling reasons, 
such as safety or escape-risk, exist, in which case counsel will 
receive notification within 24 hours of transfer.
Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(l)--Notice to Parent of Refusal of Release or 
Application for Relief
    The current regulations provide that if a parent of a detained 
juvenile can be located, and is otherwise suitable to receive custody 
of the juvenile, and the juvenile indicates a refusal to be released to 
his or her parent, the parent(s) shall be notified of the juvenile's 
refusal to be released to the parent(s), and the parent(s) shall be 
afforded the opportunity to present their views before a custody 
determination is made (Sec.  236.3(e)). Similarly, the current 
regulations provide that if a juvenile seeks release from detention, 
voluntary departure, parole, or any form of relief from removal, where 
it appears that the grant of such relief may effectively terminate some 
interest inherent in the parent-child relationship and/or the 
juvenile's rights and interests are adverse to those of the parent, and 
the parent is presently residing in the United States, the parent shall 
be given notice of the juvenile's application for relief, and shall be 
afforded an opportunity to present his or her views and assert his or 
her interest before a determination is made as to the merits of the 
request for relief (Sec.  236.3(f)). In both instances, the parents are 
given an opportunity to present their views to the district director, 
Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs, or an immigration judge.
    The FSA does not discuss any necessary notification to parents of a 
juvenile's refusal to be released to a parent or a juvenile's 
application for relief from removal. DHS has reviewed the current 
regulatory provision and is proposing amendments to this paragraph to 
maintain the goals of this type of notification while reflecting the 
current distribution of responsibilities vis-[agrave]-vis juveniles 
between DHS components and DOJ EOIR. The language of the current and 
proposed regulation appropriately protects parental rights while 
balancing a juvenile's potential desire to take an action adverse to 
the wishes of his/her parent.

[[Page 45504]]

    Given the current legal environment and operational practices, ICE 
and CBP would seldom, if ever, be responsible for providing any type of 
parental notification as required by 236.3(e) or (f). For instance, if 
a minor seeks release from ICE detention, ICE would only be required to 
notify that minor's parent if the parent is presently residing in the 
United States and the minor's release would terminate some interest 
inherent in the parent-child relationship. Yet even in this scenario, 
because DHS cannot release a minor to anyone other than a parent or 
legal guardian as discussed above, it seems unlikely that such release 
would ``terminate some interest inherent in the parent-child 
relationship'' as described in current Sec.  236.3(f). In practice, 
USCIS and EOIR are the entities most likely to be required to provide 
parental notification due to a potential termination of an interest 
inherent in the parent-child relationship, because USCIS adjudicators 
and EOIR immigration judges more frequently grant relief from removal 
that could impact a parent-child relationship. The proposed DHS 
regulations at 236.3(l) would remove language authorizing parents to 
present their views to immigration judges if their child refuses to be 
released into their custody, because currently immigration judges do 
not set conditions of release, and therefore do not decide to whom a 
minor or UAC will be released. However, the change does not prevent 
parents from presenting their views to DHS. Refusal of release is 
primarily an issue that affects DHS and HHS, rather than DOJ. In 
addition, certain types of requests listed in proposed 236.3(l) (i.e., 
parole) would be addressed to DHS alone, and an immigration judge would 
not have jurisdiction over such requests.
    The proposed changes to current sections 236(e) and (f) (in 
proposed Sec.  236.3(l)) would clarify the actual scope of DHS's 
regulations, but would not represent a change in practice. The proposed 
rule would maintain parents' right to be notified and present their 
views to DHS (but not an immigration judge) if a minor or UAC in DHS 
custody refuses to be released to that parent, if a grant of relief 
might terminate some parent-child relationship interests, or where the 
child's interests are adverse to those of the parent.
    In addition, the proposed rule would not affect the EOIR notice 
requirement currently contained at 8 CFR 1236.3(f) for applications for 
relief.
Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(m)--Bond Hearings
    The current regulations make no provision for bond hearings by 
immigration judges for minors as FSA paragraph 24(A) has been 
interpreted to require. Paragraph 24(A), states that a minor in 
``deportation proceedings'' shall be afforded a bond redetermination 
unless he or she refuses such a determination. The proposed regulations 
at Sec.  236.3(m) provide for review of DHS bond determinations by 
immigration judges to the extent permitted by 8 CFR 1003.19, but only 
for those minors: (1) Who are in removal proceedings under INA section 
240, 8 U.S.C. 1229a; and (2) who are in DHS custody. Those minors who 
are not in section 240 proceedings are ineligible to seek review by an 
immigration judge of their DHS custody determination.
    DHS proposes this paragraph to provide for bond hearings as under 
FSA paragraph 24(A), while updating the language to be consistent with 
developments in immigration law since the FSA was signed, including the 
TVPRA. FSA paragraph 24(A) refers to minors in ``deportation 
proceedings.'' The term ``deportation proceedings,'' however, is no 
longer used in immigration law due to the enactment of IIRIRA in 1996. 
Prior to IIRIRA's enactment, the INS conducted two types of proceedings 
for aliens: ``exclusion'' proceedings and ``deportation'' proceedings. 
Section 304 of IIRIRA, however, changed the types of proceedings 
available to aliens under the INA, and what were previously known as 
``deportation'' proceedings became ``removal'' proceedings. See INA 
sec. 240, 8 U.S.C. 1229a. IIRIRA also amended INA section 235 to 
provide for expedited removal proceedings for certain applicants for 
admission who would have previously been subject to ``exclusion'' 
proceedings. See INA sec. 235(b), 8 U.S.C. 1225(b). Thus, DHS has 
proposed to update this language. Additionally, the proposed rule would 
clarify that this provision applies only to minors in DHS custody, in 
accordance with the TVPRA.
Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(n)--Retaking Custody of a Previously Released 
Minor
    The current regulations have no provisions for reassuming custody 
of previously released minors if they become an escape-risk, become a 
danger to the community, or are issued a final order of removal after 
being released. The proposed regulations at Sec.  236.3(n) would 
provide for this scenario. The regulations also explain that DHS may 
take a minor into custody if there is no longer a parent or legal 
guardian available to care for the minor, at which point the minor will 
be treated as a UAC and DHS will transfer him or her to HHS.
Proposed 8 CFR 236.3(o)--Monitoring
    The current regulations at Sec.  236.3(c) describe the duties of 
the Juvenile Coordinator, including the responsibility of locating 
suitable placements for juveniles. Paragraph 28(A) of the FSA also 
includes a provision for a Juvenile Coordinator, but places more 
reporting and monitoring obligations on the Coordinator than currently 
exist in the regulations. The proposed regulations eliminate the 
requirement in the current regulations that the Juvenile Coordinator 
locate a suitable placement for minors, as these duties are generally 
exercised by immigration officers and other employees at DHS. Section 
236.3(o), however, is being proposed to provide for monitoring, as 
under paragraph 28(A) of the FSA, by proposing two Juvenile 
Coordinators--one for ICE and one for CBP--and charges each with 
monitoring statistics about UACs and minors who remain in DHS custody 
for longer than 72 hours. The statistical information may include, but 
would not be limited to, biographical information, dates of custody, 
placement, transfers, removals, or releases from custody. This 
information does not include immigration status or hearing dates, as 
referenced in FSA paragraph 28(A), because the import of this data for 
monitoring purposes is not immediately apparent. The plain language 
meaning of ``immigration status'' of particular aliens in DHS custody 
is not relevant to monitoring compliance with detention or holding 
condition requirements. It is only relevant to whether DHS is able to 
detain an individual. It is unclear what other meaning of the term 
``immigration status'' could be relevant to monitoring compliance with 
these regulations. The hearing dates for aliens in DHS custody, which 
are not set by DHS and are frequently subject to change, are also not 
directly relevant to the monitoring of the conditions of detention for 
a minor alien. The juvenile coordinators may collect such data, if 
appropriate. The juvenile coordinators may also review additional data 
points should they deem it appropriate given operational changes and 
other considerations.

[[Page 45505]]

B. HHS Regulations

Proposed 45 CFR Part 410, Subpart A--Care and Placement of 
Unaccompanied Alien Children
    This subpart states the purpose of this regulation and the general 
principles behind it, and sets standards for the care and placement of 
UACs as discussed below. ORR uses the term ``placement'' to refer to 
assigning UACs to facilities that ORR operates or arranges through a 
grant or contract, or assigning them to ORR-funded foster care. ORR 
uses the term ``release'' to refer to the release of UACs from ORR 
custody into the custody of an approved sponsor.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.100--Scope of This Part
    Section 410.100 discusses what is covered under this part. 
Specifically, it states that this part covers the care, custody, and 
placement of UACs pursuant to section 462 of the HSA and section 235 of 
the TVPRA, and in light of the FSA. The proposed rule would make clear 
that the purpose of this rule is not to govern or describe the entire 
program, nor is it to implement either the HSA or the TVPRA in their 
entirety. Rather, the purpose of this rule is to implement the relevant 
and substantive terms of the FSA, and this rulemaking will apply 
provisions of the HSA and TVPRA only where such authorities would 
supersede or alter an FSA provision.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.101--Definitions
    Section 410.101 states the definitions that apply to this part. 
Notably, the definition of UAC is from the HSA. See 6 U.S.C. 279(g)(2); 
8 U.S.C. 1232(g). The regulation uses the term ``staff secure 
facility'' in the same sense as the FSA uses the term ``medium security 
facility.'' ``Shelter'' includes facilities defined as ``licensed 
facilities'' under the FSA, and also includes staff secure facilities, 
i.e., medium security facilities as defined by the FSA. Other types of 
shelters might also be licensed, such as long term and transitional 
foster care facilities. The FSA does not define ``secure facility,'' 
but this regulation proposes a definition consistent with the 
provisions of the FSA applying to secure facilities. These facilities 
may be a state or county juvenile detention facility or another form of 
secure ORR detention facility (such as a Residential Treatment Center), 
or a facility with an ORR contract or cooperative agreement having 
separate accommodations for minors. The definition uses the term 
``cooperative agreement,'' as ORR uses cooperative agreements for the 
majority of its shelters, pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1232(i). The definition 
recognizes that under the FSA, a secure facility does not need to meet 
the licensed facility provisions that would apply to other shelters.
    Section 410.101 defines unaccompanied alien child according to the 
definition set forth in the HSA. It, as well as the TVPRA, only gives 
ORR authority to provide care and custody of individuals who meet that 
definition. The statutes, however, do not set forth a process for 
determining whether an individual meets the definition of a UAC. 
Similar to proposed 8 CFR 236.3(d), Sec.  410.101 would make clear that 
ORR's determination of whether a particular person is a UAC is an 
ongoing determination that may change based on the facts available to 
ORR.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.102--ORR Care and Placement of Unaccompanied Alien 
Children
    Section 410.102 specifies the children for whom ORR provides care, 
custody, and placement. The regulation specifies that DHS handles 
immigration benefits and enforcement. The INS entered into the FSA 
prior to the enactment of the HSA and TVPRA, which transferred the 
care, and then custody, of the majority of UACs to ORR. The HSA 
recognizes that ORR does not have responsibility for adjudicating 
benefit determinations under the INA. This part recognizes the general 
principles of the FSA that while in custody, UACs shall be treated with 
dignity, respect, and special concern for their particular 
vulnerability.
Proposed 45 CFR Part 410, Subpart B--Determining the Placement of an 
Unaccompanied Alien Child
Proposed 45 CFR 410.200--Purpose of This Subpart
    As stated inSec.  410.200, this subpart sets forth factors that ORR 
considers when placing UACs.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.201--Considerations Generally Applicable to the 
Placement of an Unaccompanied Alien Child
    Section 410.201 addresses the considerations that generally apply 
to the placement of UAC. The provision generally parallels the FSA 
requirements. The provision notes that ORR makes reasonable efforts to 
provide placements in the geographic areas where DHS apprehends the 
majority of UACs. ORR complies with this provision, as ORR maintains 
the highest number of UAC beds in the state of Texas where most UACs 
are currently apprehended.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.202--Placement of an Unaccompanied Alien Child in a 
Licensed Program
    Section 410.202 states that ORR places a UAC into a licensed 
program promptly after a UAC is referred to ORR legal custody, except 
in certain enumerated circumstances. See 8 U.S.C.1232(c)(2)(A). The FSA 
also recognizes circumstances where a UAC is not promptly, or is not at 
all, placed in a licensed program. These circumstances include 
emergencies or an influx as defined in Sec.  410.101 (in which case the 
UAC shall be placed in a licensed program as expeditiously as 
possible); where the UAC meets the criteria for placement in a secure 
facility; and as otherwise required by any court decree or court-
approved settlement. Like the DHS portion of this proposed rule, 
proposed Sec.  410.202 does not include the exception, which appears at 
paragraph 12(A)(4) of the FSA, that allows transfer within 5 days 
instead of 3 days in cases involving transport from remote areas or 
where an alien speaks an ``unusual'' language that requires the 
Government to locate an interpreter. As noted above, DHS has matured 
its operations such that these factors no longer materially delay 
transfer.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.203--Criteria for Placing an Unaccompanied Alien 
Child in a Secure Facility
    Section 410.203 sets forth criteria for placing UACs in secure 
facilities. This part is consistent with the FSA criteria, except that 
under the TVPRA, ``[a] child shall not be placed in a secure facility 
absent a determination that the child poses a danger to self or others 
or has been charged with having committed a criminal offense.'' 8 
U.S.C. 1232(c)(2)(A). With respect to these regulations, therefore, the 
TVPRA removes the factor of being an escape risk, which is permissible 
grounds under the FSA, as a ground upon which ORR may place a UAC in a 
secure facility.
    In addition, HHS chose not to include in the proposed regulatory 
text the specific examples of behavior or offenses that could result in 
the secure detention of a UAC, as they appear in paragraph 21 of the 
FSA, because the examples are non-exhaustive and imprecise. For 
instance, examples listed in paragraph 21 of what may be considered 
nonviolent, isolated offenses (e.g., breaking and entering, vandalism, 
or driving under the influence) could be violent offenses in certain 
circumstances depending upon the actions accompanying them. In

[[Page 45506]]

addition, state law may classify these offenses as violent. Including 
these examples as part of codified regulatory text may inadvertently 
lead to more confusion rather than clarity, and eliminate the ability 
to make case-by-case determinations of the violence associated with a 
particular act.
    Under the proposed regulations, a UAC may be placed in a secure 
facility if ORR determines that the UAC:
     Has been charged with, is chargeable, or has been 
convicted of a crime; or is the subject of delinquency proceedings, has 
been adjudicated delinquent, or is chargeable with a delinquent act; 
and where ORR assesses that the crimes or delinquent acts were not:
    [cir] Isolated offenses that (1) were not within a pattern or 
practice of criminal activity and (2) did not involve violence against 
a person, or the use or carrying of a weapon; or
    [cir] petty offenses, which are not considered grounds for a 
stricter means of detention in any case.

``Chargeable'' means that ORR has probable cause to believe that the 
UAC has committed a specified offense.

     While in DHS or ORR's custody or while in the presence of 
an immigration officer, has committed, or has made credible threats to 
commit, a violent or malicious act (whether directed at himself/herself 
or others.). Note: that because the FSA states that such acts would 
have occurred ``while in INS custody'' or ``in the presence of an INS 
officer,'' we propose that such activities in either DHS or HHS custody 
or in the presence of an ``immigration officer'' would be evaluated.
     Has engaged while in a licensed program in conduct that 
has proven to be unacceptably disruptive of the normal functioning of 
the licensed program in which the UAC is placed such that transfer is 
necessary to ensure the welfare of the UAC or others, as determined by 
the staff of the licensed program.

In addition, ORR proposes the following as warranting placement in a 
secure facility, even though the FSA does not specifically mention such 
criteria.

     First, if a UAC engages in unacceptably disruptive 
behavior that interferes with the normal functioning of a ``staff 
secure'' shelter, then the UAC may be transferred to secure facility. 
As written, the FSA looks only to such disruptive behavior when it 
occurs in a ``licensed'' facility--which under the FSA does not include 
in its definition staff-secure facilities--even though the vast 
majority of such facilities receive the same licenses as non-secure 
shelters. However, under this rule, UACs could be immediately 
transferred to a secure facility for disruptive behavior in a non-
secure shelter, without the means to evaluate further disruption in a 
staff secure setting. In addition, allowing for evaluation while in 
staff-secure care allows HHS to protect the other children residing 
within such shelter; it allows HHS to move one UAC who is disrupting 
the operations of the staff secure facility and transfer him or her to 
a more restrictive level of care.
     Second, the proposed rule adds to the list of behaviors 
that may be considered unacceptably disruptive. Examples provided in 
the FSA at paragraph 21 are: Drug or alcohol abuse, stealing, fighting, 
intimidation of others, etc. The agreement specifically says that the 
list is not exhaustive. Therefore, we propose to add to this list 
``displays sexual predatory behavior.''
     Finally, in keeping with the July 30 Order in Flores v. 
Sessions, the proposed rule states that placement in a secure RTC may 
not occur unless a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist determines 
that the UAC poses a risk of harm to self or others.
    Section 410.203 also sets forth review and approval of the decision 
to place a UAC in a secure facility consistent with the FSA. The FSA 
states that the determination to place a minor in a secure facility 
shall be reviewed and approved by the ``regional juvenile 
coordinator.'' This proposed rule uses the term ``Federal Field 
Specialist,'' as this is the official closest to such juvenile 
coordinator for ORR. (Note: Although not covered in this proposed rule, 
ORR also recognizes that the TVPRA at 8 U.S.C. 1232(c)(2)(A) delegates 
to the Secretary of HHS the requirement for prescribing procedures 
governing agency review, on a monthly basis, of secure placements. ORR 
directs readers to sections 1.4.2. and 1.4.7 of the ORR Policy Guide 
(available at: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/resource/children-entering-the-united-states-unaccompanied) for these procedurals under the 
TVPRA.)
Proposed 45 CFR 410.204--Considerations When Determining Whether an 
Unaccompanied Alien Child is an Escape Risk
    Section 410.204 describes the considerations ORR takes into account 
when determining whether a UAC is an escape risk. This part is 
consistent with how the term ``escape risk'' is used in the FSA. The 
TVPRA removes the factor of being an escape risk as a ground upon which 
ORR may place a UAC in a secure facility, even though it constitutes 
permissible grounds under the FSA. The factor of escape risk, however, 
is still relevant to the evaluation of transfers between ORR facilities 
under the FSA as being an escape risk might cause a UAC to be stepped 
up from a non-secure level of care to a staff secure level of care 
where there is a higher staff-UAC ratio and a secure perimeter at the 
facility. Notably, an escape risk differs from a ``risk of flight,'' 
which is a term of art used in immigration law regarding an alien's 
risk of not appearing for his or her immigration proceedings.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.205--Applicability of Section 410.203 for Placement 
in a Secure Facility
    Section 410.205 provides that ORR does not place a UAC in a secure 
facility pursuant to Sec.  410.203 if less restrictive alternatives, 
such as a staff secure facility or another licensed program, are 
available and appropriate in the circumstances.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.206--Information for Unaccompanied Alien Children 
Concerning the Reasons for His or Her Placement in a Secure or Staff 
Secure Facility
    Section 410.206 specifies that, within a reasonable period of time, 
ORR provides each UAC placed in or transferred to a secure or staff 
secure facility with a notice of the reasons for the placement in a 
language the UAC understands.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.207--Custody of an Unaccompanied Alien Child Placed 
Pursuant to This Subpart
    Section 410.207 specifies who has custody of a UAC under subpart B 
of these rules. The regulation specifies that upon release to an 
approved sponsor, a UAC is no longer in the custody of ORR. ORR would 
continue to have ongoing monitoring responsibilities under the HSA and 
TVPRA, but would not be the legal or physical custodian. See, e.g., 6 
U.S.C. 279(b)(1)(L); 8 U.S.C. 1232(c)(3)(B). This interpretation 
accords with ORR's longstanding interpretation, as well as provisions 
of the FSA (see e.g., paragraphs 15 through 17, discussing ``release'' 
from custody). This provision recognizes that once a UAC is released, 
he or she is outside the custody of HHS and ORR.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.208--Special Needs Minors
    Section 410.208 describes ORR's policy regarding placement of a 
special needs minor. Note that an RTC may be considered a secure level 
of care and is discussed in section 410.203 of this Part.

[[Page 45507]]

Proposed 45 CFR 410.209--Procedures During an Emergency or Influx
    Section 410.209 describes the procedures ORR follows during an 
emergency or influx. The FSA defines ``emergency'' and ``influx.'' HHS 
proposes to incorporate those definitions into its regulations with 
minor changes, consistent with the definitions in proposed 8 CFR 236.3. 
In addition, the FSA states that in the case of an emergency or influx 
of minors into the United States, UACs \22\ should be placed in a 
licensed program as ``expeditiously as possible.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ While the text of the FSA only uses the term ``minors,'' 
HHS has interpreted this term to include UACs, who may or may not 
meet the definition of ``minor'' in the FSA, given the subsequent 
enactment of the TVPRA, and the fact that HHS does not have custody 
of juveniles who are not UACs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    However, as DHS does, ORR also proposes a written plan describing 
the reasonable efforts it will take to place all UACs as expeditiously 
as possible into a licensed shelter when there is an influx or 
emergency consistent with proposed 410.209.
Proposed 45 CFR 410 Subpart C, Releasing an Unaccompanied Alien Child 
From ORR Custody
Proposed 45 CFR 410.300--Purpose of This Subpart
    As described in Sec.  410.300, the purpose of this subpart is to 
address the policies and procedures used to release a UAC from ORR 
custody to an approved sponsor.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.301--Sponsors to Whom ORR Releases an Unaccompanied 
Alien Child
    As specified in 410.301, ORR releases a UAC to a sponsor without 
unnecessary delay when ORR determines that continued ORR custody of the 
UAC is not required either to secure the UAC's timely appearance before 
DHS or the immigration courts, or to ensure the UAC's safety or the 
safety of others.
    Section 410.301 also contains the list of individuals (and 
entities) to whom ORR releases a UAC. ORR refers to the individuals and 
entities in this list as ``sponsors,'' regardless of their specific 
relationship with the UAC. The list follows the order of preference set 
out in the FSA.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.302--Sponsor Suitability Assessment Process 
Requirements Leading to Release of an Unaccompanied Alien Child From 
ORR Custody to a Sponsor
    Section 410.302 outlines the process requirements leading to 
release of a UAC from ORR custody to a sponsor (also referred to as 
``custodian''). The FSA at paragraph 17 allows ORR the discretion to 
require a suitability assessment prior to release. Likewise, the TVPRA 
provides that ORR may not release a UAC to a potential sponsor unless 
ORR makes a determination that the proposed custodian is ``capable of 
providing for the child's physical and mental well-being. Such 
determination shall, at a minimum, include verification of the 
custodian's identity and relationship to the child, if any, as well as 
an independent finding that the individual has not engaged in any 
activity that would indicate a potential risk to the child.'' 8 U.S.C. 
1232(c)(3)(A). As such, this proposed rule requires a background check, 
including at least a verification of identity for potential sponsors in 
all circumstances.
    Like the FSA, the proposed rule also allows for the suitability 
assessment to include an investigation of the living conditions in 
which the UAC would be placed and the standard of care he or she would 
receive, interviews of household members, a home visit, and follow-up 
visits after release. Furthermore, where the TVPRA requires a home 
study, as specified in 8 U.S.C. 1232(c)(3)(B), the proposed regulations 
acknowledge such requirement.
    The FSA says that the proposed sponsor must agree to the conditions 
of release by signing a custodial affidavit (Form I-134) and release 
agreement. However, the Form I-134 is a DHS form, and ORR does not use 
such form. Therefore, this proposed rule would have the sponsor sign an 
affirmation of abiding by the sponsor care agreement, which is the 
historical agreement and accompanying form ORR has used so that the 
sponsor acknowledges his or her responsibilities.
    For many years the suitability assessment has involved prospective 
sponsors and household members to be fingerprinted and for background 
checks to be run on their biometric and biographical data to ensure 
that release of a UAC to prospective sponsors would be safe. 
Fingerprinting of potential sponsors and household members is 
consistent with child welfare provisions. For example, all states 
require background checks for prospective foster care and adoptive 
parents, and kinship caregivers typically must meet most of these same 
requirements. See ``Background Checks for Prospective Foster, Adoptive, 
and Kinship Caregivers,'' available at: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/background.pdf#page=2&view=Who needs background checks (last 
visited Aug. 4, 2018). As of the time of the publication of the report, 
in 48 states, all adults residing in the home also were subject to 
background checks. A criminal records check for adult sponsors and 
other household members will check the individual's name in State, 
local or Federal law enforcement agencies' records, including databases 
of records for any history of criminal convictions. And, nearly all 
states require a check of national criminal records. See also 42 U.S.C. 
671(a)(20) (providing that states receiving federal funding for foster 
care and adoption assistance provide ``procedures for criminal records 
checks, including fingerprint-based checks of national crime 
information databases (as defined in section 534(e)(3)(A) 1 of title 
28), for any prospective foster or adoptive parent before the foster or 
adoptive parent may be finally approved for placement of a child . . . 
.'') In many, if not most cases, as well, while a sponsor may be a 
biological parent, the child arrived unaccompanied, and may not have 
lived with the parent for much or a significant portion of his or her 
childhood.
    Section 410.302(e) lists the conditions and principles of release.
    ORR also invites public comment on whether to set forth in the 
final rule ORR's general policies concerning the following:
     Requirements for home studies (see 8 U.S.C. 1232(c)(3)(B) 
for statutory requirements for a home study);
     Denial of release to a prospective sponsor, criteria for 
such denial, and appeal; and
     Post-release services requirements. Note: in accordance 
with the Flores v. Sessions July 30, 2018 Court order, ORR states in 
the preamble that it will not have a blanket policy of requiring post-
release services to be scheduled prior to release--for those UACs who 
required a home study--but will evaluate such situations on case-by-
case basis, based on the particularized needs of the UAC as well as the 
evaluation of the sponsor, and whether the suitability of the sponsor 
may depend upon having post-release services in place prior to any 
release. Because this statement reflects an interpretation of what may 
constitute an ``unnecessary'' delay of release, it is not necessary to 
include the policy on post-release services being in place, discussed 
above, explicitly in the regulation text, as the requirement for 
release without ``unnecessary delay'' is already included in the 
substantive rule.

Current policies are set forth in the UAC Policy Guide available at 
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/resource/children-

[[Page 45508]]

entering-the-united-states-unaccompanied at: Sec. Sec.  2.4 through 
2.7.
Proposed 45 CFR 410 Subpart D--What Standards Must Licensed Programs 
Meet?
Proposed 45 CFR 410.400--Purpose of This Subpart
    As stated at Sec.  410.400, this subpart covers the standards that 
licensed programs must meet in keeping with the FSA, as set out in the 
principles of the FSA, including the general principles of the 
settlement agreement of treating all minors in custody with dignity, 
respect, and special concern for their particular vulnerability.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.401--Applicability of This Subpart
    Section 410.401 states that the subpart applies to all licensed 
programs.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.402--Minimum Standards Applicable to Licensed 
Programs
    Section 410.402 reflects the minimum standards of care listed in 
Exhibit 1 of the FSA. ORR expects licensed programs to easily meet 
those minimum standards and, in addition, to strive to provide 
additional care and services to the UACs in their care. The 
requirements of 410.402 are consistent with the Flores v. Sessions 
Court Order of July 30, 2018, as they require that licensed programs 
comply with applicable state child welfare laws and regulations, and 
that UACs be permitted to ``talk privately on the phone, as permitted 
by the house rules and regulations.''
Proposed 45 CFR 410.403--Ensuring That Licensed Programs are Providing 
Services as Required by These Regulations
    Section 410.403 describes how ORR ensures that licensed programs 
are providing services as required by these regulations. As stated in 
this section, to ensure that licensed programs continually meet the 
minimum standards and are consistent in their provision of services, 
ORR monitors compliance with these rules. The FSA does not contain 
standards for how often monitoring shall occur, and this regulation 
does not propose to do so. At present, ORR provides further information 
on such monitoring in section 5.5 of the ORR Policy Guide (available 
at: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/resource/children-entering-the-united-states-unaccompanied-section-5#5.5).
Proposed 45 CFR 410 Subpart E--Provisions for Transportation of an 
Unaccompanied Alien Child
    This subpart concerns the safe transportation of a UAC while he or 
she is in ORR's custody.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.500--Purpose of This Subpart
    Section 410.500 describes how transportation is conducted for a UAC 
in ORR's custody. The FSA has two provisions that govern transportation 
specifically, which are incorporated in this proposed rule at Sec.  
410.501. First, a UAC cannot be transported with unrelated detained 
adults. Second, ORR assists in making transportation arrangements when 
ORR plans to release a UAC under the sponsor suitability provisions, 
and ORR may, in its discretion, provide transportation to a UAC.
Proposed 45 CFR 410 Subpart F, Transfer of an Unaccompanied Alien Child
    This subpart sets forth the provisions for transferring a UAC 
between HHS facilities. In some cases, ORR may need to change the 
placement of a UAC. This may occur for a variety of reasons, including 
a lack of detailed information at the time of apprehension, a change in 
the availability of licensed placements, or a change in the UAC's 
behavior, mental health situation, or immigration case.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.600--Principles Applicable to Transfer of an 
Unaccompanied Alien Child
    Section 410.600 sets out the principles that apply to the transfer 
of a UAC between HHS facilities. The transfer of a UAC under the FSA 
concerns mainly two issues: (1) That a UAC is transferred with all his 
or her possessions and legal papers, and (2) that the UAC's attorney, 
if the UAC has one, is notified prior to a transfer, with some 
exceptions. This rule adopts the FSA provisions concerning transfer of 
a UAC.
Proposed 45 CFR 410 Subpart G--Age Determinations
    This subpart concerns age determinations for UACs.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.700--Conducting Age Determinations
    Section 410.700 incorporates both the provisions of the TVPRA, 8 
U.S.C. 1232(b)(4), and the requirements of the FSA, in setting forth 
standards for age determinations. These take into account multiple 
forms of evidence, including the non-exclusive use of radiographs, and 
may involve medical, dental, or other appropriate procedures to verify 
age.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.701--Treatment of an Individual Who Appears To Be 
an Adult
    Section 410.701 also accords with the FSA and the TVPRA, and states 
that if the procedures of Sec.  410.700 would result in a reasonable 
person concluding that an individual is an adult, despite his or her 
claim to be a minor, ORR must treat such person as an adult for all 
purposes. As with 410.700, ORR may take into account multiple forms of 
evidence, including the non-exclusive use of radiographs, and may 
require such an individual to submit to a medical or dental examination 
conducted by a medical professional or other appropriate procedures to 
verify age.
Proposed 45 CFR 410 Subpart H, Unaccompanied Alien Children's 
Objections to ORR Determinations
    This subpart concerns objections of a UAC to ORR placement.
Proposed 45 CFR 410.800-801--Procedures
    While the FSA at Paragraph 24(B) and 24(C) contains procedures for 
judicial review of a UAC's placement in shelter (including in secure or 
staff-secure), and a standard of review, the agreement is clear that a 
reviewing federal district court must have both ``jurisdiction and 
venue.'' Also, once these regulations are finalized and the FSA is 
terminated, it would be even clearer that any review by judicial action 
must occur under a statute where the government has waived sovereign 
immunity, such as the Administrative Procedure Act. Therefore, we are 
not proposing regulations for most of paragraphs 24(B) and 24(C) of the 
FSA, although we do propose that all UACs will continue to receive a 
notice stating as follows:
    ``ORR usually houses persons under the age of 18 in an open 
setting, such as a foster or group home, and not in detention 
facilities. If you believe that you have not been properly placed or 
that you have been treated improperly, you may call a lawyer to seek 
assistance. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may call one from the 
list of free legal services given to you with this form.''
    The proposed rule also contains a requirement parallel to that of 
the FSA that when UACs are placed in a more restrictive level of care, 
such as a secure or staff secure facility, they receive a notice--
within a reasonable period of time--explaining the reasons for housing 
them in the more restrictive

[[Page 45509]]

level of care. In addition, the proposed rule is consistent with the 
July 30, 2018 order of the Flores court by stating that the notice must 
be in a language the UAC understands.
    Finally, consistent with the FSA, the proposed provision requires 
that ORR promptly provide each UAC not released with a list of free 
legal services providers compiled by ORR and that is provided to UAC as 
part of a Legal Resource Guide for UAC (unless previously given to the 
UAC).
Proposed 45 CFR 410.810 ``810 Hearings''
    The proposed rule makes no provision for immigration judges 
employed by the DOJ to conduct bond redetermination hearings for UACs 
under paragraph 24(A) of the FSA. It is not clear statutory authority 
for DOJ to conduct such hearings still exists, and indeed DOJ argued in 
the Ninth Circuit that it does not. In the HSA, Congress assigned 
responsibility for the ``care and placement'' of UACs to HHS's ORR, and 
specifically barred ORR from requiring ``that a bond be posted for [a 
UAC] who is released to a qualified sponsor.'' 6 U.S.C. 279(b)(1)(A), 
(4). In the TVPRA, Congress reaffirmed HHS's responsibility for the 
custody and placement of UACs. 8 U.S.C. 1232(b)(1), (c). The TVPRA also 
imposed detailed requirements governing ORR's release of UACs to 
proposed custodians--including, for example, a provision authorizing 
ORR to consider a UAC's dangerousness and risk of flight in making 
placement decisions. 8 U.S.C. 1232(c)(2)(A). Congress thus appears to 
have vested HHS, not DOJ, with control over the custody and release of 
UACs, and to have deliberately omitted any role for immigration judges 
in this area.
    In Flores v. Sessions, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth 
Circuit nonetheless concluded that neither the HSA nor the TVPRA 
superseded the FSA's bond-hearing provision. 862 F.3d at 881. But the 
court did not identify any affirmative statutory authority for 
immigration judges employed by DOJ to conduct the bond hearings for 
UACs required by paragraph 24(A) of the FSA. ``[A]n agency literally 
has no power to act . . . unless and until Congress confers power upon 
it.'' La. Pub. Serv. Comm'n v. FCC, 476 U.S. 355, 374 (1986). HHS, 
however, as the legal custodian of UACs who are in federal custody, 
clearly has the authority to conduct the hearings envisioned by the FSA 
and in accordance with the court's ruling in Flores v. Sessions. It 
also is more sensible, as a policy matter, for the same agency (HHS) 
charged with responsibility for custody and care of UACs also to 
conduct the hearings envisioned by the FSA.
    This rule in turn proposes HHS regulations to afford the same type 
of hearing paragraph 24(A) calls for, and to recognize the transfer of 
responsibility of care and custody of UAC from the former INS to HHS 
ORR. Specifically, rather than providing for DOJ-employed immigration 
judges to preside over these hearings, this rule includes provisions 
whereby HHS would create an independent hearing officer process that 
would be guided by the immigration judge bond hearing process currently 
in place for UACs under the FSA. The basic idea would be to provide 
essentially the same substantive protections, but through a neutral 
adjudicator at HHS rather than DOJ.
    This proposed rule implements the FSA's substantive protections, 
and responds to the HSA and TVPRA and the transfer of responsibility 
for UACs, when they are in government custody, to HHS. The reasonable 
method of reconciling paragraph 24(A) of the FSA with the HSA and 
TVPRA, is for the Secretary of HHS to appoint an independent hearing 
officer or officers who would conduct the hearings envisioned by the 
FSA for those UAC who qualify for such review.
    Under this proposal, the Secretary would appoint independent 
hearing officers to determine whether a UAC, if released, would present 
a danger to community (or flight risk). The hearing officer would not 
have the authority to release a UAC, as the Flores court has already 
recognized that Paragraph 24(A) of the FSA does not permit a 
determination over the suitability of a sponsor. Specifically, in 
reviewing this issue, the Ninth Circuit explained ``as was the case 
when the Flores Settlement first went into effect, [a bond hearing] 
permits a system under which unaccompanied minors will receive bond 
hearings, but the decision of the immigration judge will not be the 
sole factor in determining whether and to whose custody they will be 
released. Immigration judges may assess whether a minor should remain 
detained or otherwise in the government's custody, but there must still 
be a separate decision with respect to the implementation of the 
child's appropriate care and custody.'' Flores, 862 F.3d at 878. 
Similarly, the district court stated: ``To be sure, the TVPRA addresses 
the safety and secure placement of unaccompanied children . . . . But 
identifying appropriate custodians and facilities for an unaccompanied 
child is not the same as answering the threshold question of whether 
the child should be detained in the first place--that is for an 
immigration judge at a bond hearing to decide . . . . Assuming an 
immigration judge reduces a child's bond, or decides he or she presents 
no flight risk or danger such that he needs to remain in HHS/ORR 
custody, HHS can still exercise its coordination and placement duties 
under the TVPRA.'' Flores v. Lynch, No. CV 85-4544 DMG at 6 (C.D. Cal. 
Jan. 20, 2017).
    Thus, the hearing officer would decide only the issues presented by 
paragraph 24(A) of the FSA--whether the UAC would present a danger to 
the community or a risk of flight (that is, not appearing for his or 
her immigration hearing) if released. For the majority of children in 
ORR custody, ORR has determined they are not a danger and therefore has 
placed them in shelters, group homes, and in some cases, staff secure 
facilities. For these children, a hearing is not necessary or even 
beneficial, and would simply be a misuse of limited government 
resources. However, for some children placed in secure facilities, the 
hearing may assist them in ultimately being released from ORR custody 
in the event a suitable sponsor is or becomes available.
    As is the case now, under section 2.9 of the ORR Policy Guide 
(available at: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/resource/children-entering-the-united-states-unaccompanied-section-2#2.9), the hearing officer's 
decision that the UAC is not a danger to the community will supersede 
an ORR determination on that question. While currently, immigration 
judge decisions on such issues may be appealed to the Board of 
Immigration Appeals (BIA), HHS does not have a two-tier administrative 
appellate system that mirrors the immigration judge-BIA hierarchy. To 
provide similar protections without such a rigid hierarchy, this 
proposed rule would allow appeal to the Assistant Secretary of ACF (if 
the appeal is received by the Assistant Secretary within 30 days of the 
original hearing officer decision). The Assistant Secretary would 
review factual determinations using a clearly erroneous standard, and 
review legal determinations on a de novo basis. In such cases, where 
ORR appeals to the Assistant Secretary of ACF, there would be no stay 
of the hearing officer's decision unless the Assistant Secretary finds, 
within 5 business days of the hearing officer decision, that a failure 
to stay the decision would result in a significant danger to the 
community presented by the UAC. The written stay decision would be 
based on clear behaviors of the UAC while in care, and/or documented 
criminal or juvenile behavior records from the UAC.

[[Page 45510]]

Otherwise, a hearing officer's decision that a UAC would not be 
dangerous (or a flight risk) if released, would mean that as soon as 
ORR determined a suitable sponsor (or if ORR has done so already) it 
must release in accordance with its ordinary procedures on release.
    Under current Flores hearing rules, and in accordance with the 
Flores district court's order analogizing Flores hearings to bond 
hearings for adults, immigration judges apply the standard of Matter of 
Guerra, 24 I&N Dec. 37 (BIA 2006).\23\ Thus, the burden is on the UAC 
to demonstrate that he or she would not be a danger to the community 
(or flight risk) if released. However, due to the unique 
vulnerabilities of children and subsequent enactment of the TVPRA, we 
request comments on whether the burden of proof should be on ORR to 
demonstrate that the UAC would be a danger or flight risk if released. 
As is the case currently, the standard would be a ``preponderance'' of 
the evidence.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ The Flores District Court specifically cited the law of 8 
U.S.C. 1226 and 8 CFR 1003.19, 1236.1(d). See Flores v. Sessions, 
2:85-cv-04544, supra at 2, 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ORR also would take into consideration the hearing officer's 
decision on a UAC's level of danger when assessing the UAC's placement 
and conditions of placement, but the hearing officer would not have the 
authority to order a particular placement for a UAC.
    Requests for a hearing under this section (an ``810 hearing'') 
could be made by the child in ORR care, by a legal representative of 
the child, or by parents/legal guardians on their child's behalf. These 
parties could submit a written request for the 810 hearing to the care 
provider using the ORR form (See https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/orr/request_for_a_flores_bond_hearing_01_03_2018e.pdf (last 
visited Aug. 12, 2018)), or through a separate written request that 
provides the information requested in the form. ORR would provide a 
notice of the right to request the 810 hearing to UACs in secure and 
staff secure facilities. ORR also expects that the hearing officer 
would create a process for UACs or their representatives to directly 
request a hearing to determine danger (or flight risk). During the 810 
hearing, the UAC could choose to be represented by a person of his or 
her choosing, at no cost to the government. The UAC could present oral 
and written evidence to the hearing officer and could appear by video 
or teleconference. ORR could also choose to present evidence either in 
writing, or by appearing in person, or by video or teleconference.
    Because the 810 hearing process would be unique to ORR and HHS, if 
a UAC turns 18 years old during the pendency of the hearing, the 
deliberations would have no effect on DHS detention (if any).
    If the hearing officer determines that the UAC would be a danger to 
the community (or a flight risk) if released, the decision would be 
final unless the UAC later demonstrates a material change in 
circumstances to support a second request for a hearing. Similarly, 
because ORR may not have yet located a suitable sponsor at the time a 
hearing officer issues a decision, ORR may find that circumstances have 
changed by the time a sponsor is found such that the original hearing 
officer decision should no longer apply. Therefore, the proposed 
regulation states that ORR may request the hearing officer to make a 
new determination if at least one month has passed since the original 
decision, and ORR can show that a material change in circumstances 
means the UAC should no longer be released due to danger (or flight 
risk).
    HHS invites public comment on whether the hearing officers for the 
810 hearings should be employed by the Departmental Appeals Board, 
either as Administrative Law Judges or hearing officers, or whether HHS 
would create a separate office for hearings, similar to the Office of 
Hearings in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. See https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/CMSLeadership/Office_OHI.html.
    Furthermore, while the FSA contains procedures for judicial review 
of a UAC's placement in a secure or staff-secure shelter, and a 
standard of review, once these regulations are finalized and the FSA is 
vacated, any review by judicial actions would occur in accordance with 
the Administrative Procedure Act and any other applicable Federal 
statute. Therefore, we are not proposing regulations for most of 
paragraphs 24(B) and 24(C) of the FSA.

VI. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

    The Departments have considered numerous statutes and executive 
orders related to rulemaking. The following sections summarize our 
analyses based on a number of these statutes and executive orders.

A. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563: Regulatory Review

    Executive Orders 12866 (``Regulatory Planning and Review'') and 
13563 (``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review'') direct agencies 
to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives 
and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that 
maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, 
public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). 
Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both 
costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of 
promoting flexibility. OMB has designated this rule a significant 
regulatory action, although not an economically significant regulatory 
action, under Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, OMB has reviewed this 
regulation.
(1) Background and Purpose of the Proposed Rule
    These proposed regulations aim to terminate the FSA. They would 
codify current requirements of the FSA and court orders enforcing terms 
of the FSA, as well as relevant provisions of the HSA and TVPRA. The 
Federal government's care of minors and UACs has complied with the FSA 
and related court orders for over 20 years, and complies with the HSA 
and TVPRA.
    The proposed rule applies to minors and UACs encountered by DHS, 
and in some cases, their families. CBP and ICE encounter minors and 
UACs in different manners. CBP generally encounters minors and UACs at 
the border. Generally, ICE encounters minors either upon transfer from 
CBP to an FRC, or during interior enforcement actions. ICE generally 
encounters UACs when they are transferred from CBP custody to ORR 
custody, as well as during interior enforcement actions.
CBP
    CBP's facilities at Border Patrol stations and ports of entry 
(POEs) are processing centers, designed for the temporary holding of 
individuals. CBP facilities are designed to meet the primary mission of 
CBP, which is to facilitate legitimate travel and trade. CBP's 
facilities are not designed, nor are there services in place, to 
accommodate large numbers of minors and UACs waiting for transfer to 
ICE or ORR, even for the limited period for which CBP is generally 
expected to have custody of minors and UACs, generally 72 hours or 
less. All minors and UACs in CBP facilities are provided access to safe 
and sanitary facilities; functioning toilets and sinks; food; drinking 
water; emergency medical assistance, as appropriate; and adequate 
temperature control and ventilation. To ensure their safety and well-
being, UACs in CBP facilities are supervised and are generally 
segregated from unrelated

[[Page 45511]]

adults; older, unrelated UACs are generally segregated by gender.
    CBP has apprehended or encountered 61,610 minors accompanied by 
their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) (defined as a ``family unit''), 
and 55,090 UACs on average annually for the last three fiscal years. In 
Fiscal Year 2017, CBP apprehended or encountered approximately 105,000 
aliens as part of a family unit. Table 2 shows the annual number of 
accompanied minors (that is, minors accompanied by their parent(s) or 
legal guardian(s)) and UACs CBP has apprehended or encountered in 
Fiscal Years (FYs) 2010 through 2017.

   Table 2--U.S. Customs and Border Protection Accompanied Minors and Unaccompanied Alien Children Nationwide
                                  Apprehensions and Encounters FY 2010-FY 2017
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Accompanied
                           Fiscal year                                minors           UACs            Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2010............................................................          22,937          19,234          42,171
2011............................................................          13,966          17,802          31,768
2012............................................................          13,314          27,031          40,345
2013............................................................          17,581          41,865          59,446
2014............................................................          55,644          73,421         129,065
2015............................................................          45,403          44,910          90,313
2016............................................................          74,798          71,067         145,865
2017............................................................          64,628          49,292         113,920
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CBP makes a case by case determination as to whether an alien is a 
UAC based upon the information and evidence available at the time of 
encounter. When making this determination, CBP refers to section 
462(g)(2) of the HSA, which defines a UAC as a child who-- (A) has no 
lawful immigration status in the United States; (B) has not attained 18 
years of age; and (C) with respect to whom-- (i) there is no parent or 
legal guardian in the United States; or (ii) no parent or legal 
guardian in the United States is available to provide care and physical 
custody.
    Once CBP determines that an alien is a UAC, CBP must process the 
UAC consistent with the provisions of the TVPRA, which requires the 
transfer of a UAC who is not statutorily eligible to withdraw his or 
her application for admission into the custody of ORR within 72 hours 
of determining that the juvenile meets the definition of a UAC, except 
in exceptional circumstances.
    If, upon apprehension or encounter, CBP determines that an alien is 
a minor who is part of a family unit, the family unit is processed 
accordingly and transferred out of CBP custody. If appropriate, the 
family unit may be transferred to an ICE FRC. If the FSA were not in 
place, CBP would still make a determination of whether an alien was a 
UAC or part of a family unit upon encountering an alien, in order to 
determine appropriate removal proceedings pursuant to the TVPRA.
ICE
    When ICE encounters a juvenile during an interior enforcement 
action, ICE performs an interview to determine the juvenile's 
nationality, immigration status, and age. Pursuant to the TVPRA, an 
alien who has been encountered and has no lawful immigration status in 
the United States, has not attained 18 years of age, and has no parent 
or legal guardian in the United States available to provide care and 
physical custody will be classified as a UAC. The number of juvenile 
arrests made by ICE is significantly smaller than CBP across all fiscal 
years as shown in Table 3. An individual would have to be arrested to 
be booked into an FRC.

   Table 3--FY 14-FY 17 Juvenile Book-Ins With ICE as Arresting Agency
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Book-ins of
               Fiscal year                  accompanied    UAC Book-ins
                                              minors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2014....................................               3             285
2015....................................               8             200
2016....................................             108             164
2017....................................             123             292
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Once ICE determines that an alien is a UAC, ICE must process the 
UAC consistent with the provisions of the TVPRA, which requires the 
transfer of a UAC into the custody of ORR within 72 hours of 
determining that the juvenile meets the definition of a UAC, except in 
exceptional circumstances.
    At the time that the FSA was agreed to in 1997, INS generally did 
not detain alien family units. Instead, family units apprehended or 
encountered at the border were generally released. When a decision was 
made to detain an adult family member, the other family members were 
generally separated from that adult. However, beginning in 2001, in an 
effort to maintain family unity, INS began opening FRCs to accommodate 
families who were seeking asylum but whose cases had been drawn out. 
INS initially opened what today is the Berks Family Residential Center 
(Berks) in Berks, Pennsylvania, in 2001. ICE also operated the T. Don 
Hutto medium-security facility in Taylor, Texas as an FRC from 2006 to 
2009. In response to the influx of UACs and family units in 2014 in the 
Rio Grande Valley, ICE opened family residential centers in Artesia, 
New Mexico in June of 2014; Karnes County, Texas in July of 2014; and 
Dilley, Texas in December of 2014. The Artesia facility, which was 
intended as a temporary facility while more permanent facilities were 
contracted for and established, was closed on December 31, 2014.
    The South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas (Dilley) 
has 2,400 beds, Berks has 96 beds, and the

[[Page 45512]]

Karnes County Residential Center in Karnes County, Texas (Karnes) has 
830 beds. The capacity of the three FRCs provide for a total of 3,326 
beds. As a practical matter, given varying family sizes and 
compositions, and housing standards, not every available bed will be 
filled at any given time, and the facilities may still be considered to 
be at capacity even if every available bed is not filled. ICE did not 
maintain a consistent system of records of FRC intakes until July 2014. 
Since 2015, there has been an annual average of 31,458 intakes of 
adults and minors at the FRCs. The count of FRC intakes from July 2014 
through FY 2017 is shown in Table 4.

                        Table 4--Family Residential Center (FRC) Intakes FY 2014-FY 2017
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     FRC adult       FRC minor
                           Fiscal year                              FRC intakes       intakes         intakes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q4 2014 *.......................................................           1,589             711             878
2015............................................................          13,206           5,964           7,242
2016............................................................          43,342          19,452          23,890
2017............................................................          37,825          17,219          20,606
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 2014 only includes the fourth quarter of FY 2014: July, August, and September.

    As previously discussed, due to court decisions in 2015 and 2017, 
DHS ordinarily uses its FRCs for the detention of non-UAC minors and 
their accompanying parent(s) or legal guardian(s) for periods of up to 
approximately 20 days. Since 2016, the average number of days from the 
book-in date to the release date at all FRCs for both minors and adults 
has been less than 15 days. Table 5 shows the average number of days 
from book-in date to release date at FRCs for FY 2014 through FY 2017, 
based on releases by fiscal year. Data on releases are available for 
all four quarters of FY 2014.

 Table 5--Average Number of Days From Book-In Date to Release Date at Family Residential Centers FY 2014-FY 2017
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Average days    Average days
                                                                  Average number    for minors      for adults
                           Fiscal year                                of days       (<18 years      (>=18 years
                                                                                       old)            old)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2014............................................................            47.4            46.7            48.4
2015............................................................            43.5            43.1            44.0
2016............................................................            13.6            13.6            13.6
2017............................................................            14.2            14.2            14.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table 6 shows the reasons for the release of adults and minors from 
FRCs in FY 2017. As it indicates, the large majority of such 
individuals were released on an order of their own recognizance or 
paroled.

                  Table 6--FY 2017 Reasons for Release
                           [Adults and minors]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Reason for release                         Percent
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Order of Recognizance...................................            76.9
Paroled.................................................            21.3
Order of Supervision....................................             1.7
Bonded Out..............................................             0.1
Prosecutorial Discretion................................            <0.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table 7 shows the number of adults and minors removed from the 
United States from FRCs since FY 2014. Removals include returns. 
Returns include Voluntary Departures (including Voluntary Returns) \24\ 
and Withdrawals Under Docket Control.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ For the purposes of this table, Voluntary Return refers to 
the DHS grant of permission for an alien to depart the United 
States, while Voluntary Departure refers to the immigration judge's 
grant of permission for an alien to depart the United States.

               Table 7--Removals From FRCs FY 2014-FY 2017
                           [Adults and minors]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Fiscal year                           Removals
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q4 2014 *...............................................             390
2015....................................................             430
2016....................................................             724
2017....................................................             977
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 2014 only includes the fourth quarter of FY 2014: July, August, and
  September.

    The FSA does not impose requirements on secure facilities used for 
the detention of juveniles. Juveniles may be placed in secure 
facilities if they meet the criteria listed in paragraph 21 of the FSA.
HHS
    The proposed rule also applies to UACs who have been transferred to 
HHS care. Upon referral, HHS promptly places UACs in the least 
restrictive setting that is in the best interests of the child, taking 
into consideration danger to self, danger to the community, and risk of 
flight. HHS takes into consideration the unique nature of each child's 
situation and incorporates child welfare principles when making 
placement and release decisions that are in the best interest of the 
child.
    HHS places UACs in a network of over 100 shelters in 17 states. For 
its first nine years at HHS, fewer than 8,000 UACs were served annually 
in this program. Since FY 2012, this number has jumped dramatically, 
with a total of 13,625 children referred to HHS by the end of FY 2012. 
Between FY 2012 and FY 2018--Year To Date (YTD) (June), HHS has 
received a total of 267,354 UACs.

              Table 8--UAC Referrals to HHS FY 2008-FY 2017
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Fiscal year                           Referrals
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008....................................................           6,658
2009....................................................           6,089
2010....................................................           7,383
2011....................................................           6,560
2012....................................................          13,625
2013....................................................          24,668
2014....................................................          57,496
2015....................................................          33,726

[[Page 45513]]

 
2016....................................................          59,170
2017....................................................          40,810
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For FY 2018--YTD (June) the average length of stay (the time a 
child is in custody from the time of admission to the time of 
discharge) for UACs in the program is approximately 50 days. In FY 
2018--June '18 the average length of care (the time a child has been in 
custody, since the time of admission) for UACs in ORR care is 
approximately 58 days. The overwhelming majority, over 90 percent, of 
UACs are released to suitable sponsors who are family members within 
the United States. UACs that are not released to a sponsor typically: 
Age out or receive an order of removal and are transferred to DHS; are 
granted voluntary departure and likewise transferred to DHS for 
removal; or, obtain immigration legal relief and are no longer eligible 
for placement in ORR's UAC program.

           Table 9--Percentage of UACs by Discharge Type FY 18
                           [Through June 30th]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Percentage of
                     Discharge type                            UACs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Age Out.................................................             3.5
Age Redetermination.....................................             2.3
Immigration Relief Granted..............................             0.2
Local Law Enforcement...................................             0.0
Ordered Removed.........................................             0.2
Other...................................................             0.3
Runaway from Facility...................................             0.4
Runaway on Field Trip...................................             0.1
Reunified (Individual Sponsor)..........................            90.0
Reunified (Program/Facility)............................             1.3
Voluntary Departure.....................................             1.9
                                                         ---------------
  Total.................................................           100.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(2) Baseline of Current Costs
    In order to properly evaluate the benefits and costs of 
regulations, agencies must evaluate the costs and benefits against a 
baseline. OMB Circular A-4 defines the ``no action'' baseline as ``the 
best assessment of the way the world would look absent the proposed 
action.'' The Departments consider their current operations and 
procedures for implementing the terms of the FSA, the HSA, and the 
TVPRA to be the baseline for this analysis, from which they estimate 
the costs and benefits of the proposed rule. The baseline encompasses 
the FSA that was approved by the court on January 28, 1997. It also 
encompasses the 2002 HSA legislation transferring the responsibility 
for the care and custody of UACs, including some of the material terms 
of the FSA, to ORR, as well as the substantive terms of the 2008 TVPRA. 
Finally, it includes the July 6, 2016 decision of the Ninth Circuit 
affirming the district court's finding that the FSA ``unambiguously'' 
applies to both accompanied and unaccompanied minors, and that such 
minors shall not be detained in unlicensed and secure facilities that 
do not meet the requirements of the FSA. See Flores v. Lynch, 828 F.3d 
898 (9th Cir. 2016). The section below discusses some examples of the 
current cost for the Departments' operations and procedures under the 
baseline. Because the costs described below are already being incurred, 
they are not costs of this rule.
DHS
    CBP incurs costs to comply with the FSA, including those related to 
facility configurations, custodial requirements, and compliance 
monitoring. To comply with the terms of the FSA, for example, CBP 
reallocates space in its facilities to allow for separate holding areas 
for families and/or UACs. Pursuant to the FSA, CBP provides minors and 
UACs access to food; drinking water; functioning toilets and sinks; 
adequate temperature and ventilation; emergency medical care, if 
needed; and safe and sanitary facilities, which impose costs on CBP. 
Related costs include, for example, the purchase of food; bottled 
water; first aid kits; blankets, mats, or cots; and age-appropriate 
transport and bedding. To ensure compliance with the FSA, CBP has added 
fields in its electronic systems of records, so that CBP officers and 
Border Patrol agents can continuously record the conditions of the hold 
rooms and all custodial activities related to each minor or UAC, such 
as medical care provided, welfare checks conducted, and any separation 
from accompanying family members.
    CBP has experienced other baseline costs from its national and 
field office Juvenile Coordinators. Under current practice, the 
national CBP Juvenile Coordinator oversees agency compliance with 
applicable law and policy related to the treatment of minors and UACs 
in CBP custody. The national CBP Juvenile Coordinator monitors CBP 
facilities and processes through site visits and review of juvenile 
custodial records. Along with the national CBP Juvenile Coordinator 
role, CBP has field office and sector Juvenile Coordinators who are 
responsible for managing all policies on the processing of juveniles 
within CBP facilities, coordinating within CBP and across DHS 
components to ensure the expeditious placement and transport of 
juveniles placed into removal proceedings by CBP, and informing CBP 
operational offices of any policy updates related to the processing of 
juveniles (e.g., through correspondence, training presentations). 
Moreover, CBP's Juvenile Coordinators serve as internal and external 
agency liaisons for all juvenile processing matters.
    CBP's baseline costs also include the use of translation services, 
including contracts for telephonic interpretation services.
    ICE also incurs facility costs to comply with the FSA. The costs of 
operation and maintenance of the ICE FRCs for FY 2015-2017 are listed 
in Table 10, provided by the ICE Office of Acquisition Management. The 
costs account for the implementation of the FSA requirements, including 
the cost for the facility operators to abide by all relevant state 
standards. Two of the FRCs are operated by private contractors, while 
one is operated by a local government, under contract with ICE. These 
are the amounts that have been paid to private contractors or to the 
local government to include beds, guards, health care, and education.

                    Table 10--Current Costs for FRCs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Fiscal year                           FRC costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2015....................................................    $323,264,774
2016....................................................     312,202,420
2017....................................................     231,915,415
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FRC costs are fixed-price agreements with variable costs added 
on a monthly basis. Overall, the fixed-price agreements are not 
dependent on the number of detainees present or length of stay, with 
some exceptions. At Berks, the contract includes a per-person fee 
charged in addition to the monthly fixed rate. At two of the FRCs, 
Berks and Karnes, education is provided per the standards of a licensed 
program set forth in the FSA, at a per-student, per-day cost. Since 
FRCs are currently at limited available capacity and the configuration 
of limited available capacity varies from day to day across all FRCs, 
the number of children and adults vary at Berks day to day and the 
number of children at Karnes vary day to day. Thus, these costs charged 
to ICE vary from month to month.
    In addition to the above example of current costs to operate the 
FRCs, or the baseline cost, DHS (particularly CBP and ICE) incurs costs 
to process, transfer, and provide transportation of minors and UACs 
from the point of

[[Page 45514]]

apprehension to DHS facilities; from the point of apprehension or from 
a DHS facility to HHS facilities; between facilities; for the purposes 
of release; or for all other circumstances, in compliance with the FSA, 
HSA, and TVPRA.
    The baseline costs also include bond hearing for minors and family 
units who are eligible for such hearings. When a minor or family unit 
seeks a bond, ICE officers must review the request and evaluate the 
individuals' eligibility as well as, where appropriate, set the initial 
bond amount. Further, should the minor or family unit seek a bond 
redetermination hearing before an immigration judge, ICE must transport 
or otherwise arrange for the individuals to appear before the 
immigration court.
    ICE's baseline costs also include the use of translation services, 
including contracts for telephonic interpretation services.
    ICE also incurs baseline costs related to its Juvenile and Family 
Residential Management Unit (JFRMU), which was created in 2007. JFRMU 
manages ICE's policies affecting alien juveniles and families. The role 
of ICE's Juvenile Coordinator is within JFRMU and is not a collateral 
duty. JFRMU consists of specialized federal staff, as well as contract 
subject matter experts in the fields of child psychology, child 
development, education, medicine, and conditions of confinement. JFRMU 
establishes policies on the management of family custody, UACs pending 
transfer to the ORR, and UACs applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile 
specific consent. JFRMU continues to pursue uniform operations 
throughout its program through implementation of family residential 
standards. These standards are continually reviewed and revised as 
needed to ensure the safety and welfare of families awaiting an 
immigration decision while housed in a family residential facility. DHS 
conducts an inspection of each FRC at least annually to confirm that 
the facility is in compliance with ICE Family Residential Standards.
    The baseline costs include the monitoring of FSA compliance and 
reporting to the court. Since 2007, JFRMU has submitted Flores Reports 
annually, bi-annually, or monthly for submission to the court through 
DOJ.
HHS
    HHS' baseline costs were $1.4 billion in FY 2017. HHS funds private 
non-profit and for-profit agencies to provide shelter, counseling, 
medical care, legal services, and other support services to UACs in 
custody. Funding levels for non-profit organizations totaled 
$912,963,474 in FY 2017. Funding levels for for-profit agencies totaled 
$141,509,819 in FY 2017. Program funded facilities receive grants or 
contracts to provide shelter, including therapeutic care, foster care, 
shelter with increased staff supervision, and secure detention care. 
The majority of program costs (approximately 80 percent) are for bed 
capacity care. Other services for UACs, such as medical care, 
background checks, and family reunification services, make up 
approximately 15 percent of the budget. In addition, some funding is 
provided for limited post-release services to certain UACs. 
Administrative expenses to carry out the program total approximately 
five percent of the budget.
    In FY 2016, HHS total approved funding for the UAC program was 
$743,538,991, with $224,665,994 going to influx programming. In FY 
2017, the total funding was $912,963,474, with $141,509,819 for influx.
    These are examples of the types of costs the Departments incur 
under current operations, and are not a result of this rule.
(3) Costs
    This rulemaking would implement the relevant and substantive terms 
of the FSA, with limited changes necessary to implement closely related 
provisions of the HSA and TVPRA, and to ensure that the regulations set 
forth a sustainable operational model of immigration enforcement. This 
section assesses the cost of proposed changes to the current 
operational environment.
    The primary source of new costs for the proposed rule would be as a 
result of the proposed alternative licensing process, changes to ICE 
parole determination practices to align them with applicable statutory 
and regulatory authority, and the costs of shifting hearings from DOJ 
to HHS. The proposed alternative license for FRCs and changes to parole 
determination practices may result in additional or longer detention 
for certain minors, but DHS is unable to estimate the costs of this to 
the Government or to the individuals being detained because we are not 
sure how many individuals will be detained at FRCs after this rule is 
effective or for how much longer individuals may be detained because 
there are so many other variables to consider. The Departments seek 
comment on how these costs might be reasonably estimated, given the 
uncertainties.
    Table 11 shows the proposed changes to the DHS current operational 
status compared to the FSA. It contains a preliminary, high-level 
overview of how the proposed rule would change DHS's current 
operations, for purposes of the economic analysis. The table does not 
provide a comprehensive description of all proposed provisions and 
their basis and purpose.

                                Table 11--FSA and DHS Current Operational Status
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Description of FSA                              DHS change from current
         FSA paragraph No.                  provision           DHS cite (8 CFR)               practice
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 2, 3............................  ``Party, ``plaintiff''  N/A...................  None. (Note: These
                                      and ``class member''                            definitions are only
                                      definitions.                                    relevant to the FSA
                                                                                      insofar as the FSA exists
                                                                                      in the form of a consent
                                                                                      decree. Following
                                                                                      promulgation of a final
                                                                                      rule, the definitions
                                                                                      would no longer be
                                                                                      relevant. As a result, the
                                                                                      proposed rule does not
                                                                                      include these
                                                                                      definitions.)
4..................................  ``Minor'' definition..  236.3(b)(1)...........  None.
5..................................  ``Emancipated minor''   236.3(b)(1)(i)........  None.
                                      definition.
6..................................  ``Licensed program''    236.3(b)(9)...........  FSA defines a ``licensed
                                      definition.                                     program'' as one licensed
                                                                                      by an appropriate State
                                                                                      agency. DHS would not
                                                                                      define ``licensed
                                                                                      program,'' but instead
                                                                                      would define a ``licensed
                                                                                      facility'' as an ICE
                                                                                      detention facility that is
                                                                                      licensed by the state,
                                                                                      county, or municipality in
                                                                                      which it is located. DHS
                                                                                      would also add an
                                                                                      alternative licensing
                                                                                      scheme for family
                                                                                      residential centers
                                                                                      (FRCs), if the state,
                                                                                      county, or municipality
                                                                                      where the facility is
                                                                                      located does not have a
                                                                                      licensing scheme for such
                                                                                      facilities.

[[Page 45515]]

 
6+ Exhibit 1.......................  Exhibit 1, standards    236.3(i)(4)...........  DHS provides requirements
                                      of a licensed program.                          that licensed facilities
                                                                                      must meet. (Note: Compared
                                                                                      with Exhibit 1, these
                                                                                      requirements contain a
                                                                                      slightly broadened
                                                                                      educational services
                                                                                      description to capture
                                                                                      current operations and
                                                                                      added that program design
                                                                                      should be appropriate for
                                                                                      length of stay (see
                                                                                      (i)(4)(iv)); amended
                                                                                      ``family reunification
                                                                                      services'' provision to
                                                                                      more appropriately offer
                                                                                      communication with adult
                                                                                      relatives in the U.S. and
                                                                                      internationally, since DHS
                                                                                      only has custody of
                                                                                      accompanied minors so
                                                                                      reunification is
                                                                                      unnecessary (see proposed
                                                                                      236.3(i)(4)(iii)(H)).)
7..................................  ``Special needs         236.3(b)(2)...........  None.
                                      minor'' definition
                                      and standard.
8..................................  ``Medium security       N/A...................  None. (Note: DHS only has
                                      facility'' definition.                          secure or non-secure
                                                                                      facilities, so a
                                                                                      definition of ``medium
                                                                                      security facility'' is
                                                                                      unnecessary. As a result,
                                                                                      the proposed rule lacks
                                                                                      such a definition, even
                                                                                      though the FSA contains
                                                                                      one.)
9..................................  Scope of Settlement     N/A...................  None. (Note: This provision
                                      Agreement, Effective                            imposes a series of
                                      Date, and Publication.                          deadlines that passed
                                                                                      years ago, and/or do not
                                                                                      impose obligations on the
                                                                                      parties that continue
                                                                                      following termination of
                                                                                      the FSA. As a result, the
                                                                                      proposed rule does not
                                                                                      include this provision.)
10.................................  Class Definition......  N/A...................  None. (Note: Provision is
                                                                                      specific to the litigation
                                                                                      and is not a relevant or
                                                                                      substantive term of the
                                                                                      FSA, and is not included
                                                                                      in the rule.)
11.................................  Place each detained     236.3(g)(2)(i), (i),    None. (Note: 236.3(j)
                                      minor in least          (j)(4).                 tracks FSA paragraph14,
                                      restrictive setting                             which is consistent with
                                      appropriate for age                             FSA paragraph 11 but uses
                                      and special needs. No                           different terms.)
                                      requirement to
                                      release to any person
                                      who may harm or
                                      neglect the minor or
                                      fail to present minor
                                      before the
                                      immigration court.
11.................................  The INS treats, and     236.3(a)(1)...........  None.
                                      shall continue to
                                      treat, all minors in
                                      its custody with
                                      dignity, respect and
                                      special concern for
                                      their particular
                                      vulnerability as
                                      minors.
12(A)..............................  Expeditiously process   236.3(e), (f), &        None. (Note: The proposed
                                      the minor.              (g)(2)(i).              rule reflects the fact
                                                                                      that the TVPRA (rather
                                                                                      than the FSA) governs the
                                                                                      processing and transfer of
                                                                                      UACs. The proposed rule
                                                                                      also makes clear that
                                                                                      generally, unless an
                                                                                      emergency or influx ceases
                                                                                      to exist, the transfer
                                                                                      timelines associated with
                                                                                      an emergency or influx
                                                                                      continue to apply for non-
                                                                                      UAC minors.)
12(A)..............................  Shall provide the       236.3(g)(1)(i)........  None.
                                      minor with notice of
                                      rights.
12(A)..............................  Facilities must be      236.3(g)(2)(i)........  None
                                      safe and sanitary
                                      including toilets and
                                      sinks, water and
                                      food, medical
                                      assistance for
                                      emergencies,
                                      temperature control
                                      and ventilation,
                                      adequate supervision
                                      to protect minor from
                                      others.
12(A)..............................  Contact with family     236.3(g)(2)(i)........  None. (Note: The proposed
                                      members who were                                rule contains a slightly
                                      arrested with the                               different standard than
                                      minor.                                          appears in the FSA. The
                                                                                      proposed rule provides for
                                                                                      contact with family
                                                                                      members apprehended with
                                                                                      both minors and UACs.
                                                                                      Additionally, the proposed
                                                                                      rule invokes operational
                                                                                      feasibility and
                                                                                      consideration of the
                                                                                      safety or well-being of
                                                                                      the minor or UAC in
                                                                                      facilitating contact. The
                                                                                      FSA generally prioritizes
                                                                                      the safety and well-being
                                                                                      of the minor and that of
                                                                                      others, but does not
                                                                                      include these provisos.)
12(A)..............................  Segregate               236.3(g)(2)(i)........  None. (Note: The proposed
                                      unaccompanied minors                            rule would allow UACs to
                                      from unrelated                                  be held with unrelated
                                      adults, unless not                              adults for no more than 24
                                      immediately possible                            hours except in cases of
                                      (in which case an                               emergency or other exigent
                                      unaccompanied minor                             circumstances.)
                                      may not be held with
                                      an unrelated adult
                                      for more than 24
                                      hours).

[[Page 45516]]

 
12(A), 12(A)(1)-(3), 12(B).........  Transfer in a timely    236.3(b)(5), (b)(10),   None. (Note: Following the
                                      manner: Three days to   (e)(1).                 TVPRA, the transfer
                                      five days max with                              provisions in FSA
                                      exceptions, such as                             paragraph 12(A) apply to
                                      emergency or influx,                            DHS only for accompanied
                                      which requires                                  minors. In addition, the
                                      placement as                                    proposed rule's definition
                                      expeditiously as                                of ``emergency'' clarifies
                                      possible.                                       that an emergency may
                                                                                      create adequate cause to
                                                                                      depart from any provision
                                                                                      of proposed 236.3, not
                                                                                      just the transfer
                                                                                      timeline.)
12(A)(4)...........................  Transfer within 5 days  N/A...................  None. (Note: Although DHS
                                      instead of 3 days in                            is not proposing a change
                                      cases involving                                 in practice, it does not
                                      transport from remote                           propose to codify this
                                      areas or where an                               exception from the FSA in
                                      alien speaks an                                 proposed 236.3(e) because
                                      ``unusual'' language.                           operational improvements
                                                                                      have rendered the
                                                                                      exception unnecessary.)
12(C)..............................  Written plan for        236.3(e)(2)...........  None. (Note: Like the FSA,
                                      ``emergency'' or                                the proposed rule requires
                                      ``influx''.                                     a written plan. The
                                                                                      written plan is contained
                                                                                      in a range of guidance
                                                                                      documents.)
13.................................  Age determination.....  236.3(c)..............  None. (Note: The proposed
                                                                                      rule includes a ``totality
                                                                                      of the circumstances''
                                                                                      standard; the FSA does not
                                                                                      contain a standard that
                                                                                      conflicts with ``totality
                                                                                      of the circumstances.'')
14.................................  Release from custody    236.3(j) (release       The proposed rule adds that
                                      where the INS           generally).             any decision to release
                                      determines that the                             must follow a
                                      detention of the                                determination that such
                                      minor is not required                           release is permitted by
                                      either to secure his                            law, including parole
                                      or her timely                                   regulations. In addition,
                                      appearance before the                           the proposed rule does not
                                      INS or the                                      codify the list of
                                      immigration court, or                           individuals to whom a non-
                                      to ensure the minor's                           UAC minor can be released,
                                      safety or that of                               because the TVPRA has
                                      others. Release is                              overtaken this provision.
                                      to, in order of                                 Per the TVPRA, DHS does
                                      preference: parent,                             not have the authority to
                                      legal guardian, adult                           release juveniles to non-
                                      relative, adult or                              parents or legal
                                      entity, licensed                                guardians. Under the
                                      program, adult                                  TVPRA, DHS may release a
                                      seeking custody.                                juvenile to a parent or
                                                                                      legal guardian only.
15.................................  Before release from     N/A...................  None. (Note: The proposed
                                      custody, Form I-134                             rule does not codify this
                                      and agreement to                                portion of the FSA,
                                      certain terms must be                           because (1) the TVPRA has
                                      executed. If                                    overtaken this provision
                                      emergency, then minor                           in part, and (2) these
                                      can be transferred                              requirements, which are
                                      temporarily to                                  primarily for DHS's
                                      custodian but must                              benefit, are not currently
                                      notify INS in 72                                implemented.)
                                      hours.
16.................................  INS may terminate the   N/A...................  None. (Note: The proposed
                                      custody if terms are                            rule does not codify this
                                      not met.                                        portion of the FSA,
                                                                                      because (1) the TVPRA has
                                                                                      overtaken this provision
                                                                                      in part, and (2) these
                                                                                      requirements, which are
                                                                                      primarily for DHS's
                                                                                      benefit, are not currently
                                                                                      implemented.)
17.................................  Positive suitability    N/A...................  None. (Note: The proposed
                                      assessment.                                     rule does not codify this
                                                                                      portion of the FSA,
                                                                                      because the TVPRA has
                                                                                      overtaken this provision.
                                                                                      Per the TVPRA, DHS does
                                                                                      not have the authority to
                                                                                      release minors to non-
                                                                                      parents/legal guardians.)
18.................................  INS or licensed         236.3(j)..............  None.
                                      program must make and
                                      record the prompt and
                                      continuous efforts on
                                      its part toward
                                      family reunification
                                      efforts and release
                                      of minor consistent
                                      with FSA paragraph 14.
19.................................  INS custody in          236.3(i), (i)(5)......  None.
                                      licensed facilities
                                      until release or
                                      until immigration
                                      proceedings are
                                      concluded. Temporary
                                      transfers in event of
                                      an emergency.
20.................................  INS must publish a      N/A...................  None. (Note: This provision
                                      ``Program                                       imposes a deadline that
                                      Announcement'' within                           passed years ago. As a
                                      60 Days of the FSA's                            result, the proposed rule
                                      approval.                                       does not include this
                                                                                      provision.)
21.................................  Transfer to a suitable  236.3(i)(1)...........  None. (Note: The proposed
                                      State or county                                 rule clarifies some of the
                                      juvenile detention                              exceptions to secure
                                      facility if a minor                             detention, consistent with
                                      has been charged or                             current practice and in
                                      convicted of a crime                            line with the intent
                                      with exceptions.                                underlying FSA paragraph
                                                                                      21(A)(i)-(ii). The
                                                                                      proposed rule also removes
                                                                                      the specific examples used
                                                                                      in FSA.)
22.................................  Escape risk definition  236.3(b)(6)...........  None. (Note: the proposed
                                                                                      rule uses final order of
                                                                                      ``removal'' rather than
                                                                                      deportation or exclusion,
                                                                                      and considers past
                                                                                      absconding from state or
                                                                                      federal custody; and not
                                                                                      just DHS or HHS custody.)
23.................................  Least restrictive       236.3(i)(2)...........  None.
                                      placement of minors
                                      available and
                                      appropriate.

[[Page 45517]]

 
24(A)..............................  Bond redetermination    236.3(m)..............  None. (Note: The proposed
                                      hearing afforded.                               rule adds language to
                                                                                      specifically exclude those
                                                                                      aliens for which IJs do
                                                                                      not have jurisdiction, as
                                                                                      provided in 8 CFR
                                                                                      1003.19.)
24(B)..............................  Judicial review of      N/A...................  None. (Note: The proposed
                                      placement in a                                  rule does not expressly
                                      particular type of                              provide for judicial
                                      facility permitted or                           review of placement/
                                      that facility does                              compliance, but does not
                                      not comply with                                 expressly bar such
                                      standards in Ex. 1.                             review.)
24(C)..............................  Notice of reasons       N/A...................  None.
                                      provided to minor not
                                      in a licensed program/
                                      judicial review.
24(D)..............................  All minors ``not        236.3(g)(1)...........  None. (Note: The proposed
                                      released'' shall be                             rule requires DHS to
                                      given Form I-770,                               provide the notice of
                                      notice of right to                              right to judicial review
                                      judicial review, and                            and list of counsel to
                                      list of free legal                              those minors who are not
                                      services.                                       UACs and who are
                                                                                      transferred to or remain
                                                                                      in a DHS detention
                                                                                      facility. The
                                                                                      corresponding FSA
                                                                                      provisions apply to minors
                                                                                      ``not released.'' The
                                                                                      difference in scope is a
                                                                                      result of the TVPRA and
                                                                                      reflects the relationship
                                                                                      between Paragraph 12(A),
                                                                                      which applies to the
                                                                                      provision of certain
                                                                                      rights (largely contained
                                                                                      on the I-770) immediately
                                                                                      following arrest, and
                                                                                      Paragraph 28(D), which
                                                                                      applies to all minors who
                                                                                      are ``not released,'' and
                                                                                      so are detained by DHS.
                                                                                      The language does not
                                                                                      reflect a change in
                                                                                      practice. The proposed
                                                                                      rule also includes more
                                                                                      detailed language with
                                                                                      respect to the Form I-770
                                                                                      than the FSA; this
                                                                                      language comes from
                                                                                      current 8 CFR 236.3, and
                                                                                      is consistent with the
                                                                                      requirements of Paragraph
                                                                                      12(A).)
24(E)..............................  Additional information  N/A...................  None. (Note:
                                      on precursors to                                Responsibilities of the
                                      seeking judicial                                minor prior to bringing
                                      review.                                         litigation are not
                                                                                      relevant or substantive
                                                                                      terms of the FSA, and are
                                                                                      not included in the rule.)
25.................................  Unaccompanied minors    236.3(f)(4)...........  None. (Note: Proposed rule
                                      in INS custody should                           makes a clarifying change:
                                      not be transported in                           the proposed rule adds
                                      vehicles with                                   ``or unavailable'' as an
                                      detained adults                                 exception to
                                      except when transport                           ``impractical.'')
                                      is from place of
                                      arrest/apprehension
                                      to an INS office, or
                                      when separate
                                      transportation would
                                      otherwise be
                                      impractical.
26.................................  Provide assistance in   236.3(j)(3)...........  None. (Note: The proposed
                                      making transportation                           rule would remove the
                                      arrangement for                                 reference to release to a
                                      release of minor to                             ``facility.'' DHS releases
                                      person or facility to                           minors only to a parent or
                                      whom released.                                  legal guardian; a referral
                                                                                      to HHS is a transfer, not
                                                                                      a release.)
27.................................  Transfer between        236.3(k)..............  None.
                                      placements with
                                      possessions, notice
                                      to counsel.
28(A)..............................  INS Juvenile            236.3(o)..............  None. (Note: The proposed
                                      Coordinator to                                  rule requires collection
                                      monitor compliance                              of relevant data for
                                      with FSA and maintain                           purposes of monitoring
                                      records on all minors                           compliance. The list of
                                      placed in proceedings                           data points is similar to
                                      and remain in custody                           the list in 28(A) but not
                                      for longer than 72                              identical.)
                                      hours.
28(B)..............................  Plaintiffs' counsel     N/A...................  This provision would no
                                      may contact INS                                 longer apply following
                                      Juvenile Coordinator                            termination of the FSA.
                                      to request an                                   (Note: Special provisions
                                      investigation on why                            for Plaintiffs' counsel
                                      a minor has not been                            are not relevant or
                                      released.                                       substantive terms of the
                                                                                      FSA, and are not included
                                                                                      in the rule.)
29.................................  Plaintiffs' counsel     N/A...................  This provision would no
                                      must be provided                                longer apply following
                                      information pursuant                            termination of the FSA.
                                      to FSA paragraph 28                             (Note: Special provisions
                                      on a semi-annual                                for Plaintiffs' counsel
                                      basis; Plaintiffs'                              are not relevant or
                                      counsel have the                                substantive terms of the
                                      opportunity to submit                           FSA, and are not included
                                      questions.                                      in the rule.)
30.................................  INS Juvenile            N/A...................  This provision would no
                                      Coordinator must                                longer apply following
                                      report to the court                             termination of the FSA.
                                      annually.                                       (Note: Special provisions
                                                                                      for reporting to the court
                                                                                      are not relevant or
                                                                                      substantive terms of the
                                                                                      FSA, and are not included
                                                                                      in the rule.)
31.................................  Defendants can request  N/A...................  None. (Note: This provision
                                      a substantial                                   imposed a timeframe
                                      compliance                                      related to court
                                      determination after                             supervision of the FSA. As
                                      one year of the FSA.                            a result, the proposed
                                                                                      rule does not include this
                                                                                      provision.)
32(A), (B), and (D)................  Attorney-client visits  N/A...................  Special provisions for
                                      with class members                              Plaintiffs' counsel are
                                      allowed for                                     not relevant or
                                      Plaintiffs' counsel                             substantive terms of the
                                      at a facility.                                  FSA, and are not included
                                                                                      in the rule.

[[Page 45518]]

 
32(C)..............................  Agreements for the      236.3(i)(4)(xv).......  None. (Note: Special
                                      placement of minors                             provisions for Plaintiffs'
                                      in non-INS facilities                           counsel are not relevant
                                      shall permit attorney-                          or substantive terms of
                                      client visits,                                  the FSA, so the reference
                                      including by class                              to class counsel is not
                                      counsel.                                        included in the rule.)
33.................................  Plaintiffs' counsel     N/A...................  Special provisions for
                                      allowed to request                              Plaintiffs' counsel are
                                      access to, and visit                            not relevant or
                                      licensed program                                substantive terms of the
                                      facility or medium                              FSA, and are not included
                                      security facility or                            in the rule.
                                      detention facility.
34.................................  INS employees must be   N/A...................  None. (Note: This provision
                                      trained on FSA within                           imposed a deadline that
                                      120 days of court                               passed years ago. As a
                                      approval.                                       result, the proposed rule
                                                                                      does not include this
                                                                                      provision.)
35.................................  Dismissal of action     N/A...................  None. (Note: Provisions
                                      after court has                                 specific to terminating
                                      determined                                      the action are not
                                      substantial                                     relevant or substantive
                                      compliance.                                     terms of the FSA, and are
                                                                                      not included in the rule.)
36.................................  Reservation of Rights.  N/A...................  None. (Note: This provision
                                                                                      is only relevant to the
                                                                                      FSA insofar as the FSA
                                                                                      exists in the form of a
                                                                                      consent decree. Following
                                                                                      promulgation of a final
                                                                                      rule, it would no longer
                                                                                      be relevant. As a result,
                                                                                      the proposed rule does not
                                                                                      include this provision.)
37.................................  Notice and Dispute      N/A...................  None. (Note: This provision
                                      Resolution.                                     provides for ongoing
                                                                                      enforcement of the FSA by
                                                                                      the district court. As a
                                                                                      result, the proposed rule
                                                                                      does not include this
                                                                                      provision.)
38.................................  Publicity--joint press  N/A...................  None. (Note: This provision
                                      conference.                                     relates to an event that
                                                                                      occurred years ago. As a
                                                                                      result, the proposed rule
                                                                                      does not include this
                                                                                      provision.)
39.................................  Attorneys' Fees and     N/A...................  None. (Note: This provision
                                      Costs.                                          imposed a deadline that
                                                                                      passed years ago. As a
                                                                                      result, the proposed rule
                                                                                      does not include this
                                                                                      provision.)
40.................................  Termination 45 days     N/A...................  None. (Note: Provisions
                                      after publication of                            specific to terminating
                                      final rule.                                     the FSA are not relevant
                                                                                      or substantive terms, and
                                                                                      are not included in the
                                                                                      rule.)
41.................................  Representations and     N/A...................  None. (Note: This provision
                                      Warranty.                                       is only relevant to the
                                                                                      FSA insofar as the FSA
                                                                                      exists in the form of a
                                                                                      consent decree. Following
                                                                                      promulgation of a final
                                                                                      rule, it would no longer
                                                                                      be relevant. As a result,
                                                                                      the proposed rule does not
                                                                                      include this provision.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DHS
    A primary source of new costs for the proposed rule would be as a 
result of the proposed alternative licensing process. To codify the 
requirements of the FSA, DHS is proposing in this rule that facilities 
that hold minors obtain state, county, or municipal licensing where 
appropriate licenses are available. If no such licensing regime is 
available, however, DHS proposes that it will employ an outside entity 
to ensure that the facility complies with family residential standards 
established by ICE and that meet the requirements for licensing under 
the FSA, thus fulfilling the intent of obtaining a license from a state 
or local agency. That would thus provide effectively the same 
substantive assurances that the state-licensing requirement exists to 
provide. ICE currently meets the proposed licensing requirements by 
requiring FRCs to adhere to the Family Residential Standards and 
monitoring the FRCs' compliance through an existing contract. Thus, DHS 
would not incur additional costs in fulfilling the requirements of the 
proposed alternative licensing scheme. However, most states do not 
offer licensing for facilities like the FRCs.\25\ Therefore, to meet 
the terms of the FSA, minors who are not UACs are generally held in 
FRCs for less than 20 days (see Table 5). As all FRCs would be 
licensed, or considered licensed, under this proposed rule, the 
proposed rule may result in extending detention of some minors, and 
their accompanying parent or legal guardian, in FRCs beyond 20 days. An 
increase in the average length of detention may increase the variable 
contract costs paid by ICE to the private contractor and government 
entity who operate and maintain the FRCs, as compared to the current 
operational environment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ See the discussion of the definition of ``licensed 
facility'' supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ICE is unable to estimate how long detention would be extended for 
some categories of minors and their accompanying adults in FRCs due to 
this proposed rule. The average length of stay in the past is not a 
reliable source for future projections. The average length of stay 
prior to the court decisions in 2015 and 2017 reflect other policy 
decisions that will not be directly affected by this proposed rule. In 
addition, the number of days some minors and their accompanying adults 
may be detained depends on several factors, including a number of 
factors that are beyond the scope of this proposed rule. Among other 
factors, these may include the number of minors and their accompanying 
adults who arrive in a facility on a given day; the timing and outcome 
of immigration court proceedings before an immigration judge; whether 
an individual is eligible for parole or bond; issuance of travel 
documents by foreign governments; transportation schedule and 
availability; the availability of bed space in an FRC; and other laws, 
regulations, guidance, and policies regarding removal not subject to 
this proposed rule.
    Although DHS cannot reliably predict the increased average length 
of stay for affected minors and their accompanying adults in FRCs, DHS 
recognizes that generally only certain groups of aliens are likely to 
have their length of stay in an FRC increased as a result of this 
proposed rule, among other factors. For instance, aliens who have 
received a positive credible fear determination, and who are not 
suitable for parole, may be held throughout their asylum

[[Page 45519]]

proceedings. Likewise, aliens who have received a negative credible 
fear determination, have requested review of the determination by an 
immigration judge and had the negative determination upheld, and are 
awaiting removal, are likely to be held until removal can be 
effectuated. In FY 2017, 16,807 minors in FRCs went through the 
credible fear screening process and were released. Table 12 shows for 
FY 2017 the number of minors who went through the credible fear 
screening process who were released from FRCs. It does not include 
those minors who were removed while detained at an FRC. Those minors 
who were removed from an FRC would not have their lengths of stay 
increased pursuant to the changes proposed in this rule.

     Table 12--FY 2017 Minors at FRCs Who Went Through Credible Fear
                            Screening Process
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Number of
                                                               minors at
                                                                 FRCs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Positive Credible Fear Determinations.......................      14,993
Negative Credible Fear Determinations.......................         349
    Immigration Judge Review Requested......................         317
    Immigration Judge Review Not Requested..................          32
Administratively Closed.....................................       1,465
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Of the 14,993 minors shown in Table 12 who had positive credible 
fear determinations, about 99 percent were paroled or released on their 
own recognizance. The remaining one percent of minors are those in 
categories that might have their length of stay in an FRC increased due 
to this proposed rule.
    Separate from the population of minors referenced in Table 12, 
members of a family unit with administratively final orders of removal, 
once this rule has been finalized, are likely to be held until removed. 
842 such minors who were detained and released at FRCs during FY 2017 
either had final orders of removal at the time of their release or 
subsequently received final orders of removal following their release 
within the same FY. Minors like these 842 may be held in detention 
longer as a result of this rule. While DHS generally expects an 
increase in the average length of stay to affect only these groups, 
there may be others that may be affected.
    In FY 2017, the total number of minors who might have been detained 
longer at an FRC is estimated to be the number of minors in an FRC who 
were not paroled or released on order of their own recognizance (131), 
plus the number of such minors who had negative credible fear 
determinations (349), plus administratively closed cases (1,465), plus 
those who were released and either had final orders of removals at the 
time of their release or subsequently received final orders following 
their release (842), or 2,787. While the above analysis reflects the 
number of minors in these groups in the FY 2017, DHS is unable to 
forecast the future total number of such minors.
    The remaining factor in estimating the costs that are attributed to 
a potentially increased length of stay for these groups of minors and 
their accompanying parent or legal guardian are the variable contract 
costs paid by ICE to the private contractor and government entity who 
operate and maintain the FRCs. The fixed and variable contract costs 
were obtained from ICE Office of Acquisition Management. For Berks, 
there is a $16 per-person, per-day fee in addition to the monthly fixed 
contract rate. Assuming that the contract terms are the same in the 
future, an increased number of days that all individuals would be at an 
FRC may also increase this total variable fee amount. Due to the 
uncertainty surrounding estimating an increased length of stay and the 
number of aliens this may affect, the total incremental cost of this 
per day per person fee is not estimated.
    Educational services are provided at the Berks and Karnes FRCs at a 
variable cost per-student, per-day. The cost at Karnes is $75 per-
student, per-day, and at Berks the cost is $79 per-student, per-day. 
There is a fixed monthly cost for educational services at Dilley of 
$342,083; it is not dependent on the number of students per day.
    Assuming again that future contract terms are the same, the total 
education cost may increase if certain aliens, like the groups 
described above, are detained longer. However, the incremental variable 
education cost is not estimated because of the uncertainty surrounding 
the factors that make up the estimate of the average length of stay and 
the number of minors that may have an increased length of stay.
    This rule also proposes to change current ICE practices for parole 
determinations to align them with applicable statutory and regulatory 
authority. ICE is currently complying with the June 27, 2017 court 
order while it is on appeal. In complying, every detained minor in 
expedited removal proceedings and awaiting a credible fear 
determination or determined not to have a credible fear receives an 
individualized parole determination under the considerations laid out 
in 8 CFR 212.5(b), which considers only whether the minor is a flight 
risk. However, ICE proposes to revert to its practice prior to the 2017 
court order for those minors in expedited removal proceedings, using 
its parole authorities under 8 CFR 235.3 sparingly for this category of 
aliens, as intended by Congress. See 8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(1)(B)(iii)(IV) 
(``Any alien subject to [expedited removal] shall be detained pending a 
final determination of credible fear of persecution and, if found not 
to have such a fear, until removed.''). Under this standard, for aliens 
who are in expedited removal proceedings and are pending a credible 
fear determination or who have been found not to have such fear, 
release on parole can only satisfy this standard when there is a 
medical necessity or a law enforcement need. Accordingly, this change 
may result in fewer such minors or their accompanying parent or legal 
guardians being released on parole. Aliens in expedited removal 
proceedings are not generally detained in mandatory custody for long 
periods of time. Either a removal order is issued within a short amount 
of time or a Notice to Appear is issued, which may make the alien 
eligible for various forms of release. Consequently, DHS does not 
anticipate that these changes will result in extended periods of 
detention for minors who are in expedited removal proceedings.
    At this time, ICE is unable to determine how the number of FRCs may 
change due to this proposed rule. There are many factors that would be 
considered in opening a new FRC, some of which are outside the scope of 
this proposed regulation, such as whether such a facility would be 
appropriate, based on the population of aliens crossing the border, 
anticipated capacity, projected average daily population, and projected 
costs.
    With respect to CBP, the proposed rule is not anticipated to have 
an impact on current operations because CBP is currently implementing 
the relevant and substantive terms of the FSA, the HSA, and the TVPRA.
HHS
    HHS has complied with the FSA for over 20 years. The proposed rule 
would codify current HHS compliance with the FSA, court orders, and 
statutes. Accordingly, HHS does not expect this proposed rule to impose 
any additional costs, beyond those costs incurred by the Federal 
Government to establish the 810 Hearings process within HHS.
    This rule will shift responsibility for custody redetermination 
hearings for

[[Page 45520]]

UACs, now proposed to be referred to as 810 hearings, from DOJ to HHS. 
We estimate that some resources will be required to implement this 
shift. We believe that this burden will fall on DOJ and HHS staff, and 
we estimate that it will require approximately 2,000-4,000 hours to 
implement. This estimate reflects six to 12 staff working full-time for 
two months to create the new system. After this shift in responsibility 
has been implemented, we estimate that the rule will lead to no change 
in net resources required for 810 hearings, and therefore estimate no 
incremental costs or savings. We seek public comment on these 
estimates.
(4) Benefits
    The primary benefit of the proposed rule would be to ensure that 
applicable regulations reflect the current conditions of DHS detention, 
release, and treatment of minors and UACs, in accordance with the 
relevant and substantive terms of the FSA, the HSA, and the TVPRA.
    Without codifying the FSA as proposed in this rule, family 
detention is a less effective tool to meet the enforcement mission of 
ICE. In many cases, families do not appear for immigration court 
hearings after being released from an FRC, and even when they do, many 
more fail to comply with the lawfully issued removal orders from the 
immigration courts and some families engage in dilatory legal tactics 
when ICE works to enforce those orders. By departing from the FSA in 
limited cases to reflect the intervening statutory and operational 
changes, ICE is reflecting its existing discretion to detain families 
together, as appropriate, given enforcement needs, which will ensure 
that family detention remains an effective enforcement tool.
    HHS, having not been an original party to the FSA but having 
inherited some of its requirements, likewise benefits from the current 
operational environment with proposed rules that clearly delineate 
ORR's responsibilities from that of other Federal partners. 
Additionally, the proposed codification of the FSA terms, specifically 
the minimum standards for licensed facilities and the release process 
ensures a measure of consistency across the programs network of state 
licensed facilities.
    The regulations are also designed to eliminate judicial management, 
through the FSA, of functions Congress delegated to the executive 
branch.
(5) Conclusion
    This proposed rule reflects current requirements to comply with the 
FSA, court orders, the HSA, and the TVPRA. The Departments consider 
current operations and procedures for implementing the terms of the 
FSA, the HSA, and the TVPRA to be the baseline for this analysis. 
Because these costs are already being incurred, they are not costs of 
this rule. The primary source of new costs for the proposed rule would 
be a result of the proposed alternative licensing process, changes to 
current ICE parole determination practices to align them with 
applicable statutory and regulatory authority, and the costs of 
shifting hearings from DOJ to HHS. ICE expects the proposed alternative 
licensing process and changes to current parole determination practices 
to extend detention of certain minors in FRCs. This may result in 
additional or longer detentions for certain minors, increasing annual 
variable costs paid by ICE to the operators of Berks and Karnes and 
costs to the individuals being detained, but due to the uncertainty 
surrounding estimating an increased length of stay and the number of 
aliens this may affect, this incremental cost is not quantified.
(6) Alternatives
No Regulatory Action
    The Departments considered not promulgating this rule. The 
Departments had been engaged in this alternative prior to proposing 
this rule, which has required the Government to adhere to the terms of 
the FSA, as interpreted by the courts, which also rejected the 
Government's efforts to amend the FSA to help it better conform to 
existing legal and operational realities. Continuing with this 
alternative would likely require the Government to operate through non-
regulatory means in an uncertain environment subject to currently 
unknown future court interpretations of the FSA that may be difficult 
or operationally impracticable to implement and that could otherwise 
hamper operations. The Departments reject this alternative because past 
successful motions to enforce the Agreement have consistently expanded 
the FSA beyond what the Departments believe was its original and 
intended scope and imposed operationally impracticable or effectively 
impossible requirements not intended by the parties to the FSA and in 
tension with (if not incompatible with) current legal authorities. The 
Departments also reject this alternative because it does not address 
the current conflict between certain portions of the FSA and the HSA 
and TVPRA.
Comprehensive FSA/TVPRA/Asylum Regulation
    The Departments considered proposing within this regulatory action 
additional regulations addressing further areas of authority under the 
TVPRA, to include those related to asylum proceedings for UACs. The 
Departments rejected this alternative in order to solely focus this 
regulatory action on implementing the terms of the FSA, and provisions 
of the HSA and TVPRA where they necessarily intersect with the FSA's 
provisions. And, promulgating this more targeted regulation does not 
preclude the Departments from subsequently issuing regulations to 
address broader issues.
Promulgate Regulations--Preferred Alternative
    Legacy INS's successors are obligated under the FSA to initiate 
action to publish the relevant and substantive terms of the FSA as 
regulations. In the 2001 Stipulation, the parties agreed to a 
termination of the FSA ``45 days following the defendants' publication 
of final regulations implementing this Agreement.'' Under this 
alternative, the Departments are proposing to publish the relevant and 
substantive terms of the FSA as regulations, while maintaining the 
operational flexibility necessary to continue operations and ensuring 
that minors and UACs continue to be treated in accordance with the FSA, 
the HSA, and the TVPRA.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as 
amended, requires federal agencies to consider the potential impact of 
regulations on small entities during rulemaking. The term ``small 
entities'' comprises small business, not-for-profit organizations that 
are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their 
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 
50,000. Individuals are not considered by the RFA to be a small entity.
    An initial regulatory flexibility analysis follows.
    (1) A description of the reasons why the action by the agency is 
being considered.
    The purpose of this action is to promulgate regulations that 
implement the relevant and substantive terms of the FSA. This proposed 
rule would implement the relevant and substantive terms of the FSA and 
provisions of the HSA and TVPRA where they necessarily intersect with 
the FSA's provisions. Publication of final regulations would result in 
termination of the FSA, as provided for in FSA paragraph 40.

[[Page 45521]]

    (2) A succinct statement of the objectives of, and legal basis for, 
the proposed rule.
    The main purpose of this action is to promulgate regulations that 
implement the relevant and substantive terms of the FSA. The FSA 
provides standards for the detention, treatment, and transfer of minors 
and UACs. The Secretary of Homeland Security derives her authority to 
promulgate these proposed regulatory amendments primarily from the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA or Act), as amended, 8 U.S.C. 1101 
et seq. The Secretary may ``establish such regulations'' as she deems 
necessary for carrying out her authorities under the INA. INA sec. 
103(a)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1103(a)(3). In addition, section 462 of the HSA and 
section 235 of the TVPRA prescribe substantive requirements and 
procedural safeguards to be implemented by DHS and HHS with respect to 
UACs. And court decisions have dictated how the FSA is to be 
implemented. See, e.g., Flores v. Sessions, 862 F.3d 863 (9th Cir. 
2017); Flores v. Lynch, 828 F.3d 898 (9th Cir. 2016); Flores v. 
Sessions, No. 2:85-cv-04544 (C.D. Cal. June 27, 2017).
    Section 462 of the HSA also transferred to the ORR Director 
``functions under the immigration laws of the United States with 
respect to the care of unaccompanied alien children that were vested by 
statute in, or performed by, the Commissioner of Immigration and 
Naturalization.'' 6 U.S.C. 279(a). The ORR Director may, for purposes 
of performing a function transferred by this section, ``exercise all 
authorities under any other provision of law that were available with 
respect to the performance of that function to the official responsible 
for the performance of the function'' immediately before the transfer 
of the program. 6 U.S.C. 279(f)(1).
    Consistent with provisions in the HSA, and 8 U.S.C. 1232(a), the 
TVPRA places the responsibility for the care and custody of UACs with 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Prior to the transfer of 
the program, the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization, 
through a delegation from the Attorney General, had authority ``to 
establish such regulations . . . as he deems necessary for carrying out 
his authority under the provisions of this Act.'' INA sec. 103(a)(3), 8 
U.S.C. 1103(a)(3) (2002); 8 CFR 2.1 (2002). In accordance with the 
relevant savings and transfer provisions of the HSA, see 6 U.S.C. 279, 
552, 557; see also 8 U.S.C. 1232(b)(1); the ORR Director now possesses 
the authority to promulgate regulations concerning ORR's administration 
of its responsibilities under the HSA and TVPRA.
    (3) A description of and, where feasible, an estimate of the number 
of small entities to which the proposed rule will apply.
    This proposed rule would directly regulate DHS and HHS. DHS 
contracts with private contractors and a local government to operate 
and maintain FRCs, and with private contractors to provide 
transportation of minors and UACs. This rule would indirectly affect 
these entities to the extent that DHS contracts with them under the 
terms necessary to fulfill the FSA. To the degree this rule increases 
contract costs to DHS private contractors, it would be incurred by the 
Federal Government in the cost paid by the contract. Similarly, as of 
June 2018, HHS is funding non-profit organizations to provide shelter, 
counseling, medical care, legal services, and other support services to 
UACs in custody. HHS does not believe this rule would increase costs to 
any of their grantees.
    ICE currently contracts with three operators of FRCs, two of which 
are businesses and the other a local governmental jurisdiction. ICE and 
CBP also each have one contractor that provides transportation. To 
determine if the private contractors that operate and maintain FRCs and 
the private contractors that provide transportation are small entities, 
DHS references the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards 
represented by business average annual receipts. SBA's Table of Small 
Business Size Standards is matched to the North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS) for these industries.\26\ To determine if 
the local government that operates and maintains an FRC is a small 
entity, DHS applies the 50,000 size standard for governmental 
jurisdictions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ U.S. Small Business Administration, Tables of Small 
Business Size Standards Matched to NAICS Codes (Oct. 1, 2017), 
available at https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Size_Standards_Table_2017.xlsx.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DHS finds that the revenue of the private contractors that operate 
and maintain two of the three FRCs to be greater than the SBA size 
standard of the industry represented by NAICS 531110: Lessors of 
Residential Buildings and Dwellings. The size standard classified by 
the SBA is $38.5 million for lessors of buildings space to the Federal 
Government by Owners.\27\ The county population of the local government 
that operates and maintains the other FRC is over 50,000, based on 2017 
U.S. Census Bureau annual resident population estimates.\28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ DHS obtained NAICS codes and 2016 annual sales data from 
Hoovers.com.
    \28\ Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 
to July 1, 2017. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DHS finds that the revenue of the two private contractors that 
provide transportation to minors, in some cases their family members, 
and to UACs for DHS to be greater than the SBA size standard of these 
industries.\29\ The SBA size standard for NAICS 561210 Facilities 
Support Services is $38.5 million. The SBA size standards for NAICS 
561612 Security Guards and Patrol Services is $20.3 million.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ DHS obtained NAICS codes and 2016 annual sales data from 
Hoovers.com and ReferenceUSA.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Currently, HHS funds 37 grantees to provide services to UACs. HHS 
finds that all 37 current grantees are non-profits that do not appear 
to be dominant in their field. Consequently, HHS believes all 37 
grantees are likely to be small entities for the purposes of the RFA.
    The proposed changes to DHS and HHS regulations would not directly 
impact any small entities.
    (4) A description of the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and 
other compliance requirements of the proposed rule, including an 
estimate of the classes of small entities which will be subject to the 
requirement and the type of professional skills necessary for 
preparation of the report or record.
    The proposed rule would codify the relevant and substantive terms 
of the FSA. ICE believes the FRCs, which are operated and maintained by 
private contractors or a local government, comply with these 
provisions, and will continue to comply through future contract 
renewals. To the extent this rule increases variable contract costs, 
such as a per student per day education cost, to any detention 
facilities, the cost increases would be passed along to the Federal 
Government in the cost paid for the contract. However, DHS cannot say 
with certainty how much, if any, increase in variable education costs 
would result from this rule.
    A primary source of new costs for the proposed rule would be as a 
result of the proposed alternative licensing process. ICE currently 
fulfills the requirements being proposed as an alternative to licensing 
through its existing FRC contracts. To codify the requirements of the 
FSA, DHS is proposing in this rule that facilities that hold minors 
obtain state, county, or municipal licensing where appropriate licenses 
are available. If no such licensing regime is available, however, DHS 
proposes that it will employ an

[[Page 45522]]

outside entity to ensure that the facility complies with family 
residential standards established by ICE and that meet the requirements 
for licensing under the FSA. That would fulfill the goals of obtaining 
a license from a state or local agency. Most states do not offer 
licensing for facilities like the FRCs.\30\ Therefore, to meet the 
terms of the FSA, minors are generally held in FRCs for less than 20 
days (see Table 5). As all FRCs would be licensed under this proposed 
rule, the proposed rule may result in extending detention of some 
minors and their accompanying parent or legal guardian in FRCs beyond 
20 days. Additionally, this rule would change ICE parole determination 
practices, which may result in fewer aliens being paroled.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ See the discussion of the definition of ``licensed 
facility'' supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An increase in the average length of detention may increase the 
variable costs paid by ICE to the private contractors who operate and 
maintain Berks and Karnes, as compared to the current operational 
environment. Due to many uncertainties surrounding the forecast, DHS is 
unable to estimate the incremental variable costs due to this proposed 
rule. Refer to Section VI.A. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563: 
Regulatory Review for the description of the uncertainties.
    As discussed above, DHS would incur these potential costs through 
the cost paid for the contract with these facilities.
    There are no cost impacts on the contracts for providing 
transportation because this rule codifies current operations.
    The Departments request information and data from the public that 
would assist in better understanding the direct effects of this 
proposed rule on small entities. Members of the public should submit a 
comment, as described in this proposed rule under Public Participation, 
if they think that their business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this proposed rule 
would have a significant economic impact on it. It would be helpful if 
commenters provide as much information as possible as to why this 
proposed rule would create an impact on small businesses.
    (5) Identification, to the extent practicable, of all relevant 
federal rules that may duplicate, overlap or conflict with the proposed 
rule.
    The Departments are unaware of any relevant Federal rule that may 
duplicate, overlap, or conflict with the proposed rule.
    (6) Description of any significant alternatives to the proposed 
rule which accomplish the stated objectives of applicable statutes and 
which minimize any significant economic impact of the proposed rule on 
small entities.
    The Departments are not aware any alternatives to the proposed rule 
which accomplish the stated objectives that would minimize economic 
impact of the proposed rule on small entities. DHS requests comments 
and also seeks alternatives from the public that will accomplish the 
same objectives and minimize the proposed rule's economic impact on 
small entities.

C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104-121, 110 Stat. 847, 858-59, we 
want to assist small entities in understanding this proposed rule so 
that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in 
the rulemaking. If the proposed rule would affect your small business, 
organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions 
concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please consult ICE 
or ORR, as appropriate, using the contact information provided in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section above.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public Law 104-4, 
109 Stat. 48 (codified at 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.), is intended, among 
other things, to curb the practice of imposing unfunded Federal 
mandates on State, local, and tribal governments. Title II of the Act 
requires each Federal agency to prepare a written statement assessing 
the effects of any Federal mandate in a proposed or final agency rule 
that may result in the expenditure of $100 million or more (adjusted 
annually for inflation) in any 1 year by State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector. 2 U.S.C. 
1532(a). The value equivalent of $100 million in 1995 adjusted for 
inflation to 2017 levels by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban 
Consumer (CPI-U) is $161 million.
    This rule does not exceed the $100 million expenditure threshold in 
any 1 year when adjusted for inflation. Though this rule would not 
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule 
elsewhere in this preamble. Additionally, UMRA excludes from its 
definitions of ``Federal intergovernmental mandate,'' and ``Federal 
private sector mandate'' those regulations imposing an enforceable duty 
on other levels of government or the private sector which are a 
``condition of Federal assistance.'' 2 U.S.C. 658(5)(A)(i)(I), 
(7)(A)(i). The FSA provides the Departments with no direct authority to 
mandate binding standards on facilities of state and local governments 
or on operations of private sector entities. Instead, these 
requirements would impact such governments or entities only to the 
extent that they make voluntary decisions to contract with the 
Departments. Compliance with any standards that are not already 
otherwise in place resulting from this rule would be a condition of 
ongoing Federal assistance through such arrangements. Therefore, this 
rulemaking contains neither a federal intergovernmental mandate nor a 
private sector mandate.

E. Congressional Review Act

    The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has determined 
that this rulemaking is not a major rule, as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804, 
for purposes of congressional review of agency rulemaking pursuant to 
the Congressional Review Act, Public Law 104-121, sec. 251, 110 Stat. 
868, 873 (codified at 5 U.S.C. 804). This rulemaking would not result 
in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major 
increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse effects on 
competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the 
ability of U.S.-based companies to compete with foreign-based companies 
in domestic and export markets. If this rule is implemented as 
proposed, a report about the issuance of the final rule will be 
submitted to Congress and the Comptroller General of the United States 
prior to its effective date.

F. Paperwork Reduction Act

    All Departments are required to submit to OMB for review and 
approval, any reporting or recordkeeping requirements inherent in a 
rule under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, 109 
Stat. 163 (1995) (codified at 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). This proposed 
rule does not create or change a collection of information, therefore, 
is not subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act requirements.
    However, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3507(d)), ACF submitted a copy of this section to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for its review. This proposed rule complies 
with settlement agreements, court orders, and statutory requirements, 
most of whose terms have been in place for over 20 years. This proposed 
rule would not require additional information

[[Page 45523]]

collection requirements beyond those requirements. The reporting 
requirements associated with those practices have been approved under 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act and in accordance with 
5 CFR part 1320. ACF received conditional approval from OMB for use of 
its forms on October 19, 2015, with an expiration date of October 31, 
2018 (OMB Control Number 0970-0278). Separately, ACF received approval 
from OMB for its placement and service forms on July 6, 2017, with an 
expiration date of July 31, 2020 (OMB Control Number 0970-0498); a form 
associated with the specific consent process is currently pending 
approval with OMB (OMB Control Number 0970-0385).

G. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    This proposed rule would not have substantial direct effects on the 
States, on the relationship between the National Government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. This proposed rule implements the FSA by 
codifying the Departments' practices that comply with the terms of the 
FSA and relevant law for the processing, transfer, and care and custody 
of alien juveniles. In codifying these practices, the Departments were 
mindful of their obligations to meet the requirements of the FSA while 
also minimizing conflicts between State law and Federal interests.
    Insofar, however, as the proposed rule sets forth standards that 
might apply to immigration detention facilities and holding facilities 
operated by contract with State and local governments and private 
entities, this proposed rule has the potential to affect the States, 
although it would not affect the relationship between the National 
Government and the States or the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government and private 
entities. With respect to the State and local agencies, as well as the 
private entities, that contract with DHS and operate these facilities 
across the country, the FSA provides DHS with no direct authority to 
mandate binding standards on their facilities. Instead, these 
requirements will impact the State, local, and private entities only to 
the extent that they make voluntary decisions to contract with DHS for 
the processing, transportation, care, or custody of alien juveniles. 
This approach is fully consistent with DHS's historical relationship to 
State and local agencies in this context.
    Typically HHS enters into cooperative agreements or contracts with 
non-profit organizations to provide shelter, care, and physical custody 
for UACs in a facility licensed by the appropriate State or local 
licensing authority. Where HHS enters into cooperative agreements or 
contacts with a state licensed facility, ORR requires that the non-
profit organization administering the facility abide by all applicable 
State or local licensing regulations and laws. ORR designed agency 
policies and proposed regulations as well as the terms of HHS 
cooperative agreements and contracts with the agency's grantees/
contractors to complement appropriate State and licensing rules, not 
supplant or replace the requirements.
    Therefore, in accordance with section 6 of Executive Order 13132, 
it is determined that this proposed rule does not have sufficient 
federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a federalism 
summary impact statement.
    Notwithstanding the determination that the formal consultation 
process described in Executive Order 13132 is not required for this 
rule, the Departments welcome any comments from representatives of 
State and local juvenile or family residential facilities--among other 
individuals and groups--during the course of this rulemaking.

H. Executive Order 12988: Civil Justice Reform

    This proposed rule meets the applicable standards set forth in 
sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice 
Reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

I. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use

    Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to consider the impact of 
rules that significantly impact the supply, distribution, and use of 
energy. DHS has reviewed this proposed rule and determined that it is 
not a ``significant energy action'' under the order because, while it 
is a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, it 
does not have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, 
or use of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy 
action. Therefore, this proposed rule does not require a Statement of 
Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.

J. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Management Directive (MD) 
023-01 Revision Number 01 and Instruction Manual (IM) 023-01-001-01 
Revision Number 01 establish procedures that DHS and its Components use 
to implement the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321-4375, and the Council on Environmental 
Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA, 40 CFR parts 1500-
1508.
    The CEQ regulations allow federal agencies to establish categories 
of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant 
effect on the human environment and, therefore, do not require an 
Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement. 40 CFR 
1508.4. The IM 023-01-001-01, Rev. 01 lists the Categorical Exclusions 
that DHS has found to have no such effect. IM 023-01-001-01 Rev. 01, 
Appendix A, Table 1.
    For an action to be categorically excluded, IM 023-01-001-01 Rev. 
01 requires the action to satisfy each of the following three 
conditions:
    (1) The entire action clearly fits within one or more of the 
Categorical Exclusions;
    (2) The action is not a piece of a larger action; and
    (3) No extraordinary circumstances exist that create the potential 
for a significant environmental effect. IM 023-01-001-01 Rev. 01 Sec.  
V(B)(2)(a)-(c).
    Certain categories of proposed actions included in the 
Categorically Excluded actions list have a greater potential to involve 
extraordinary circumstances and require the preparation of a Record of 
Environmental Consideration to document the NEPA analysis. IM 023-01-
001-01 Rev. 01 Sec.  V(B)(2).
    This proposed rule would implement the relevant and substantive 
terms of the FSA, with such limited changes as are necessary to 
implement closely related provisions of the HSA and the TVPRA, and to 
ensure that the regulations set forth a sustainable operational model. 
The proposed rule would implement regulations to ensure the humane 
detention of alien juveniles, and satisfy the goals of the FSA, in a 
manner that is workable and enforceable.
    DHS analyzed this proposed rule under MD 023-01 Rev. 01 and IM 023-
01-001-01 Rev. 01. DHS has made a preliminary determination that this 
action is one of a category of actions that do not individually or 
cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This 
proposed rule clearly

[[Page 45524]]

fits within the Categorical Exclusions found in IM 023-01-001-01 Rev. 
01, Appendix A, Table 1, number A3(b) and A3(d). A3(b) reads as: The 
``Promulgation of rules . . . that implement, without substantive 
change, statutory or regulatory requirements.'' A3(d) reads as: The 
``Promulgation of rules . . . that interpret or amend an existing 
regulation without changing its environmental effect.'' This proposed 
rule is not part of a larger action. This proposed rule presents no 
extraordinary circumstances creating the potential for significant 
environmental effects. Therefore, this proposed rule is categorically 
excluded from further NEPA review.
    For purposes of the joint NPRM, ORR's functions are categorically 
exempted from NEPA requirements as ORR's state licensed facilities are 
operated under social service grants. While the exception specifically 
excludes ``projects involving construction, renovation, or changes in 
land use,'' ORR is generally precluded from initiating these types of 
projects directly for traditional shelter care in state licensed 
facilities, as the agency lacks construction authority.
    The Departments seek any comments or information that may lead to 
the discovery of any significant environmental effects from this 
proposed rule.

K. Executive Order 12630: Governmental Actions and Interference With 
Constitutionally Protected Property Rights

    This proposed rule would not cause a taking of private property or 
otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, 
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected 
Property Rights.

L. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks

    Executive Order 13045 requires agencies to consider the impacts of 
environmental health risk or safety risk that may disproportionately 
affect children. The Departments have reviewed this proposed rule and 
determined that this rule is not an economically significant rule and 
would not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that 
may disproportionately affect children. Therefore, the Departments have 
not prepared a statement under this executive order.

M. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 
U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards 
in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, 
through OMB, with an explanation of why using these standards would be 
inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impracticable. Voluntary 
consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of 
materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling 
procedures; and related management systems practices) that are 
developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. This 
proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not 
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

N. Family Assessment

    The Departments have reviewed this proposed rule in accordance with 
the requirements of section 654 of the Treasury General Appropriations 
Act, 1999, Public Law 105-277. With respect to the criteria specified 
in section 654(c)(1), insofar as the proposed rule may ensure the 
continued availability of FRCs notwithstanding the lack of state 
licensure, the proposed rule may in some respects strengthen the 
stability of the family and the authority and rights of parents in the 
education, nurture, and supervision of their children, within the 
immigration detention context. The rule would also codify in regulation 
certain statutory policies with respect to the treatment of UACs. In 
general, however, as proposed, these regulations would not have an 
impact on family well-being as defined in this legislation. With 
respect to family well-being, this proposed rule codifies current 
requirements of settlement agreements, court orders, and statutes, most 
of whose terms have been in place for over 20 years, as well as HHS's 
related authorities.

VII. List of Subjects and Regulatory Amendments

List of Subjects

8 CFR Part 212

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Immigration, 
Passports and visas, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

8 CFR Part 236

    Apprehension and detention of inadmissible and deportable aliens, 
Removal of aliens ordered removed, Administrative practice and 
procedure, Aliens, Immigration.

45 CFR Part 410

    Administrative practice and procedure, Child welfare, Immigration, 
Unaccompanied alien children, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

8 CFR Chapter I

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, parts 212 and 236 of 
chapter I are proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 212--DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS; NONIMMIGRANTS; WAIVERS; 
ADMISSION OF CERTAIN INADMISSIBLE ALIENS; PAROLE

0
1. The authority citation for part 212 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  8 U.S.C. 1101, 1103, 1181, 1182, 1203, 1225, 1257; 8 
CFR part 2.

0
2. In Sec.  212.5, revise paragraphs (b) introductory text and (b)(3) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  212.5  Parole of aliens into the United States.

* * * * *
    (b) The parole of aliens within the following groups who have been 
or are detained in accordance with Sec.  235.3(c) of this chapter would 
generally be justified only on a case-by-case basis for ``urgent 
humanitarian reasons or ``significant public benefit,'' provided the 
aliens present neither a security risk nor a risk of absconding:
* * * * *
    (3) Aliens who are defined as minors in Sec.  236.3(b) of this 
chapter and are in DHS custody. The Executive Assistant Director, 
Enforcement and Removal Operations; directors of field operations; 
field office directors, deputy field office directors; or chief patrol 
agents shall follow the guidelines set forth in Sec.  236.3(j) of this 
chapter and paragraphs (b)(3)(i) through (ii) of this section in 
determining under what conditions a minor should be paroled from 
detention:
    (i) Minors may be released to a parent or legal guardian not in 
detention.
    (ii) Minors may be released with an accompanying parent or legal 
guardian who is in detention.
* * * * *

[[Page 45525]]

PART 236--APPREHENSION AND DETENTION OF INADMISSIBLE AND DEPORTABLE 
ALIENS; REMOVAL OF ALIENS ORDERED REMOVED

0
3. The authority citation for part 236 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, 552, 552a; 6 U.S.C. 112(a)(2), 
112(a)(3), 112(b)(1), 112(e), 202, 251, 279, 291; 8 U.S.C. 1103, 
1182, 1224, 1225, 1226, 1227, 1231, 1232, 1357, 1362; 18 U.S.C. 
4002, 4013(c)(4); 8 CFR part 2.

0
4. Section 236.3 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  236.3  Processing, detention, and release of alien minors.

    (a) Generally. (1) DHS treats all minors and UACs in its custody 
with dignity, respect and special concern for their particular 
vulnerability.
    (2) The provisions of this section apply to all minors in the legal 
custody of DHS, including minors who are subject to the mandatory 
detention provisions of the INA and applicable regulations, to the 
extent authorized by law.
    (b) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
    (1) Minor means any alien who has not attained eighteen (18) years 
of age and has not been:
    (i) Emancipated in an appropriate state judicial proceeding; or
    (ii) Incarcerated due to a conviction for a criminal offense in 
which he or she was tried as an adult.
    (2) Special Needs Minor means a minor whose mental and/or physical 
condition requires special services and treatment as identified during 
an individualized needs assessment as referenced in paragraph 
(i)(4)(iii) of this section. A minor may have special needs due to drug 
or alcohol abuse, serious emotional disturbance, mental illness or 
retardation, or a physical condition or chronic illness that requires 
special services or treatment. A minor who has suffered serious neglect 
or abuse may be considered a minor with special needs if the minor 
requires special services or treatment as a result of the neglect or 
abuse.
    (3) Unaccompanied Alien Child (UAC) has the meaning provided in 6 
U.S.C. 279(g)(2), that is, a child who has no lawful immigration status 
in the United States and who has not attained 18 years of age; and with 
respect to whom: There is no parent or legal guardian present in the 
United States; or no parent or legal guardian in the United States is 
available to provide care and physical custody. An individual may meet 
the definition of UAC without meeting the definition of minor.
    (4) Custody means within the physical and legal control of an 
institution or person.
    (5) Emergency means an act or event (including, but not limited to, 
a natural disaster, facility fire, civil disturbance, or medical or 
public health concerns at one or more facilities) that prevents timely 
transport or placement of minors, or impacts other conditions provided 
by this section.
    (6) Escape-risk means that there is a serious risk that the minor 
will attempt to escape from custody. Factors to consider when 
determining whether a minor is an escape-risk include, but are not 
limited to, whether:
    (i) The minor is currently subject to a final order of removal;
    (ii) The minor's immigration history includes: A prior breach of 
bond, a failure to appear before DHS or the immigration courts, 
evidence that the minor is indebted to organized smugglers for his 
transport, or a voluntary departure or previous removal from the United 
States pursuant to a final order of removal; or
    (iii) The minor has previously absconded or attempted to abscond 
from state or federal custody.
    (7) Family unit means a group of two or more aliens consisting of a 
minor or minors accompanied by his/her/their adult parent(s) or legal 
guardian(s). In determining the existence of a parental relationship or 
a legal guardianship for purposes of this definition, DHS will consider 
all available reliable evidence. If DHS determines that there is 
insufficient reliable evidence available that confirms the 
relationship, the minor will be treated as a UAC.
    (8) Family Residential Center means a facility used by ICE for the 
detention of Family Units.
    (9) Licensed Facility means an ICE detention facility that is 
licensed by the state, county, or municipality in which it is located, 
if such a licensing scheme exists. Licensed facilities shall comply 
with all applicable state child welfare laws and regulations and all 
state and local building, fire, health, and safety codes. If a 
licensing scheme for the detention of minors accompanied by a parent or 
legal guardian is not available in the state, county, or municipality 
in which an ICE detention facility is located, DHS shall employ an 
entity outside of DHS that has relevant audit experience to ensure 
compliance with the family residential standards established by ICE.
    (10) Influx means a situation in which there are, at any given 
time, more than 130 minors or UACs eligible for placement in a licensed 
facility under this section or corresponding provisions of ORR 
regulations, including those who have been so placed or are awaiting 
such placement.
    (11) Non-Secure Facility means a facility that meets the definition 
of non-secure in the state in which the facility is located. If no such 
definition of non-secure exists under state law, a DHS facility shall 
be deemed non-secure if egress from a portion of the facility's 
building is not prohibited through internal locks within the building 
or exterior locks and egress from the facility's premises is not 
prohibited through secure fencing around the perimeter of the building.
    (12) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) means the U.S. Department 
of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, 
Office of Refugee Resettlement.
    (c) Age Determination. (1) For purposes of exercising the 
authorities described in this part, DHS shall determine the age of an 
alien in accordance with 8 U.S.C. 1232(b)(4). Age determination 
decisions shall be based upon the totality of the evidence and 
circumstances.
    (2) If a reasonable person would conclude that an individual is an 
adult, despite his or her claim to be under the age of 18, DHS may 
treat such person as an adult for all purposes, including confinement 
and release on bond, recognizance, or other conditions of release. In 
making this determination, an immigration officer may require such an 
individual to submit to a medical or dental examination conducted by a 
medical professional or other appropriate procedures to verify his or 
her age.
    (3) If an individual previously considered to have been an adult is 
subsequently determined to be a under the age of 18, DHS will then 
treat such individual as a minor or UAC as prescribed by this section.
    (d) Determining whether an alien is a UAC. (1) Immigration officers 
will make a determination as to whether an alien under the age of 18 is 
a UAC at the time of encounter or apprehension and prior to the 
detention or release of such alien.
    (2) When an alien previously determined to have been a UAC has 
reached the age of 18, when a parent or legal guardian in the United 
States is available to provide care and physical custody for such an 
alien, or when such alien has obtained lawful immigration status, the 
alien is no longer a UAC. An alien who is no longer a UAC is not 
eligible to receive legal protections limited to UACs under the 
relevant sections of the Act. Nothing in this paragraph affects USCIS' 
independent

[[Page 45526]]

determination of its initial jurisdiction over asylum applications 
filed by UACs pursuant to section 208(b)(3)(C) of the Act.
    (3) Age-out procedures. When an alien previously determined to have 
been a UAC is no longer a UAC because he or she turns eighteen years 
old, relevant ORR and ICE procedures shall apply.
    (e) Transfer of minors who are not UACs from one facility to 
another. (1) In the case of an influx or emergency, as defined in 
paragraph (b) of this section, DHS will transfer a minor who is not a 
UAC, and who does not meet the criteria for secure detention pursuant 
to paragraph (i)(1)of this section, to a licensed facility as defined 
in paragraph (b)(9) of this section, which is non-secure, as 
expeditiously as possible. Otherwise, to the extent consistent with law 
or court order, DHS will transfer such minor within three (3) days, if 
the minor was apprehended in a district in which a licensed program is 
located, or within five (5) days in all other cases.
    (2) In the case of an emergency or influx, DHS will abide by 
written guidance detailing all reasonable efforts that it will take to 
transfer all minors who are not UACs as expeditiously as possible.
    (f) Transfer of UACs from DHS to HHS. (1) All UACs apprehended by 
DHS, except those who are subject to the terms of 8 U.S.C. 1232(a)(2), 
will be transferred to ORR for care, custody, and placement in 
accordance with 6 U.S.C. 279 and 8 U.S.C. 1232.
    (2) DHS will notify ORR within 48 hours upon the apprehension or 
discovery of a UAC or any claim or suspicion that an unaccompanied 
alien detained in DHS custody is under 18 years of age.
    (3) Unless exceptional circumstances are present, DHS will transfer 
custody of a UAC as soon as practicable after receiving notification of 
an ORR placement, but no later than 72 hours after determining that the 
minor is a UAC per paragraph (d) of this section. In the case of 
exceptional circumstances, DHS will abide by written guidance detailing 
the efforts that it will take to transfer all UACs as required by law.
    (4) Conditions of transfer. (i) A UAC will not be transported with 
an unrelated detained adult(s) unless the UAC is being transported from 
the place of apprehension to a DHS facility or if separate 
transportation is otherwise impractical or unavailable.
    (ii) When separate transportation is impractical or unavailable, 
necessary precautions will be taken to ensure the UAC's safety, 
security, and well-being. If a UAC is transported with any unrelated 
detained adult(s), DHS will separate the UAC from the unrelated 
adult(s) to the extent operationally feasible and take necessary 
precautions for protection of the UAC's safety, security, and well-
being.
    (g) DHS procedures in the apprehension and processing of minors or 
UACs.
    (1) Processing. (i) Notice of rights and request for disposition. 
Every minor or UAC who enters DHS custody, including minors and UACs 
who request voluntary departure or request to withdraw their 
application for admission, will be issued a Form I-770, Notice of 
Rights and Request for Disposition, which will include a statement that 
the minor or UAC may make a telephone call to a parent, close relative, 
or friend. If the minor or UAC is believed to be less than 14 years of 
age, or is unable to comprehend the information contained in the Form 
I-770, the notice shall be read and explained to the minor or UAC in a 
language and manner that he or she understands. In the event that a 
minor or UAC is no longer amenable to voluntary departure or to a 
withdrawal of an application for admission, the minor or UAC will be 
issued a new Form I-770 or the Form I-770 will be updated, as needed.
    (ii) Notice of Right to Judicial Review. Every minor who is not a 
UAC who is transferred to or remains in a DHS detention facility will 
be provided with a Notice of Right to Judicial Review, which informs 
the minor of his or her right to seek judicial review in United States 
District Court with jurisdiction and venue over the matter if the minor 
believes that his or her detention does not comply with the terms of 
paragraph (i) of this section.
    (iii) Current List of Counsel. Every minor who is not a UAC who is 
transferred to or remains in a DHS detention facility will be provided 
the free legal service provider list, prepared pursuant to section 
239(b)(2) of the Act.
    (2) DHS custodial care immediately following apprehension. (i) 
Following the apprehension of a minor or UAC, DHS will process the 
minor or UAC as expeditiously as possible. Consistent with 6 CFR 
115.114, minors and UACs shall be held in the least restrictive setting 
appropriate to the minor or UAC's age and special needs, provided that 
such setting is consistent with the need to protect the minor or UAC's 
well-being and that of others, as well as with any other laws, 
regulations, or legal requirements. DHS will hold minors and UACs in 
facilities that are safe and sanitary and that are consistent with 
DHS's concern for their particular vulnerability. Facilities will 
provide access to toilets and sinks, drinking water and food as 
appropriate, access to emergency medical assistance as needed, and 
adequate temperature and ventilation. DHS will provide adequate 
supervision and will provide contact with family members arrested with 
the minor or UAC in consideration of the safety and well-being of the 
minor or UAC, and operational feasibility. UACs generally will be held 
separately from unrelated adult detainees in accordance with 6 CFR 
115.14(b) and 6 CFR 115.114(b). In the event that such separation is 
not immediately possible, UACs in facilities covered by 6 CFR 115.114 
may be housed with an unrelated adult for no more than 24 hours except 
in the case of an emergency or other exigent circumstances.
    (ii) Consistent with the statutory requirements, DHS will transfer 
UACs to HHS in accordance with the procedures described in paragraph 
(f) of this section.
    (h) Detention of family units. DHS's policy is to maintain family 
unity, including by detaining families together where appropriate and 
consistent with law and available resources. If DHS determines that 
detention of a family unit is required by law, or is otherwise 
appropriate, the family unit may be transferred to a Family Residential 
Center which is a licensed facility and non-secure.
    (i) Detention of minors who are not UACs in DHS custody. In any 
case in which DHS does not release a minor who is not a UAC, said minor 
shall remain in DHS detention. Consistent with 6 CFR 115.14, minors 
shall be detained in the least restrictive setting appropriate to the 
minor's age and special needs, provided that such setting is consistent 
with the need to ensure the minor's timely appearance before DHS and 
the immigration courts and to protect the minor's well-being and that 
of others, as well as with any other laws, regulations, or legal 
requirements. The minor shall be placed temporarily in a licensed 
facility, which will be non-secure, until such time as release can be 
effected or until the minor's immigration proceedings are concluded, 
whichever occurs earlier. If immigration proceedings are concluded and 
result in a final order of removal, DHS will detain the minor for the 
purpose of removal. If immigration proceedings result in a grant of 
relief or protection from removal where both parties have waived appeal 
or the appeal period defined in 8 CFR

[[Page 45527]]

1003.38(b) has expired, DHS will release the minor.
    (1) A minor who is not a UAC referenced under this paragraph may be 
held in or transferred to a suitable state or county juvenile detention 
facility, or a secure DHS detention facility, or DHS contracted 
facility having separate accommodations for minors, whenever the Field 
Office Director and the ICE supervisory or management personnel have 
probable cause to believe that the minor:
    (i) Has been charged with, is chargeable with, or has been 
convicted of a crime or crimes, or is the subject of delinquency 
proceedings, has been adjudicated delinquent, or is chargeable with a 
delinquent act or acts, that fit within a pattern or practice of 
criminal activity;
    (ii) Has been charged with, is chargeable with, or has been 
convicted of a crime or crimes, or is the subject of delinquency 
proceedings, has been adjudicated delinquent, or is chargeable with a 
delinquent act or acts, that involve violence against a person or the 
use or carrying of a weapon;
    (iii) Has committed, or has made credible threats to commit, a 
violent or malicious act (whether directed at himself or others) while 
in federal or state government custody or while in the presence of an 
immigration officer;
    (iv) Has engaged, while in the licensed facility, in conduct that 
has proven to be unacceptably disruptive of the normal functioning of 
the licensed facility in which the minor has been placed and transfer 
to another facility is necessary to ensure the welfare of the minor or 
others, as determined by the staff of the licensed facility;
    (v) Is determined to be an escape-risk pursuant to paragraph (b)(6) 
of this section; or
    (vi) Must be held in a secure facility for his or her own safety.
    (2) DHS will not place a minor who is not a UAC in a secure 
facility pursuant to paragraph (i)(1) if there are less restrictive 
alternatives that are available and appropriate in the circumstances, 
such as transfer to a facility which would provide intensive staff 
supervision and counseling services or another licensed facility. All 
determinations to place a minor in a secure facility will be reviewed 
and approved by the Juvenile Coordinator referenced in paragraph (o) of 
this section. Secure facilities shall permit attorney-client visits in 
accordance with applicable facility rules and regulations.
    (3) Non-secure facility. Unless a secure facility is otherwise 
authorized pursuant to this section, ICE facilities used for the 
detention of minors who are not UACs shall be non-secure facilities.
    (4) Standards. Non-secure, licensed ICE facilities to which minors 
who are not UACs are transferred pursuant to the procedures in 
paragraph (e) of this section shall abide by applicable standards 
established by ICE. At a minimum, such standards shall include 
provisions or arrangements for the following services for each minor 
who is not a UAC in its care:
    (i) Proper physical care and maintenance, including suitable 
living, accommodations, food, appropriate clothing, and personal 
grooming items;
    (ii) Appropriate routine medical and dental care, family planning 
services, and emergency health care services, including a complete 
medical examination (including screening for infectious disease) within 
48 hours of admission, excluding weekends and holidays, unless the 
minor was recently examined at another facility; appropriate 
immunizations in accordance with the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS), 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; administration of 
prescribed medication and special diets; appropriate mental health 
interventions when necessary;
    (iii) An individualized needs assessment which includes:
    (A) Various initial intake forms;
    (B) Essential data relating to the identification and history of 
the minor and family;
    (C) Identification of the minor's special needs including any 
specific problem(s) which appear to require immediate intervention;
    (D) An educational assessment and plan;
    (E) An assessment of family relationships and interaction with 
adults, peers and authority figures;
    (F) A statement of religious preference and practice;
    (G) An assessment of the minor's personal goals, strengths and 
weaknesses; and
    (H) Identifying information regarding immediate family members, 
other relatives, godparents, or friends who may be residing in the 
United States and may be able to assist in family reunification;
    (iv) Educational services appropriate to the minor's level of 
development and communication skills in a structured classroom setting, 
Monday through Friday, which concentrates primarily on the development 
of basic academic competencies and secondarily on English Language 
Training (ELT). The educational program should include subjects similar 
to those found in U.S. programs and include science, social studies, 
math, reading, writing, and physical education. The program design 
should be appropriate for the minor's estimated length of stay and can 
include the necessary skills appropriate for transition into a U.S. 
school district. The program should also include acculturation and 
adaptation services which include information regarding the development 
of social and inter-personal skills that contribute to those abilities 
as age appropriate;
    (v) Appropriate reading materials in languages other than English 
for use during the minor's leisure time;
    (vi) Activities according to a recreation and leisure time plan 
which shall include daily outdoor activity, weather permitting, at 
least one hour per day of large muscle activity and one hour per day of 
structured leisure time activities (this should not include time spent 
watching television). Activities should be increased to a total of 
three hours on days when school is not in session;
    (vii) At least one individual counseling session or mental health 
wellness interaction (if the minor does not want to participate in a 
counseling session) per week conducted by trained social work staff 
with the specific objectives of reviewing the minor's progress, 
establishing new short-term objectives, and addressing both the 
developmental and crisis-related needs of each minor;
    (viii) Group counseling sessions at least twice a week. This is 
usually an informal process and takes place with all the minors present 
and can be held in conjunction with other structured activities. It is 
a time when new minors present in the facility are given the 
opportunity to get acquainted with the staff, other children, and the 
rules of the program. It is an open forum where everyone gets a chance 
to speak. Daily program management is discussed and decisions are made 
about recreational activities, etc. It is a time for staff and minors 
to discuss whatever is on their minds and to resolve problems;
    (ix) Upon admission, a comprehensive orientation regarding program 
intent, services, rules (written and verbal), expectations and the 
availability of legal assistance;
    (x) Whenever possible, access to religious services of the minor's 
choice;
    (xi) Visitation and contact with family members (regardless of 
their immigration status) which is structured to encourage such 
visitation. The staff shall respect the minor's privacy while 
reasonably preventing the unauthorized release of the minor and 
preventing the transfer of contraband;

[[Page 45528]]

    (xii) A reasonable right to privacy, which shall include the right 
to:
    (A) Wear his or her own clothes, when available;
    (B) Retain a private space in the residential facility for the 
storage of personal belongings;
    (C) Talk privately on the phone, as permitted by applicable 
facility rules and regulations;
    (D) Visit privately with guests, as permitted by applicable 
facility rules and regulations; and
    (E) Receive and send uncensored mail unless there is a reasonable 
belief that the mail contains contraband.
    (xiii) When necessary, communication with adult relatives living in 
the United States and in foreign countries regarding legal issues 
related to the release and/or removal of the minor;
    (xiv) Legal services information regarding the availability of free 
legal assistance, the right to be represented by counsel at no expense 
to the Government, the right to apply for asylum or to request 
voluntary departure; and
    (xv) Attorney-client visits in accordance with applicable facility 
rules and regulations.
    (5) In the event of an emergency, a licensed, non-secure facility 
described in paragraph (i) of this section may transfer temporary 
physical custody of a minor prior to securing permission from DHS, but 
shall notify DHS of the transfer as soon as is practicable thereafter, 
but in all cases within 8 hours.
    (j) Release of minors from DHS custody. DHS will make and record 
prompt and continuous efforts on its part toward the release of the 
minor. If DHS determines that detention of a minor who is not a UAC is 
not required to secure the minor's timely appearance before DHS or the 
immigration court, or to ensure the minor's safety or the safety of 
others, the minor may be released, as provided under existing statutes 
and regulations, pursuant to the procedures set forth in this 
paragraph.
    (1) DHS will release a minor from custody to a parent or legal 
guardian who is available to provide care and physical custody.
    (2) Prior to releasing to a parent or legal guardian, DHS will use 
all available reliable evidence to determine whether the relationship 
is bona fide. If no reliable evidence is available that confirms the 
relationship, the minor will be treated as a UAC and transferred into 
the custody of HHS as outlined in paragraph (f) of this section.
    (3) For minors in DHS custody, DHS shall assist without undue delay 
in making transportation arrangements to the DHS office nearest the 
location of the person to whom a minor is to be released. DHS may, in 
its discretion, provide transportation to minors.
    (4) Nothing herein shall require DHS to release a minor to any 
person or agency whom DHS has reason to believe may harm or neglect the 
minor or fail to present him or her before DHS or the immigration 
courts when requested to do so.
    (k) Procedures upon transfer.--(1) Possessions. Whenever a minor or 
UAC is transferred from one ICE placement to another, or from an ICE 
placement to an ORR placement, he or she will be transferred with all 
possessions and legal papers; provided, however, that if the minor or 
UAC's possessions exceed the amount normally permitted by the carrier 
in use, the possessions shall be shipped to the minor or UAC in a 
timely manner.
    (2) Notice to counsel. A minor or UAC who is represented will not 
be transferred from one ICE placement to another, or from an ICE 
placement to an ORR placement, until notice is provided to his or her 
counsel, except in unusual and compelling circumstances, such as where 
the safety of the minor or UAC or others is threatened or the minor or 
UAC has been determined to be an escape-risk, or where counsel has 
waived such notice. In unusual and compelling circumstances, notice 
will be sent to counsel within 24 hours following the transfer.
    (l) Notice to parent of refusal of release or application for 
relief. (1) A parent shall be notified of any of the following requests 
if the parent is present in the United States and can reasonably be 
contacted, unless such notification is otherwise prohibited by law or 
DHS determines that notification of the parent would pose a risk to the 
minor's safety or well-being:
    (i) A minor or UAC in DHS custody refuses to be released to his or 
her parent; or
    (ii) A minor or a UAC seeks release from DHS custody or seeks 
voluntary departure or a withdrawal of an application for admission, 
parole, or any form of relief from removal before DHS, and that the 
grant of such request or relief may effectively terminate some interest 
inherent in the parent-child relationship and/or the minor or UAC's 
rights and interests are adverse with those of the parent.
    (2) Upon notification, the parent will be afforded an opportunity 
to present his or her views and assert his or her interest to DHS 
before a determination is made as to the merits of the request for 
relief.
    (m) Bond hearings. Bond determinations made by DHS for minors who 
are in removal proceedings pursuant to section 240 of the Act and who 
are also in DHS custody may be reviewed by an immigration judge 
pursuant to 8 CFR part 1236 to the extent permitted by 8 CFR 1003.19. 
Minors in DHS custody who are not in section 240 proceedings are 
ineligible to seek review by an immigration judge of their DHS custody 
determinations.
    (n) Retaking custody of a previously released minor. (1) In 
addition to the ability to make a UAC determination upon each encounter 
as set forth in paragraph (c) of this section, DHS may take a minor 
back into custody if there is a material change in circumstances 
indicating the minor is an escape-risk, a danger to the community, or 
has a final order of removal. If the minor is accompanied, DHS shall 
place the minor in accordance with paragraphs (e) and (i) of this 
section. If the minor is a UAC, DHS shall transfer the minor into HHS 
custody in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section.
    (2) DHS may take a minor back into custody if there is no longer a 
parent or legal guardian available to care for the minor. In these 
cases, DHS will treat the minor as a UAC and transfer custody to HHS as 
outlined in paragraph (e) of this section.
    (3) Minors who are not UACs and who are taken back into DHS custody 
may request a custody redetermination hearing in accordance with 
paragraph (m) of this section and to the extent permitted by 8 CFR 
1003.19 .
    (o) Monitoring. (1) CBP and ICE each shall identify a Juvenile 
Coordinator for the purpose of monitoring compliance with the terms of 
this section.
    (2) The Juvenile Coordinators shall collect and periodically 
examine relevant statistical information about UACs and minors who 
remain in CBP or ICE custody for longer than 72 hours. Such statistical 
information may include but not necessarily be limited to:
    (i) Biographical information;
    (ii) Dates of custody; and
    (iii) Placements, transfers, removals, or releases from custody, 
including the reasons for a particular placement.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

45 CFR Chapter IV

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, part 410 of Chapter IV 
of title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations is proposed to be 
amended as follows:
0
10. Add part 410 to read as follows:

[[Page 45529]]

PART 410--CARE AND PLACEMENT OF UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN

Subpart A--Care and Placement of Unaccompanied Alien Children
Sec.
410.100 Scope of this part
410.101 Definitions
410.102 ORR care and placement of unaccompanied alien children
Subpart B--Determining the Placement of an Unaccompanied Alien Child
Sec.
410.200 Purpose of this subpart
410.201 Considerations generally applicable to the placement of an 
unaccompanied alien child
410.202 Placement of an unaccompanied alien child in a licensed 
program
410.203 Criteria for placing an unaccompanied alien child in a 
secure facility
410.204 Considerations when determining whether an unaccompanied 
alien child is an escape risk
410.205 Applicability of Sec.  410.203 for placement in a secure 
facility
410.206 Information for unaccompanied alien children concerning the 
reasons for his or her placement in a secure or staff secure 
facility
410.207 Custody of an unaccompanied alien child placed pursuant to 
this subpart
410.208 Special needs minors
410.209 Procedures during an emergency or influx
Subpart C--Releasing an Unaccompanied Alien Child From ORR Custody
Sec.
410.300 Purpose of this subpart
410.301 Sponsors to whom ORR releases an unaccompanied alien child
410.302 Sponsor suitability assessment process requirements leading 
to release of an unaccompanied alien child from ORR custody to a 
sponsor
Subpart D--Licensed Programs
Sec.
410.400 Purpose of this subpart
410.401 Applicability of this subpart
410.402 Minimum standards applicable to licensed programs
410.403 Ensuring that licensed programs are providing services as 
required by these regulations
Subpart E--Transportation of an Unaccompanied Alien Child
Sec.
410.500 Conducting transportation for an unaccompanied alien child 
in ORR's custody
Subpart F--Transfer of an Unaccompanied Alien Child
Sec.
410.600 Principles applicable to transfer of an unaccompanied alien 
child
Subpart G--Age Determinations
Sec.
410.700 Conducting age determinations
410.701 Treatment of an individual who appears to be an adult
Subpart H--Unaccompanied Alien Children's Objections to ORR 
Determinations
Sec.
410.800 Purpose of this Subpart
410.801 Procedures
410.810 Hearings

    Authority:  6 U.S.C. 279, 8 U.S.C. 1103(a)(3), 8 U.S.C. 1232.

Subpart A--Care and Placement of Unaccompanied Alien Children


Sec.  410.100   Scope of this part.

    This part governs those aspects of the care, custody, and placement 
of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) agreed to in the settlement 
agreement reached in Jenny Lisette Flores v. Janet Reno, Attorney 
General of the United States, Case No. CV 85-4544-RJK (C.D. Cal. 1996). 
ORR operates the UAC program as authorized by section 462 of the 
Homeland Security Act of 2002, Public Law 107-296, 6 U.S.C. 279, and 
section 235 of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection 
Reauthorization Act of 2008, Public Law 110-457, 8 U.S.C. 1232. This 
part does not govern or describe the entire program.


Sec.  410.101  Definitions.

    DHS means the Department of Homeland Security.
    Director means the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement 
(ORR), Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health 
and Human Services.
    Emergency means an act or event (including, but not limited to, a 
natural disaster, facility fire, civil disturbance, or medical or 
public health concerns at one or more facilities) that prevents timely 
transport or placement of UACs, or impacts other conditions provided by 
this part.
    Escape risk means there is a serious risk that an unaccompanied 
alien child (UAC) will attempt to escape from custody.
    Influx means a situation in which there are, at any given time, 
more than 130 minors or UACs eligible for placement in a licensed 
facility under this part or corresponding provisions of DHS 
regulations, including those who have been so placed or are awaiting 
such placement.
    Licensed program means any program, agency, or organization that is 
licensed by an appropriate State agency to provide residential, group, 
or foster care services for dependent children, including a program 
operating group homes, foster homes, or facilities for special needs 
UAC. A licensed program must meet the standards set forth in Sec.  
410.402 of this part. All homes and facilities operated by a licensed 
program, including facilities for special needs minors, are non-secure 
as required under State law. However, a facility for special needs 
minors may maintain that level of security permitted under State law 
which is necessary for the protection of a UAC or others in appropriate 
circumstances, e.g., cases in which a UAC has drug or alcohol problems 
or is mentally ill.
    ORR means the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for 
Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services.
    Secure facility means a State or county juvenile detention facility 
or a secure ORR detention facility, or a facility with an ORR contract 
or cooperative agreement having separate accommodations for minors. A 
secure facility does not need to meet the requirements of Sec.  
410.402, and is not defined as a ``licensed program'' or ``shelter'' 
under this Part.
    Shelter means a licensed program that meets the standards set forth 
in Sec.  410.402 of this part.
    Special needs minor means a UAC whose mental and/or physical 
condition requires special services and treatment by staff. A UAC may 
have special needs due to drug or alcohol abuse, serious emotional 
disturbance, mental illness or retardation, or a physical condition or 
chronic illness that requires special services or treatment. A UAC who 
has suffered serious neglect or abuse may be considered a special needs 
minor if the UAC requires special services or treatment as a result of 
neglect or abuse.
    Sponsor, also referred to as custodian, means an individual (or 
entity) to whom ORR releases a UAC out of ORR custody.
    Staff secure facility means a facility that is operated by a 
program, agency or organization licensed by an appropriate State agency 
and that meets the standards for licensed programs set forth in Sec.  
410.402 of this part. A staff secure facility is designed for a UAC who 
requires close supervision but does not need placement in a secure 
facility. It provides 24-hour awake supervision, custody, care, and 
treatment. It maintains stricter security measures, such as intensive 
staff supervision, than a shelter in order to control problem behavior 
and to prevent escape. A staff secure facility may have a secure 
perimeter but is not equipped internally with major restraining 
construction or procedures typically associated with correctional 
facilities.

[[Page 45530]]

    Unaccompanied alien child (UAC) means an individual who: Has no 
lawful immigration status in the United States; has not attained 18 
years of age; and with respect to whom: There is no parent or legal 
guardian in the United States; or no parent or legal guardian in the 
United States is available to provide care and physical custody. When 
an alien previously determined to have been a UAC has reached the age 
of 18, when a parent or legal guardian in the United States is 
available to provide care and physical custody for such an alien, or 
when such alien has obtained lawful immigration status, the alien is no 
longer a UAC. An alien who is no longer a UAC is not eligible to 
receive legal protections limited to UACs.


Sec.  410.102  ORR care and placement of unaccompanied alien children.

    ORR coordinates and implements the care and placement of UAC who 
are in ORR custody by reason of their immigration status.
    For all UAC in ORR custody, DHS and DOJ handle other matters, 
including immigration benefits and enforcement matters, as set forth in 
their respective statutes, regulations and other authorities.
    ORR shall hold UACs in facilities that are safe and sanitary and 
that are consistent with ORR's concern for the particular vulnerability 
of minors.
    Within all placements, UAC shall be treated with dignity, respect, 
and special concern for their particular vulnerability.

Subpart B--Determining the Placement of an Unaccompanied Alien 
Child


Sec.  410.200  Purpose of this subpart.

    This subpart sets forth what ORR considers when placing a UAC in a 
particular ORR facility, in accordance with the Flores settlement 
agreement.


Sec.  410.201   Considerations generally applicable to the placement of 
an unaccompanied alien child.

    (a) ORR places each UAC in the least restrictive setting that is in 
the best interest of the child and appropriate to the UAC's age and 
special needs, provided that such setting is consistent with its 
interests to ensure the UAC's timely appearance before DHS and the 
immigration courts and to protect the UAC's well-being and that of 
others.
    (b) ORR separates UAC from delinquent offenders.
    (c) ORR makes reasonable efforts to provide placements in those 
geographical areas where DHS apprehends the majority of UAC.
    (d) Facilities where ORR places UAC will provide access to toilets 
and sinks, drinking water and food as appropriate, medical assistance 
if the UAC is in need of emergency services, adequate temperature 
control and ventilation, adequate supervision to protect UAC from 
others, and contact with family members who were arrested with the 
minor.
    (e) If there is no appropriate licensed program immediately 
available for placement of a UAC pursuant to Subpart B, and no one to 
whom ORR may release the UAC pursuant to Subpart C, the UAC may be 
placed in an ORR-contracted facility, having separate accommodations 
for minors, or a State or county juvenile detention facility. In 
addition to the requirement that UAC shall be separated from delinquent 
offenders, every effort must be taken to ensure that the safety and 
well-being of the UAC detained in these facilities are satisfactorily 
provided for by the staff. ORR makes all reasonable efforts to place 
each UAC in a licensed program as expeditiously as possible.
    (f) ORR makes and records the prompt and continuous efforts on its 
part toward family reunification. ORR continues such efforts at family 
reunification for as long as the minor is in ORR custody.


Sec.  410.202   Placement of an unaccompanied alien child in a licensed 
program.

    (a) ORR places UAC into a licensed program promptly after a UAC is 
transferred to ORR legal custody, except in the following 
circumstances:
    (1) UAC meeting the criteria for placement in a secure facility set 
forth in Sec.  410.203 of this part;
    (2) As otherwise required by any court decree or court-approved 
settlement; or,
    (3) In the event of an emergency or influx of UAC into the United 
States, in which case ORR places the UAC as expeditiously as possible 
in accordance with Sec.  410.209 of this part; or
    (4) If a reasonable person would conclude that the UAC is an adult 
despite his or her claims to be a minor.


Sec.  410.203  Criteria for placing an unaccompanied alien child in a 
secure facility.

    (a) Notwithstanding Sec.  410.202 of this part, ORR may place a UAC 
in a secure facility if the UAC:
    (1) Has been charged with, is chargeable, or has been convicted of 
a crime, or is the subject of delinquency proceedings, has been 
adjudicated delinquent, or is chargeable with a delinquent act, and 
where ORR deems those circumstances demonstrate that the UAC poses a 
danger to self or others. ``Chargeable'' means that ORR has probable 
cause to believe that the UAC has committed a specified offense. This 
provision does not apply to a UAC whose offense is:
    (i) An isolated offense that was not within a pattern or practice 
of criminal activity and did not involve violence against a person or 
the use or carrying of a weapon; or
    (ii) A petty offense, which is not considered grounds for stricter 
means of detention in any case;
    (2) While in DHS or ORR's custody or while in the presence of an 
immigration officer, has committed, or has made credible threats to 
commit, a violent or malicious act (whether directed at himself/herself 
or others);
    (3) Has engaged, while in a licensed program or staff secure 
facility, in conduct that has proven to be unacceptably disruptive of 
the normal functioning of the licensed program or staff secure facility 
in which he or she has been placed and removal is necessary to ensure 
the welfare of the UAC or others, as determined by the staff of the 
licensed program or staff secure facility (e.g., drug or alcohol abuse, 
stealing, fighting, intimidation of others, or sexually predatory 
behavior), and ORR determines the UAC poses a danger to self or others 
based on such conduct;
    (4) For purposes of placement in a secure RTC, if a licensed 
psychologist or psychiatrist determines that the UAC poses a risk of 
harm to self or others.
    (5) Is otherwise a danger to self or others.
    (b) ORR Federal Field Specialists review and approve all placements 
of UAC in secure facilities consistent with legal requirements.


Sec.  410.204  Considerations when determining whether an unaccompanied 
alien child is an escape risk.

    When determining whether a UAC is an escape risk, ORR considers, 
among other factors, whether:
    (a) The UAC is currently under a final order of removal;
    (b) The UAC's immigration history includes:
    (1) A prior breach of a bond;
    (2) A failure to appear before DHS or the immigration court;
    (3) Evidence that the UAC is indebted to organized smugglers for 
his or her transport; or
    (4) A voluntary departure or a previous removal from the United 
States pursuant to a final order of removal; and
    (c) The UAC has previously absconded or attempted to abscond from 
state or federal custody.

[[Page 45531]]

Sec.  410.205  Applicability of Sec.  410.203 for placement in a secure 
facility.

    ORR does not place a UAC in a secure facility pursuant to Sec.  
410.203 of this part if less restrictive alternatives are available and 
appropriate under the circumstances. ORR may place a UAC in a staff 
secure facility or another licensed program as an alternative to a 
secure facility.


Sec.  410.206   Information for unaccompanied alien children concerning 
the reasons for his or her placement in a secure or staff secure 
facility.

    Within a reasonable period of time, ORR provides each UAC placed or 
transferred to a secure or staff secure facility with a notice of the 
reasons for the placement in a language the UAC understands.


Sec.  410.207  Custody of an unaccompanied alien child placed pursuant 
to this subpart.

    A UAC who is placed in a licensed program pursuant to this subpart 
remains in the custody of ORR, and may only be transferred or released 
under its authority. However, in the event of an emergency, a licensed 
program may transfer temporarily the physical placement of a UAC prior 
to securing permission from ORR, but must notify ORR of the transfer as 
soon as possible, but in all cases within eight hours of the transfer. 
Upon release to an approved sponsor, a UAC is no longer in the custody 
of ORR.


Sec.  410.208  Special needs minors.

    ORR assesses each UAC to determine if he or she has special needs, 
and if so, places the UAC, whenever possible, in a licensed program in 
which ORR places unaccompanied alien children without special needs, 
but which provides services and treatment for such special needs.


Sec.  410.209   Procedures during an emergency or influx.

    In the event of an emergency or influx that prevents the prompt 
placement of UAC in licensed programs, ORR makes all reasonable efforts 
to place each UAC in a licensed program as expeditiously as possible 
using the following procedures:
    (a) ORR maintains an emergency placement list of at least 80 beds 
at programs licensed by an appropriate state agency that are 
potentially available to accept emergency placements.
    (b) ORR implements its contingency plan on emergencies and 
influxes.
    (c) Within one business day of the emergency or influx, ORR, if 
necessary, contacts the programs on the emergency placement list to 
determine available placements. To the extent practicable, ORR will 
attempt to locate emergency placements in geographic areas where 
culturally and linguistically appropriate community services are 
available.
    (d) In the event that the number of UAC needing placement exceeds 
the available appropriate placements on the emergency placement list, 
ORR works with governmental and nongovernmental organizations to locate 
additional placements through licensed programs, county social services 
departments, and foster family agencies.
    (e) ORR maintains a list of UAC affected by the emergency or influx 
including each UAC's:
    (1) Name;
    (2) Date and country of birth;
    (3) Date of placement in ORR's custody; and
    (4) Place and date of current placement.
    (f) Each year ORR reevaluates the number of regular placements 
needed for UAC to determine whether the number of regular placements 
should be adjusted to accommodate an increased or decreased number of 
UAC eligible for placement in licensed programs.

Subpart C--Releasing an Unaccompanied Alien Child From ORR Custody


Sec.  410.300  Purpose of this subpart.

    This subpart covers the policies and procedures used to release, 
without unnecessary delay, a UAC from ORR custody to an approved 
sponsor.


Sec.  410.301   Sponsors to whom ORR releases an unaccompanied alien 
child.

    (a) ORR releases a UAC to an approved sponsor without unnecessary 
delay, but may continue to retain custody of a UAC if ORR determines 
that continued custody is necessary to ensure the UAC's safety or the 
safety of others, or that continued custody is required to secure the 
UAC's timely appearance before DHS or the immigration courts.
    (b) When ORR releases a UAC without unnecessary delay to an 
approved sponsor, it releases in the following order of preference:
    (1) A parent;
    (2) A legal guardian;
    (3) An adult relative (brother, sister, aunt, uncle, or 
grandparent);
    (4) An adult individual or entity designated by the parent or legal 
guardian as capable and willing to care for the UAC's well-being in:
    (i) A declaration signed under penalty of perjury before an 
immigration or consular officer, or
    (ii) Such other document that establishes to the satisfaction of 
ORR, in its discretion, the affiant's parental relationship or 
guardianship;
    (5) A licensed program willing to accept legal custody; or
    (6) An adult individual or entity seeking custody, in the 
discretion of ORR, when it appears that there is no other likely 
alternative to long term custody, and family reunification does not 
appear to be a reasonable possibility.


Sec.  410.302   Sponsor suitability assessment process requirements 
leading to release of an unaccompanied alien child from Federal custody 
to a proposed sponsor.

    (a) The licensed program providing care for the UAC shall make and 
record the prompt and continuous efforts on its part towards family 
reunification and the release of the UAC pursuant to the provisions of 
this section.
    (b) ORR requires a background check, including verification of 
identity and which may include verification of employment of the 
individuals offering support, prior to release.
    (c) ORR also may require further suitability assessment, which may 
include interviews of members of the household, investigation of the 
living conditions in which the UAC would be placed and the standard of 
care he or she would receive, a home visit, a fingerprint-based 
background and criminal records check on the prospective sponsor and on 
adult residents of the prospective sponsor's household, and follow-up 
visits after release. Any such assessment also takes into consideration 
the wishes and concerns of the UAC.
    (d) If the conditions identified in TVPRA at 8 U.S.C. 1232(c)(3)(B) 
are met, and require a home study, no release to a sponsor may occur in 
the absence of such a home study.
    (e) The proposed sponsor must sign an affidavit of support and a 
custodial release agreement of the conditions of release. The custodial 
release agreement requires that the sponsor:
    (1) Provide for the UAC's physical, mental, and financial well-
being;
    (2) Ensure the UAC's presence at all future proceedings before DHS 
and the immigration courts;
    (3) Ensure the UAC reports for removal from the United States if so 
ordered;
    (4) Notify ORR, DHS, and the Executive Office for Immigration 
Review of any change of address within five days following a move;
    (5) Notify ORR and DHS at least five days prior to the sponsor's 
departure from the United States, whether the departure is voluntary or 
pursuant to a grant of voluntary departure or an order of removal;

[[Page 45532]]

    (6) Notify ORR and DHS if dependency proceedings involving the UAC 
are initiated and also notify the dependency court of any immigration 
proceedings pending against the UAC;
    (7) Receive written permission from ORR if the sponsor decides to 
transfer legal custody of the UAC to someone else. Also, in the event 
of an emergency (e.g., serious illness or destruction of the home), a 
sponsor may transfer temporary physical custody of the UAC prior to 
securing permission from ORR, but the sponsor must notify ORR as soon 
as possible and no later than 72 hours after the transfer; and
    (8) Notify ORR and DHS as soon as possible and no later than 24 
hours of learning that the UAC has disappeared, has been threatened, or 
has been contacted in any way by an individual or individuals believed 
to represent an immigrant smuggling syndicate or organized crime.
    (f) ORR is not required to release a UAC to any person or agency it 
has reason to believe may harm or neglect the UAC or fail to present 
him or her before DHS or the immigration courts when requested to do 
so.

Subpart D--Licensed Programs


Sec.  410.400  Purpose of this subpart.

    This subpart covers the standards that licensed programs must meet 
in keeping with the principles UACs in custody with dignity, respect 
and special concern for their particular vulnerability


Sec.  410.401  Applicability of this subpart.

    This subpart applies to all licensed programs, regardless of 
whether they are providing care in shelters, staff secure facilities, 
residential treatment centers, or foster care and group home settings.


Sec.  410.402  Minimum standards applicable to licensed programs.

    Licensed programs must:
    (a) Be licensed by an appropriate State agency to provide 
residential, group, or foster care services for dependent children.
    (b) Comply with all applicable state child welfare laws and 
regulations and all state and local building, fire, health and safety 
codes;
    (c) Provide or arrange for the following services for each UAC in 
care, including:
    (1) Proper physical care and maintenance, including suitable living 
accommodations, food, appropriate clothing, and personal grooming 
items;
    (2) Appropriate routine medical and dental care, family planning 
services, and emergency health care services, including a complete 
medical examination (including screening for infectious disease) within 
48 hours of admission, excluding weekends and holidays, unless the UAC 
was recently examined at another facility; appropriate immunizations in 
accordance with the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS), Center for 
Disease Control; administration of prescribed medication and special 
diets; appropriate mental health interventions when necessary;
    (3) An individualized needs assessment that must include:
    (i) Various initial intake forms;
    (ii) Essential data relating to the identification and history of 
the UAC and family;
    (iii) Identification of the UAC's special needs including any 
specific problems that appear to require immediate intervention;
    (iv) An educational assessment and plan;
    (v) An assessment of family relationships and interaction with 
adults, peers and authority figures;
    (vi) A statement of religious preference and practice;
    (vii) An assessment of the UAC's personal goals, strengths and 
weaknesses; and
    (viii) Identifying information regarding immediate family members, 
other relatives, godparents or friends who may be residing in the 
United States and may be able to assist in family reunification; and
    (4) Educational services appropriate to the UAC's level of 
development and communication skills in a structured classroom setting, 
Monday through Friday, which concentrate primarily on the development 
of basic academic competencies and secondarily on English Language 
Training (ELT), including:
    (i) Instruction and educational and other reading materials in such 
languages as needed;
    (ii) Instruction in basic academic areas that include science, 
social studies, math, reading, writing, and physical education; and
    (iii) The provision to a UAC of appropriate reading materials in 
languages other than English for use during the UAC's leisure time;
    (5) Activities according to a recreation and leisure time plan that 
include daily outdoor activity, weather permitting, at least one hour 
per day of large muscle activity and one hour per day of structured 
leisure time activities, which do not include time spent watching 
television. Activities must be increased to at least three hours on 
days when school is not in session;
    (6) At least one individual counseling session per week conducted 
by trained social work staff with the specific objectives of reviewing 
the UAC's progress, establishing new short-term objectives, and 
addressing both the developmental and crisis-related needs of each UAC;
    (7) Group counseling sessions at least twice a week. This is 
usually an informal process and takes place with all the UACs present. 
This is a time when new UACs are given the opportunity to get 
acquainted with the staff, other children, and the rules of the 
program. It is an open forum where everyone gets a chance to speak. 
Daily program management is discussed and decisions are made about 
recreational and other program activities, etc. This is a time for 
staff and UACs to discuss whatever is on their minds and to resolve 
problems;
    (8) Acculturation and adaptation services that include information 
regarding the development of social and inter-personal skills that 
contribute to those abilities necessary to live independently and 
responsibly;
    (9) Upon admission, a comprehensive orientation regarding program 
intent, services, rules (provided in writing and verbally), 
expectations and the availability of legal assistance;
    (10) Whenever possible, access to religious services of the UAC's 
choice;
    (11) Visitation and contact with family members (regardless of 
their immigration status) which is structured to encourage such 
visitation. The staff must respect the UAC's privacy while reasonably 
preventing the unauthorized release of the UAC;
    (12) A reasonable right to privacy, which must include the right 
to:
    (i) Wear his or her own clothes, when available;
    (ii) Retain a private space in the residential facility, group or 
foster home for the storage of personal belongings;
    (iii) Talk privately on the phone, as permitted by the house rules 
and regulations;
    (iv) Visit privately with guests, as permitted by the house rules 
and regulations; and
    (v) Receive and send uncensored mail unless there is a reasonable 
belief that the mail contains contraband;
    (13) Family reunification services designed to identify relatives 
in the United States as well as in foreign countries and assistance in 
obtaining legal guardianship when necessary for release of the UAC; and
    (14) Legal services information regarding the availability of free 
legal assistance, the right to be represented by counsel at no expense 
to the government, the right to a removal hearing before an immigration 
judge, the

[[Page 45533]]

right to apply for asylum or to request voluntary departure in lieu of 
removal;
    (d) Deliver services in a manner that is sensitive to the age, 
culture, native language and the complex needs of each UAC;
    (e) Formulate program rules and discipline standards with 
consideration for the range of ages and maturity in the program and 
that are culturally sensitive to the needs of each UAC to ensure the 
following:
    (1) UAC must not be subjected to corporal punishment, humiliation, 
mental abuse, or punitive interference with the daily functions of 
living, such as eating or sleeping: and
    (2) Any sanctions employed must not:
    (i) Adversely affect either a UAC's health, or physical or 
psychological well-being; or
    (ii) Deny UAC regular meals, sufficient sleep, exercise, medical 
care, correspondence privileges, or legal assistance;
    (f) Develop a comprehensive and realistic individual plan for the 
care of each UAC in accordance with the UAC's needs as determined by 
the individualized needs assessment. Individual plans must be 
implemented and closely coordinated through an operative case 
management system;
    (g) Develop, maintain and safeguard individual client case records. 
Licensed programs must develop a system of accountability that 
preserves the confidentiality of client information and protects the 
records from unauthorized use or disclosure; and
    (h) Maintain adequate records and make regular reports as required 
by ORR that permit ORR to monitor and enforce these regulations and 
other requirements and standards as ORR may determine are in the 
interests of the UAC.


Sec.  410.403  Ensuring that licensed programs are providing services 
as required by these regulations.

    ORR monitors compliance with the terms of these regulations.

Subpart E--Transportation of an Unaccompanied Alien Child


Sec.  410.500  Conducting transportation for an unaccompanied alien 
child in ORR's custody.

    (a) ORR does not transport UAC with adult detainees.
    (b) When ORR plans to release a UAC from its custody under the 
family reunification provisions at sections 410.201 and 410.302 of this 
part, ORR assists without undue delay in making transportation 
arrangements. ORR may, in its discretion, provide transportation to 
UAC.

Subpart F--Provisions for Transfer of an Unaccompanied Alien Child


Sec.  410.600  Principles applicable to transfer of an unaccompanied 
alien child.

    (a) ORR transfers a UAC from one placement to another with all of 
his or her possessions and legal papers. ORR takes all necessary 
precautions for the protection of UACs during transportation with 
adults.
    (b) If the UAC's possessions exceed the amount permitted normally 
by the carrier in use, the possessions are shipped to the UAC in a 
timely manner.
    (c) ORR does not transfer a UAC who is represented by counsel 
without advance notice to his or her legal counsel. However, ORR may 
provide notice to counsel within 24 hours of the transfer in unusual 
and compelling circumstances such as:
    (1) Where the safety of the UAC or others has been threatened;
    (2) The UAC has been determined to be an escape risk consistent 
with Sec.  410.204 of this part; or
    (3) Where counsel has waived such notice.

Subpart G--Age Determinations


Sec.  410.700   Conducting age determinations.

    Procedures for determining the age of an individual must take into 
account multiple forms of evidence, including the non-exclusive use of 
radiographs, to determine the age of the individual. ORR may require an 
individual in ORR's custody to submit to a medical or dental 
examination conducted by a medical professional or to submit to other 
appropriate procedures to verify his or her age. If ORR subsequently 
determines that such an individual is a UAC, he or she will be treated 
in accordance with ORR's UAC regulations for all purposes.


Sec.  410.701  Treatment of an individual who appears to be an adult.

    If, the procedures in Sec.  410.700 would result in a reasonable 
person concluding that an individual is an adult, despite his or her 
claim to be under the age of 18, ORR must treat such person as an adult 
for all purposes.

Subpart H--Unaccompanied Alien Children's Objections to ORR 
Determinations


Sec.  410.800  Purpose of this subpart.

    This subpart concerns UACs' objections to ORR placement.


Sec.  410.801  Procedures.

    (a) For UACs not placed in licensed programs, ORR shall--within a 
reasonable period of time--provide a notice of the reasons for housing 
the minor in secure or staff secure facility. Such notice shall be in a 
language the UAC understands.
    (b) ORR shall promptly provide each UAC not released with:
    (i) A list of free legal services providers compiled by ORR and 
that is provided to UAC as part of a Legal Resource Guide for UAC 
(unless previously given to the UAC); and
    (ii) The following explanation of the right of potential review: 
ORR usually houses persons under the age of 18 in an open setting, such 
as a foster or group home, and not in detention facilities. If you 
believe that you have not been properly placed or that you have been 
treated improperly, you may call a lawyer to seek assistance. If you 
cannot afford a lawyer, you may call one from the list of free legal 
services given to you with this form.


Sec.  410.810   Hearings

    (a) A UAC may request that an independent hearing officer employed 
by HHS determine, through a written decision, whether the UAC would 
present a risk of danger to the community or risk of flight if 
released.
    (1) Requests under this section may be made by the UAC, his or her 
legal representative, or his or her parent or legal guardian.
    (2) UACs placed in secure or staff secure facilities will receive a 
notice of the procedures under this section and may use a form provided 
to them to make a written request for a hearing under this section.
    (b) In hearings conducted under this section, the burden is on the 
UAC to show that he or she will not be a danger to the community (or 
risk of flight) if released, using a preponderance of the evidence 
standard.
    (c) In hearings under this section, the UAC may be represented by a 
person of his or her choosing, at no cost to the government. The UAC 
may present oral and written evidence to the hearing officer and may 
appear by video or teleconference. ORR may also choose to present 
evidence either in writing, or by appearing in person, or by video or 
teleconference.
    (d) A hearing officer's decision that a UAC would not be a danger 
to the community (or risk of flight) if released is binding upon ORR, 
unless the provisions of paragraph (e) of this section apply.
    (e) A hearing officer's decision under this section may be appealed 
to the Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and 
Families. Any such appeal request shall be in writing, and must be 
received

[[Page 45534]]

within 30 days of the hearing officer decision. The Assistant Secretary 
will reverse a hearing officer decision only if there is a clear error 
of fact, or if the decision includes an error of law. Appeal to the 
Assistant Secretary shall not effect a stay of the hearing officer's 
decision to release the UAC, unless within five business days of such 
hearing officer decision, the Assistant Secretary issues a decision in 
writing that release of the UAC would result in a significant danger to 
the community. Such a stay decision must include a description of 
behaviors of the UAC while in care and/or documented criminal or 
juvenile behavior records from the UAC demonstrating that the UAC would 
present a danger to community if released.
    (f) Decisions under this section are final and binding on the 
Department, and a UAC may only seek another hearing under this section 
if the UAC can demonstrate a material change in circumstances. 
Similarly, ORR may request the hearing officer to make a new 
determination under this section if at least one month has passed since 
the original decision, and ORR can show that a material change in 
circumstances means the UAC should no longer be released.
    (g) This section cannot be used to determine whether a UAC has a 
suitable sponsor, and neither the hearing officer nor the Assistant 
Secretary may order the UAC released.
    (h) This section may not be invoked to determine the UAC's 
placement while in ORR custody. Nor may this section be invoked to 
determine level of custody for the UAC.

Kirstjen M. Nielsen,
Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.

Alex M. Azar II,
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2018-19052 Filed 9-6-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-28-P; 4184-45-P