Ensuring United Families at the Border Act

Ensuring United Families at the Border Act

This bill addresses the treatment of children who are non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law), including by statutorily establishing that there is no presumption that such a child (other than an unaccompanied child) should not be detained for immigration purposes.

Specifically, the bill states that the detention of such minors shall be governed by specified sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act and not any other provision of law, judicial ruling, or settlement agreement.

(A 1997 settlement agreement, commonly known as the Flores agreement, imposes requirements relating to the treatment of detained alien minors, including requiring such minors to be released or placed in a nonsecure facility after a certain amount of time in detention.)

If an adult enters the United States unlawfully with their child, DHS must detain the adult and child together if the only criminal charge against the adult is a misdemeanor for unlawful entry.

This bill also prohibits states from imposing licensing requirements on immigration detention facilities used to detain minors or families with minors.

Bill 118 HR 2580, also known as the Ensuring United Families at the Border Act, was introduced in the US Congress with the aim of addressing the issue of family separation at the US-Mexico border. The bill seeks to ensure that families who arrive at the border seeking asylum are able to stay together throughout the immigration process.

One of the key provisions of the bill is the requirement for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a centralized system for tracking and reunifying families who have been separated at the border. This system would help to prevent the prolonged separation of families and ensure that children are not left in the custody of the government without their parents.

Additionally, the bill calls for increased oversight and accountability for DHS and other agencies involved in immigration enforcement. It requires regular reporting on the number of families separated at the border, the reasons for separation, and the efforts being made to reunify families. The Ensuring United Families at the Border Act also includes provisions to improve conditions for families in detention centers, including access to legal representation, medical care, and other basic necessities. It aims to ensure that families are treated with dignity and respect while they navigate the immigration system. Overall, the bill seeks to address the humanitarian crisis at the border and ensure that families are able to stay together and receive fair treatment during the immigration process. It has garnered bipartisan support in Congress and is seen as a step towards reforming the immigration system to better protect vulnerable families.