A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to fingerprint noncitizen minors entering the United States who are suspected of being victims of human trafficking, to require the Secretary to publicly disclose the number of such minors who are fingerprinted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials and the number of child traffickers who are apprehended by CBP, to impose criminal penalties on noncitizen adults who use unrelated minors to gain entry into the United States, and for other purposes.

2/5/2025, 11:56 AM
Congress
119

Number
S - 53

Introduced on
2025-01-09

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
Marsha Blackburn

Cosponsors
+5

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Preventing the Recycling of Immigrants is Necessary for Trafficking Suspension Act or the PRINTS Act

This bill addresses migrant minor children entering the United States. Specifically, the bill makes it a crime for a person to knowingly use a minor to gain entry to the United States if the minor is not a close relative or if the person is not the minor’s guardian. In addition, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) must fingerprint all non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) entering the United States who are younger than 14 years of age if a CBP officer suspects that the child is victim of human trafficking.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must share with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) any fingerprints collected under this bill from an unaccompanied child if that child is transferred to HHS custody.

DHS must report to Congress on the number of children fingerprinted annually under this bill. DHS must also publish on a monthly basis the number of individuals apprehended for falsely claiming a child accompanying them into the United States was a close relative.  

Bill 119 s 53, also known as the "Child Trafficking Victims Protection Act," aims to address the issue of human trafficking of noncitizen minors entering the United States. The bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to fingerprint noncitizen minors who are suspected of being victims of human trafficking upon their entry into the country. This measure is intended to help identify and protect these vulnerable individuals.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Secretary publicly disclose the number of noncitizen minors who are fingerprinted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, as well as the number of child traffickers who are apprehended by CBP. This transparency is meant to increase accountability and awareness of the extent of child trafficking at the border.

Furthermore, the bill imposes criminal penalties on noncitizen adults who use unrelated minors to gain entry into the United States. This provision is aimed at deterring individuals from exploiting children for their own gain and holding them accountable for their actions. Overall, Bill 119 s 53 seeks to strengthen protections for noncitizen minors who may be victims of human trafficking, increase enforcement efforts against child traffickers, and prevent the exploitation of children for immigration purposes.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to fingerprint noncitizen minors entering the United States who are suspected of being victims of human trafficking, to require the Secretary to publicly disclose the number of such minors who are fingerprinted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials and the number of child traffickers who are apprehended by CBP, to impose criminal penalties on noncitizen adults who use unrelated minors to gain entry into the United States, and for other purposes.

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary3/12/2025

Preventing the Recycling of Immigrants is Necessary for Trafficking Suspension Act or the PRINTS Act

This bill addresses migrant minor children entering the United States. Specifically, the bill makes it a crime for a person...


Latest Action1/9/2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.