Sec. 2402. Child welfare at the border
235 words·~1 min read·
/bill/117/s/348/is/section-2402A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate Federal, State, and local government officials, pediatricians, and child welfare experts and private sector agencies, shall develop additional guidelines for the treatment of children in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The guiding principle of the guidelines developed pursuant to subsection
(a)shall be the best interest of the child and shall include— appropriate training for all Department of Homeland Security personnel and cooperating entity personnel who have contact with children relating to the care and custody of children; ensuring the availability of qualified child welfare professionals and licensed medical professionals, as appropriate; a reliable system for identifying and reporting allegations of child abuse or neglect; prohibiting the removal of a child from a parent or legal guardian for the purpose of deterring individuals from migrating to the United States or promoting compliance with the United States immigration laws; reasonable arrangements for unannounced visits and inspections by the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security, nongovernmental organizations, and State and local child welfare agencies; and the preservation of all records associated with children in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, including records of— the identities of the children; any known family members of the children; and reported incidents of abuse of the children while in custody. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to implement this section.