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Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jul 24, 2019
Coordinating Care for Children Affected by Immigration Enforcement Act
This bill provides protections for children whose parent or caregiver has been detained for immigration enforcement purposes.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and entities cooperating with DHS on immigration enforcement shall determine as soon as possible whether a detained individual is a parent or caregiver of a child in the United States. Detained parents and caregivers shall (1) have the chance to make at least two phone calls to arrange for child care; and (2) receive contact information for child welfare agencies, family courts, consulates, attorneys, and other relevant entities.
DHS shall not transfer the detained individual to another geographical area until child care arrangements have been made, absent extraordinary circumstances. DHS shall (1) permit detained individuals regular contact with their children, and (2) give detained individuals the opportunity to participate in all proceedings impacting custody of their children.
People & committees
Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN] · D–MN
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in Senate
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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