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Immigration, Reform, Accountability, and Security Enhancement Act of 2002

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3845-3857)

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 2, 2002

Immigration Reform, Accountability, and Security Enhancement Act of 2002 - Abolishes the Immigration and Naturalization Service.Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish in the Department of Justice (Department) the Immigration Affairs Agency, which shall be headed by a Director of Immigration Affairs. States that the Agency shall perform the following functions: (1) policy, administration, and inspection; (2) service and adjudication; and (3) enforcement.Establishes within the Agency: (1) a General Counsel; (2) a Chief Financial Officer; (3) a Chief of Policy and Strategy; (4) a Chief of Congressional, Intergovernmental, and Public Affairs; (5) the Bureau of Immigration Services and Adjudications; and (6) the Bureau of Enforcement and Border Affairs. Sets forth Agency and Bureau offices and authorities.Establishes within the Department the Office of the Ombudsman.Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish within the Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics the Office of Immigration Statistics.Provides for the transfer and allocation of functions, personnel, an other resources from INS and the Department to the Agency.Establishes in the Treasury the Immigration Affairs Agency Transition Account.Amends Federal law to set forth personnel flexibilities respecting the Agency, including voluntary separation incentives.Unaccompanied Child Protection Act of 2002 - Establishes within the Department the Office of Children's Services which shall: (1) not be an INS office; and (2) be responsible for coordinating and implementing law and policy, including foster care, for unaccompanied alien children. Establishes an Interagency Task Force on Unaccompanied Alien Children.Sets forth: (1) procedures for unaccompanied children found within the United States, or along the border or at ports of entry; and (2) a family reunification preference order.Prohibits, with an exception for violent children, detention in adult or delinquent children facilities.Expresses the sense of Congress that the Government should take efforts to ensure that alien children are not repatriated to unsafe settings.Directs the Office to provide that each unaccompanied child have counsel and guardian ad litem. Directs the Attorney General to establish a related pilot program.Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a special immigrant juvenile visa (J Visa).Expresses congressional commendation of the Immigration and Naturalization Service' s issuance of its "Guidelines for Children's Asylum Claims." Provides related training for immigration officers.Amends the Act to exempt unaccompanied alien children from certain removal and asylum filing provisions.Provides for: (1) establishment of an Internet-based system for accessing immigration-related benefit filings; (2) conduct an on-line filing and improved processing feasibility study; and (3) establish a Technology Advisory Committee.Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the utilization of alternatives to asylee detention.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA] · D–MA

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
12 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3845-3857)

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3844-3845)

  3. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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