Establishes the Office of the Ombudsperson for Immigrant Children in Immigration Custody within the Department of Health and Human Services.
Aims to support the principle that family separation and detention are generally not in a child’s best interest.
Ensures immigrant children are detained in the least restrictive settings and advocates for their quick release from custody.
Ombudsperson is appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and must have experience in immigration law and child advocacy.
Ombudsperson is responsible for monitoring compliance with federal and state laws regarding immigrant children in custody, including conducting site visits and investigations.
Investigates claims of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of immigrant children in custody.
Establishes regional offices to address local issues and strengthen state oversight.
Develops a data collection system to track information about immigrant children in custody, ensuring privacy protections.
Creates an expert advisory committee to assist in identifying trends and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and standards.
Requires a memorandum of understanding between the Ombudsperson and the Department of Homeland Security for coordination and oversight.
Mandates regular reporting to Congress on the activities and challenges faced by the Office of the Ombudsperson.
Prohibits the use of collected data for immigration enforcement or law enforcement purposes.