Bills
| 3.23.22

Should the Feds Reunite Separated Unauthorized Immigrant Families Within 60 Days? (H.R. 6172)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is H.R. 6172?

(Updated March 3, 2020)

This bill — the Reunite Children With Their Parents Act — would require the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Dept. of Justice (DOJ) to reunite each unauthorized immigrant child who was separated from their parents while they wait for an immigration or asylum hearing. The agencies would have 60 days to reunite the families after this bill’s enactment.

Argument in favor

It’s inhumane to separate unauthorized immigrant children from their parents while the family waits to hear its fate in an immigration or asylum hearing. This bill ensures they’re reunited in a timely manner.

Argument opposed

Unauthorized immigrant children who have been separated from their parents while the family waits for an immigration or asylum hearing should remain separated until the process is complete.

Impact

Separated unauthorized immigrant family; and DHS & the DOJ.

Cost of H.R. 6172

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) introduced this bill to reunite unauthorized immigrant children who have been separated from their parents:

“Today, I introduced the "Reunite Children with Their Parents Act" (H.R. 6172) that will protect the children already in custody as a result of the President’s terrible policy, and ensure that it is the policy of the United States to reunite them with their families.  The "Reunite Children with Their Parents Act" would mandate that within 60 days of becoming law, the DHS Secretary must reunite the children taken into custody with their families that have been separated as a result of President Trump’s border separation policy. If the President cannot care for these children, it is the solemn duty of Congress to lead where he has failed.”

This legislation has the support of 23 cosponsors, including 22 Democrats and one Republican.


Media:

Summary by Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: AAraujo / iStock)