No More Missing Children Act
The No More Missing Children Act would create a new federal program—the Unaccompanied Alien Child Anti-Trafficking Program—administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The aim is to prevent trafficking, disappearance, or loss of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) by imposing strict, ongoing oversight over both the child and the sponsor (the person who takes the child into custody after release from HHS custody). Key components include mandatory enrollment for newly released UACs and those present in the U.S. as of enactment, GPS tracking of both the child and sponsor, regular phone reporting, extensive sponsor vetting (including DNA testing to verify relationships), routine home visits, and strict eligibility criteria for sponsors. If a sponsor fails to comply, the child can be removed from the sponsor, custody returned to HHS, and the sponsor barred from future sponsorship. The act defines several terms and creates ongoing background checks, with the program lasting until the child is removed, turns 18, or attains lawful status.
Key Points
- 1Establishes the Unaccompanied Alien Child Anti-Trafficking Program, run by HHS in coordination with DHS, to prevent trafficking, disappearance, or loss of UACs.
- 2Enrollment and duration: all UACs released to sponsors after enactment and those in the U.S. as of enactment must be enrolled; enrollment continues until removal, age 18, or lawful immigration status is obtained.
- 3Monitoring and reporting requirements: require GPS tracking for both the child and sponsor during residence; monthly telephonic reporting for children aged 4 and older; continuous GPS monitoring via body-worn devices; and home visits (at least 6 unannounced visits in the first year, and at least 4 per year thereafter).
- 4DNA and relationship verification: collect DNA from the child, sponsor, and adult household members, and confirm sponsor-child relationships when claimed; mandatory DNA-related checks for eligibility.
- 5Vetting of sponsors: before release, sponsors and adult household members must provide biometric information and undergo comprehensive checks (in-person interview, public records, FBI background check, national and interagency checks, state and local criminal history checks, DHS database checks, National Sex Offender Registry, synthetic identity checks, and more); ongoing background checks at least quarterly after placement.
- 6Sponsor eligibility rules: prohibits placing a child with sponsors who are unlawfully present in the U.S. unless they are the parent/legal guardian/biological relative; bars sponsors with ties to criminal organizations, terrorism, sex offender registries, certain criminal convictions, or pending charges; and requires other disqualifying criteria related to crimes of violence or certain prior disposition statuses.
- 7Consequences for noncompliance: if a sponsor fails to meet conditions, HHS must terminate the placement, reclaim custody, and bar the sponsor from sponsoring the child or any other UAC.
- 8Definitions: clarifies terms such as “adult,” “continuously monitored by GPS,” “telephonic reporting,” “transnational criminal organization,” and “unaccompanied alien child.”