The PRINTS Act would (1) require U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to fingerprint noncitizen minors under 14 who are entering the United States when a CBP officer suspects the child is a victim of human trafficking, using standards based on the Trafficking Victims Protection Act; (2) compel DHS to publicly disclose, on a monthly basis, the number of such minors fingerprinted and the number of child traffickers apprehended by CBP; (3) create a new federal crime—“recycling of minors”—penalizing adults (18 or older) who knowingly use a minor (not a relative or guardian) to gain entry to the United States, with penalties up to 10 years in prison; (4) require information sharing between DHS and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for unaccompanied alien children transferred from DHS custody to HHS; and (5) require annual reporting to Congress on fingerprinting activity and ongoing monthly publication of apprehenison data related to individuals who exploit children by falsely claiming a relative relationship. The bill’s purpose is to curb trafficking and improper entry schemes while increasing transparency around trafficking-related encounters at the border.
Key Points
- 1Fingerprinting of minors: Requires fingerprint collection for any alien under age 14 entering the United States if a CBP officer suspects the child is a victim of human trafficking, using standards under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
- 2Public disclosures: DHS must publicly disclose (and CBP maintain online) the number of minors fingerprinted under this authority and the number of child traffickers apprehended, including those who exploited minors by falsely presenting them as relatives.
- 3New criminal offense: Adds a federal crime—the “recycling of minors”—punishing anyone 18 or older who knowingly uses a non-relatives (unrelated minor) to gain entry into the United States, with fines and up to 10 years in prison.
- 4Information sharing for unaccompanied minors: DHS must share fingerprint information with HHS upon request for unaccompanied alien children transitioning from DHS custody to HHS custody.
- 5Reporting requirements: Requires an annual DHS report on fingerprinting activity and, on a monthly basis, online publication of apprehensions involving traffickers who falsely claimed a child was a close relative.