Legislation to safeguard immigrant children in state custody introduced by Rep. Jayapal

May 24 :
House Representative Pramila Jayapal, an Indian-American, has introduced a bill to strengthen safeguards for immigrant children in the care of the government. The purpose of the PROKID Act, which stands for the Protection of Children in Detention Act, is to clarify the role of immigration authorities in protecting the rights and well-being of detained children.

It is the United States government's ethical and legal responsibility to safeguard children in its care. Child deaths in care and recent cases of family separation highlight how serious this issue is, Jayapal stated.

In order to better serve the public, the PROKID Act suggests that the HHS establish an Office of the Ombudsperson. Responsible for overseeing the care of immigrant children and making sure all applicable regulations are being followed, this office would act as their advocate.

Prompt release of detained children, steps to guarantee they are housed in the least restrictive environment, and the creation of an expert advisory committee are all essential parts of the law.

Continuing her work on the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act and other measures to improve the treatment of detainees, Jayapal has introduced new legislation to reform the immigration detention system.

Some groups that are committed to helping children have endorsed the PROKID Act, and it has received support from both the Republican and Democratic parties.