Stop Human Trafficking of Unaccompanied Migrant Children Act of 2025
In Committee
Introduced:Jan 28, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Rick Scott
R - FL
Cosponsors
2
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Immigration
Summary
This bill establishes comprehensive vetting requirements before unaccompanied migrant children can be placed with sponsors. Sponsors and all household adults must undergo fingerprint background checks including sex offender registry, FBI criminal history, and child abuse checks. HHS must conduct pre-placement home visits and periodic follow-ups. Children cannot be placed with unlawfully present sponsors unless they are parents, relatives, or legal guardians. Requirements apply retroactively to placements since January 20, 2021.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill establishes comprehensive vetting requirements before unaccompanied migrant children can be placed with sponsors. Sponsors and all household adults must undergo fingerprint background checks including sex offender registry, FBI criminal history, and child abuse checks. HHS must conduct pre-placement home visits and periodic follow-ups. Children cannot be placed with unlawfully present sponsors unless they are parents, relatives, or legal guardians. Requirements apply retroactively to placements since January 20, 2021.
Last updated: 1/4/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Stop Human Trafficking of Unaccompanied Migrant Children Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill establishes requirements relating to placing unaccompanied alien children with sponsors. (Under federal law, an <em>unaccompanied alien child</em> is a minor with no lawful immigration status and no parent or legal guardian in the United States to provide care and physical custody.)</p><p>Before the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may release such a child to a sponsor, the sponsor must complete a fingerprint background check and vetting that includes (1) a public records check, (2) a National Sex Offender Registry check, (3) a Federal Bureau of Investigation National Criminal History Check, (4) a child abuse and neglect check, and (5) state and local criminal history checks. Each adult in the sponsor's household must also undergo such vetting before the placement.</p><p>The bill also requires HHS to visit the home of a proposed sponsor before the placement and to conduct periodic home visits after.</p><p>A child may not be placed with a sponsor who is unlawfully present in the United States unless the sponsor is the child's parent, relative, or legal guardian.</p><p>HHS must retroactively apply these vetting standards to all sponsors for placements made since January 20, 2021.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Requires fingerprint background checks for sponsors and household adults
Mandates checks of sex offender registry, FBI records, and child abuse databases
Requires HHS home visits before and after placement
Prohibits placement with unlawfully present sponsors (with family exceptions)
Applies retroactively to all placements since January 20, 2021
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This legislation responds to concerns about child safety in the sponsor placement system. Proponents argue enhanced vetting will protect vulnerable children from trafficking and abuse. Critics may note implementation challenges and the burden of retroactive compliance. The bill represents a significant expansion of oversight for the unaccompanied children program, with substantial resource implications for HHS.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Immigration
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
286, 119th Congress (2025). "Stop Human Trafficking of Unaccompanied Migrant Children Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-286