,,ii #aah? ,,congress #a/ ,session ,s4 #cagh ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,! ,,unit$ ,,/ates ,novemb] #a1 #bjbc,mr4 ,b5net 7= himself & ,ms4 ,murk[ski7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y ,a ,,bill ,to e/abli% ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt to improve ! adjudication ( immigration cases involv+ unaccompani$ ali5 *ildr54 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,immigration ,c\rt ,effici5cy & ,*ildr5's ,c\rt ,act ( #bjbc4 #b4 ,e/abli%m5t & /ructure ( ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt 7a7 ,e/abli%m5t ( ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt ,*apt] #d ( title ,,ii ( ! ,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abba et seq47 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] section #bdj;,c 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abcj7 ! foll[+3 #bdj;,d4 ,*ildr5's ,c\rt 7a7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is section3 7#a7 ,*ildr5's c\rt ,! t]m ,*ildr5's ,c\rt means all ( ! specializ$ *ildr5's dockets describ$ 9 ?is section4 7#b7 ,director ,! t]m ,director means ! ,director ( ! ,executive ,(fice = ,immigration ,review4 7#c7 ,docket ,! t]m docket means a gr\p+ ( removal proce$+s t are held dur+ a d$icat$ "t on a c\rt's cal5d> & adjudicat$ sep>ately f o!r immigration cases4 7b7 ,e/abli%m5t ,! ,attorney ,g5]al %all e/abli% & ma9ta91 )9 ! ,executive ,(fice = ,immigration ,review1 specializ$ *ildr5's dockets = ! adjudication ( removal proce$+s = any individual :o-- 7#a7 0 y\ng] ?an #ah ye>s ( age on ! date on :i* su* proce$+s 7 initiat$2 & 7#b7 7,a7 0 previ\sly det]m9$ by ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security or ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices to be an unaccompani$ ali5 *ild 7z def9$ 9 section #dfb7;g77#b7 ( ! ,homel& ,security ,act ( #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #bgi7;g77#b7772 or 7,b7 is ! pr9cipal respond5t 9 a proce$+ if su* individual 0 ref]r$ to ! *ildr5's docket by an immigration judge1 unless su* *ild reque/s to rema9 on ! c\rt's g5]al docket4 7c7 ,judges 7#a7 ,geographic areas ,! ,director %all divide all ( ! immigration c\rts into geographical areas ) n m ?an #e immigration c\rts 9 ea* su* area4 7#b7 ,designations ,! ,director1 9 consultation ) ! ,*ief ,immigration ,judge1 %all designate-- 7,a7 an immigration judge to s]ve z ,*ief ,*ildr5's ,judge = ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt2 & 7,b7 #a immigration judge 9 ea* geographical area ref]r$ to 9 to p>agraph 7#a7 to s]ve z ! ,assi/ant ,*ief ,*ildr5's ,judge = su* area4 7#c7 ,qualifications ,! ,attorney ,g5]al %all e/abli%1 by regulation1 qualifications = ,*ildr5's ,c\rt judges t ensure1 among any o!r requirem5ts1 t ! ,*ief ,*ildr5's ,judge1 ea* ,assi/ant ,*ief ,*ildr5's ,judge1 & ea* immigration judge assign$ to ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt-- 7,a7 has sub/antial exp]i5ce work+ ) *ildr5 9 judicial or o!r sett+s2 7,b7 possess & h demon/rat$ a commitm5t to ensur+ ! fair adm9i/ration ( ju/ice ?r\gh *ild-appropriate c\rt proc$ures2 & 7,c7 apply = appo9tm5t to ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt4 7#d7 ,duties 7,a7 ,*ief *ildr5's judge ,! ,*ief ,*ildr5's ,judge %all-- 7i7 e/abli% op]at+ policies & proc$ures = c>ry+ out adjudications 9 ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt 9 a mann] t advances due process & fairness2 & 7ii7 ov]see ! implem5tation ( su* policies & proc$ures4 7,b7 ,assi/ant *ief *ildr5's judges ,9 addition to 8 or h] duties z an immigration judge1 ea* ,assi/ant ,*ief ,*ildr5's ,judge %all-- 7i7 promote fair & j processes = c>ry+ out adjudications 9 ! specializ$ *ildr5's dockets 9 ! immigration c\rts 9 8 or h] assign$ geographical area2 & 7ii7 ensure t all ( ! immigration judges assign$ to a specializ$ *ildr5's docket 9 ! immigration c\rts 9 su* area complete ! tra9+ describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#e74 7#e7 ,tra9+ 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,immigration judges assign$ to ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt %all complete-- 7i7 initial tra9+ ^u assignm5t2 & 7ii7 annual supplem5t>y tra9+4 7,b7 ,topics ,tra9+ requir$ "u ?is p>agraph %all encompass ! foll[+ topics3 7i7 ,*ildr5's claims = immigration relief4 7ii7 ,appropriate use ( docket managem5t tools to facilitate *ildr5's pursuit ( relief ?r\gh an application or petition to ,u4,s4 ,citiz5%ip & ,immigration ,s]vices4 7iii7 ,*ild-s5sitive que/ion+ te*niques4 7iv7 ,developm5tal- & trauma-in=m$ practice t acc\nts = *ildr5's developm5tal /age1 trauma hi/ory1 & o!r factors impact+ a *ild's capacity :5 det]m9+ appropriate c\rtroom proc$ures1 evaluat+ cr$ibility1 & consid]+ te/imony & o!r evid5ce adduc$ by a *ild1 among o!r actions4 7v7 ,me?ods = expla9+ ! purpose & nature ( c\rt proce$+s & proc$ures to *ildr51 includ+ developm5tally appropriate communication4 7vi7 ,! concept ( ! be/ int]e/s ( ! *ild4 7vii7 ,human traffick+ ( *ildr54 7,c7 ,legal repres5tation ,tra9+ requir$ "u ?is p>agraph %all include in/ruction f gov]nm5tal & nongov]nm5tal exp]ts 9 ! legal repres5tation ( unaccompani$ *ildr51 *ild developm5t1 *ild welf>e1 & *ild psy*ology4 ,assi/ant ,*ief ,*ildr5's ,judges %all consult ) su* exp]ts to design tra9+ plans4 7#f7 ,p]=mance metrics ,! ,executive ,(fice = ,immigration ,review may n implem5t m9imal num]ic case load or case completion requirem5ts1 judicial p]=mance /&>ds1 or o!r /&>ds = immigration judges assign$ to ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt t c\ld negatively impact ! fair adm9i/ration ( ju/ice or promotion ( ! be/ int]e/s ( ! *ild by ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt4 7#g7 ,assignm5t ( o!r cases ,immigration judges assign$ to ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt may also be assign$ cases t are n on a specializ$ *ildr5's docket if ! total caseload ( su* judges does n exce$ #ge p]c5t ( ! av]age caseload ( immigration judges :o are n assign$ to ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt4 7d7 ,proc$ural protections ,proce$+s 9 ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt %all utilize *ild-appropriate proc$ures t all[ = maximum p>ticipation ( *ild respond5ts & promote due process1 includ+-- 7#a7 cont9uances t are suffici5t = a *ild to obta9 c\nsel2 7#b7 conf]r+ among ! p>ties to ! maximum ext5t practicable to n>r[ ! legal issues 9 advance ( an adjudication on ! m]its2 7#c7 a rebuttable presumption 9 favor ( grant+ a *ild's reque/ to dismiss or adm9i/ratively close proce$+s :5 an application = relief is p5d+ be=e or approv$ by ,u4,s4 ,citiz5%ip & ,immigration ,s]vices2 7#d7 explanations ( c\rt proce$+s & advisals by immigration judges reg>d+ legal rights & responsibilities t accommodate a *ild's developm5tal level & capacity2 7#e7 appropriate accommodations1 includ+ breaks dur+ oral te/imony by a *ild2 7#f7 language scre5+ protocols to ensure t int]pretation is provid$ 9 ! *ild's pref]r$ language2 & 7#g7 ! use ( virtual he>+s only-- 7,a7 at ! reque/ ( ! *ild or ! *ild's c\nsel2 or 7,b7 if ! immigration judge det]m9es t virtual he>+s w\ld be 9 ! *ild's legal int]e/s4 7e7 ,be/ int]e/s ( ! *ild 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! be/ int]e/s ( ! *ild may be consid]$ 9 adjudicat+ motions1 =ms ( relief1 or any o!r judicial decision requir+ a discretion>y analysis4 7#b7 ,consid]ations ,a be/ int]e/s ( ! *ild det]m9ation %all be made by a *ild advocate or o!r entity or pr(essional ) comp>able exp]tise 9 su* det]m9ations1 aft] tak+ into acc\nt-- 7,a7 ! safety & well-be+ ( ! *ild2 7,b7 ! express$ int]e/s ( ! *ild1 tak+ into acc\nt ! *ild's age & /age ( developm5t2 7,c7 ! physical & m5tal heal? ( ! *ild2 7,d7 ! "r ( ! *ild to family integrity1 lib]ty1 & developm5t2 & 7,e7 ! id5tity ( ! *ild1 includ+ religi\s1 e?nic1 l+ui/ic1 g5d]1 sexual ori5tation1 & cultural id5tity4 7#c7 ,appo9tm5t ( indep5d5t *ild advocates ,immigration judges assign$ to ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt1 on _! own initiative or at ! reque/ ( a *ild's c\nsel 9 an immigration proce$+1 %all consid] ! ref]ral ( a *ild = appo9tm5t ( an indep5d5t *ild advocate 9 accordance ) section #bce7;c77#f74 7f7 ,legal assi/ance = unaccompani$ *ildr5 ,ea* ,assi/ant ,*ief ,*ildr5's ,judge %all-- 7#a7 coord9ate ) qualifi$ local provid]s ( legal s]vices = *ildr5 9 ! geographic area = purposes ( maximiz+ provid]s' capacity to provide legal assi/ance2 7#b7 on ea* day :5 any unrepres5t$ *ild is on ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt docket1 make suffici5t appropriate space available 9 ! c\rt build+ to af=d su* *ild ! opportunity to meet confid5tially ) qualifi$ provid]s ( legal s]vices at no co/ to ! *ild2 & 7#c7 coord9ate ) ! ,secret>y ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices = purposes ( ensur+ access to legal in=mation & repres5tation = unaccompani$ *ildr5 to ! greate/ ext5t practicable1 9 accordance ) section #bce7;c77#e74 7g7 ,e/abli%m5t ( ,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security ,*ildr5's ,cohort 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,!re is e/abli%$1 )9 ! ,(fice ( ! ,pr9cipal ,legal ,advisor1 a ,*ildr5's ,cohort to repres5t ,u4,s4 ,immigration & ,cu/oms ,en=cem5t 9 ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt4 7#b7 ,tra9+ ,attorneys assign$ to ! ,*ildr5's ,cohort %all receive1 f gov]nm5tal & nongov]nm5tal exp]ts 9 *ild developm5t1 *ild psy*ology1 & *ildr5's immigration law1 initial tra9+ ^u appo9tm5t & annual supplem5t>y tra9+ reg>d+-- 7,a7 unaccompani$ *ildr5's claims = immigration relief2 7,b7 *ild-s5sitive que/ion+ te*niques2 & 7,c7 trauma-in=m$ int]view+ & adjudication me?ods4 7#c7 ,p]=mance metrics ,attorneys assign$ to ! ,*ildr5's ,cohort may n be subject$ to p]=mance /&>ds or ag5cy /rategic measures t are bas$ on case outcomes or o!r /&>ds t c\ld negatively impact ! fair adm9i/ration ( ju/ice4 7#d7 ,prosecutorial discretion ,attorneys assign$ to ! ,*ildr5's ,cohort1 consi/5t ) _! exi/+ au?ority to ex]cise prosecutorial discretion1 may seek resolution ( cases 9 a mann] t promotes ! fair adm9i/ration ( ju/ice1 includ+ by-- 7,a7 mov+ to dismiss or adm9i/ratively close removal proce$+s :5 an application = relief is p5d+ be=e or approv$ by ,u4,s4 ,citiz5%ip & ,immigration ,s]vices2 7,b7 agree+ to jo9 motions = dismissal1 adm9i/rative closure1 or cont9uances2 7,c7 /ipulat+ to facts or conclusions ( law2 7,d7 jo9+ motions to grant relief2 & 7,e7 n pursu+ appeals4 7#e7 ,"r to review c]ta9 docum5ts ,n lat] ?an #g days aft] provid+ a notice to appe> to an unaccompani$ *ild or to su* *ild's legal c\nsel pursuant to section #bci7;a71 ! ,director ( ,u4,s4 ,immigration & ,cu/oms ,en=cem5t %all provide to su* *ild or su* legal c\nsel1 z appropriate1 a complete copy ( ! *ild's immigration file 7commonly kn[n z an ,a-file7 9 ! possession ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security 7o!r ?an docum5ts protect$ f disclosure "u section #eeb7;b7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code74 4 7b7 ,rulemak+ ,! ,attorney ,g5]al %all promulgate regulations to implem5t ! am5dm5t made by subsection 7a74 7c7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( cont5ts ( ! ,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja note7 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to section #bdj;,c ! foll[+3 ,sec4 #bdj;,d4 ,*ildr5's ,c\rt4 4 #c4 ,prohibition on in=mation %>+ 7a7 ,*ild 9 cu/ody & prospective sponsors ,! ,director ( ! ,(fice ( ,refugee ,resettlem5t may n provide any in=mation ab\t an unaccompani$ ali5 *ild 9 ! cu/ody ( ! ,secret>y ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices1 or prospective sponsors1 to ! ,attorney ,g5]al or ! ,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security )\t ! cons5t (-- 7#a7 su* *ild or ! *ild's prospective sponsor1 z applicable2 & 7#b7 ! legal c\nsel ( su* *ild or sponsor1 respectively4 7b7 ,immigration en=cem5t 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,no in=mation ab\t an unaccompani$ ali5 *ild may be %>$ betwe5 ! ,(fice ( ,refugee ,resettlem5t & ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security = purposes ( immigration en=cem5t4 7#b7 ,explanation = prospective sponsors ,! ,director ( ! ,(fice ( ,refugee ,resettlem5t %all ensure t communications by ! ,(fice ( ,refugee ,resettlem5t ) sponsors & prospective sponsors1 includ+ ! family reunification application packet1 include an explanation t in=mation ab\t a *ild1 sponsor1 or prospective sponsor provid$ to ! ,(fice ( ,refugee ,resettlem5t may only be %>$ ) ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security if su* *ild & su* *ild's sponsor or prospective sponsor h provid$ in=m$ cons5t4 7c7 ,relief f removal ,no in=mation ab\t an unaccompani$ ali5 *ild may be %>$ betwe5 ! ,(fice ( ,refugee ,resettlem5t & ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security or ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,ju/ice = purposes ( relief f removal4 7d7 ,exceptions 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices may provide = ! disclosure ( in=mation ab\t an unaccompani$ ali5 *ild 9 ! same mann] & circum/ances z c5sus in=mation may be disclos$ by ! ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce "u section #h ( title #ac1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 7#b7 ,national security purposes ,! ,secret>y ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices may provide = ! disclosure ( in=mation ab\t an unaccompani$ ali5 *ild to national security (ficials to be us$ solely = a national security purpose 9 a mann] t protects ! confid5tiality ( su* in=mation4 7#c7 ,law en=cem5t purposes ,! ,secret>y ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices may provide = ! disclosure ( in=mation ab\t an unaccompani$ ali5 *ild to law en=cem5t (ficials to be us$ solely = a legitimate law en=cem5t purpose 9 a mann] t protects ! confid5tiality ( su* in=mation4 7#d7 ,eligibility = b5efits ,! ,secret>y ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices may disclose in=mation ab\t an unaccompani$ ali5 *ild to ,f$]al1 ,/ate1 & local public & private ag5cies provid+ b5efits1 to be us$ solely 9 mak+ det]m9ations ( eligibility = b5efits pursuant to section #dca ( ! ,p]sonal ,responsibility & ,"w ,opportunity ,reconciliation ,act ( #aiif 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #afda74 7#e7 ,adjudication ( applications = relief 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,gov]nm5t entities adjudicat+ applications = relief "u ! immigration laws & gov]nm5t p]sonnel c>ry+ duties requir$ "u section #aja7;i77#a7 ( ! ,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;i77#a77 may1 ) ! prior writt5 cons5t ( ! noncitiz5 involv$1 communicate ) nonpr(it1 nongov]nm5tal victims' s]vice provid]s = ! sole purpose ( assi/+ victims 9 obta9+ victim s]vices f programs ) exp]tise 9 work+ ) immigrant victims4 ,ag5cies receiv+ ref]rals "u ?is subp>agraph are b\nd by ! re/rictions "u ?is section4 7,b7 ,rule ( con/ruction ,no?+ 9 ?is p>agraph may be con/ru$ z affect+ ! ability ( an applicant to designate a safe organization ?r\gh :i* gov]nm5tal ag5cies may communicate ) ! applicant4 7e7 ,rule ( con/ruction ,subsections 7a71 7b71 & 7c7 %all n be con/ru$ z prev5t+-- 7#a7 disclosure ( in=mation 9 connection ) judicial review ( a det]m9ation 9 a mann] t protects ! confid5tiality ( su* in=mation2 or 7#b7 ! ,secret>y ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices f disclos+ to ! *air & rank+ memb] ( ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y ( ! ,s5ate or to ! *air & rank+ memb] ( ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 = ! ex]cise ( congressional ov]sight au?ority1 in=mation on clos$ cases describ$ 9 ?is section 9 a mann] t-- 7,a7 protects ! confid5tiality ( su* in=mation2 & 7,b7 omits p]sonally id5tify+ in=mation 7includ+ locational in=mation ab\t individuals74 #d4 ,report+ & evaluation 7a7 ,def9$ t]m ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m appropriate congressional committees means-- 7#a7 ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y ( ! ,s5ate2 7#b7 ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,s5ate2 7#c7 ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives2 & 7#d7 ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives4 7b7 ,annual reports ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 & annually !reaft]1 ! ,attorney ,g5]al %all submit to ! appropriate congressional committees & publi% on a publicly accessible website a report describ+-- 7#a7 ! level ( compliance ( ea* relevant immigration c\rt ) ! requirem5ts describ$ 9 section #bdj;,d ( ! ,immigration & ,nationality ,act1 z add$ by section #b7;a72 7#b7 corrective actions ! ,attorney ,g5]al is tak+ or plans to take to ensure t any relevant immigration c\rt t is n 9 compliance ) ! requirem5ts ref]r$ to 9 p>agraph 7#a7 exp$iti\sly a*ieves su* compliance2 7#c7 tra9+ t has be5 provid$ to judges assign$ to ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt 7z def9$ 9 su* section #bdj;,d72 7#d7 ! numb] ( unaccompani$ ali5 *ildr5's cases p5d+ be=e ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt2 7#e7 ! numb] ( unaccompani$ ali5 *ildr5's cases receiv+ f9al decisions 9 ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt dur+ ! report+ p]iod1 disaggregat$ by-- 7,a7 decision type1 includ+ ord]s ( removal1 grants ( relief1 dismissals1 & t]m9ations2 & 7,b7 :e!r ! *ildr5 7 repres5t$ by an attorney at ! "t !y receiv$ ! f9al decisions2 7#f7 unaccompani$ ali5 *ildr5's appe>ance rates at he>+s be=e ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt1 disaggregat$ by :e!r ! *ildr5 7 repres5t$ by an attorney at ! "t ( su* he>+s2 & 7#g7 any immigration c\rt res\rces cons]v$ by ! e/abli%m5t & adm9i/ration ( specializ$ *ildr5's dockets4 7c7 ,bi5nial evaluations ,n lat] ?an #b ye>s aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 & bi5nially !reaft]1 ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates %all submit to ! appropriate congressional committees & publi% on a public website a report evaluat+-- 7#a7 ! ,attorney ,g5]al's compliance ) ! requirem5ts describ$ 9 section #bdj;,d ( ! ,immigration & ,nationality ,act1 z add$ by section #b7;a7 across ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt z a :ole & disaggregat$ by relevant immigration c\rts2 & 7#b7 ! effectiv5ess ( ! ,*ildr5's ,c\rt 9-- 7,a7 uphold+ fairness & due process 9 unaccompani$ ali5 *ildr5's proce$+s2 & 7,b7 limit+ adjudication r$undancy betwe5 ! ,executive ,(fice = ,immigration ,review & ,u4,s4 ,citiz5%ip & ,immigration ,s]vices4 #e4 ,au?orization ( appropriations ,!re is au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ to ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,ju/ice1 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security1 & ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices su* sums z may be necess>y to c>ry out ?is ,act & ! am5dm5t made by ?is ,act4