S. 5587 — Introduced in Senate

II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5587 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 18 (legislative day, December 16), 2024Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Hirono, and Mr. Markey) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To establish in the Department of Homeland Security the Task Force on the Reunification of Families, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Family Reunification Task Force Act. 2. Task force on the reunification of families (a) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Attorney General, shall establish in the Department of Homeland Security a task force on the reunification of families, to be known as the Task Force on the Reunification of Families (in this section referred to as the Task Force). (b) Activities The Task Force shall carry out the following: (1) Identify all covered children. (2) Provide recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security concerning the following: (A) The legal authorities necessary to reunite such covered children with their parents or legal guardians. (B) The exercise of parole under section 212(d)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)(A)) to reunite such covered children with their parents or legal guardians. (C) The issuance of visas or other immigration benefits to reunite such covered children with their parents or legal guardians. (D) The provision of additional services and support to such covered children and their parents or legal guardians, including trauma and mental health services. (E) Reunification of any additional family members of such covered children, such as siblings. (c) Consultation In developing the recommendations under subsection (b)(2), the Task Force shall consult with the following: (1) Relevant stakeholders, including domestic and international non-governmental organizations. (2) Representatives of covered children. (d) Reports Not later than 60 days after the establishment of the Task Force, and every 60 days thereafter, the Task Force shall report to the appropriate congressional committees on the activities of the Task Force during the immediately preceding 60-day period, including relating to any recommendations under subsection (b)(2) that require congressional action. (e) Sunset This Act shall terminate on the earliest of— (1) the date that is 120 days after the date on which all covered children have been reunited with their parents or legal guardians; or (2) January 20, 2039. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) Appropriate congressional committees The term appropriate congressional committees means— (A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives. (2) Covered children The term covered children means all persons who, between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021, were— (A) under the age of 18; and (B) separated from their parents or legal guardians at the United States–Mexico border in connection with the implementation of the Zero-Tolerance Policy. (3) Zero-Tolerance Policy The term Zero-Tolerance Policy means— (A) the policy specified in the memorandum issued by the Attorney General on April 6, 2018, entitled Zero-Tolerance for Offenses Under 8 U.S.C. § 1325(a); or (B) any other related policy, program, practice, or initiative.