A Democratic bill with 16 Democratic cosponsors · See all 17 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026 establishes protocols for the care, release, and oversight of unaccompanied noncitizen children in U.S. custody. The bill mandates strict prohibitions on family separation and sets high standards for the detention, housing, and medical care of children. It creates requirements for childcare facilities, including staffing, education, and recreational opportunities. The legislation outlines specific procedures for sponsorship, placement, and reunification while providing for legal representation at government expense. Additionally, the act establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsperson to monitor compliance and investigate complaints. It also introduces protections for individuals aging out of custody and establishes strict data privacy requirements.
Yes· 3 of 16
- Scored +9
Would children be better off under this?
The bill implements strict protections, mental health mandates, and prohibits family separation for noncitizen children.
- Scored +8
Would LGBTQ people be better off under this?
The bill includes specific mandates to protect the gender identity and expression of LGBTQI children in custody.
- Scored +8
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill mandates individualized needs assessments and specialized training for staff under the Rehabilitation Act.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this tighten control of the border?
The bill limits the ability of DHS to access case files for the purposes of immigration enforcement.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Prohibition on Family Separation: A noncitizen child must remain physically together with their parent, legal guardian, or nonparent family member while in custody unless specific evidence shows an imminent threat or serious damage (Section 101(a) and Section 232(b)(4)).
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Enhanced Caregiver Presence: The bill requires a licensed child caregiver professional to be physically present at land ports of entry, Border Patrol stations, and Customs and Border Protection processing facilities (Section 102).
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Strict Detention Limits: The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection is prohibited from detaining a family with a noncitizen child for more than 72 hours (Section s 104(a)(2)).
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Improved Medical Standards: Upon arrival at a Customs and Border Protection facility, a child must receive a medical screening by a licensed professional no later than 6 hours after arrival (Section 105(a)(3)(A)(i)).
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Access to Education and Recreation: State-licensed programs are required to provide educational instruction and recreational opportunities, including at least one hour of large-muscle activity daily (Sections 213 and 214).
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Focus on Family-Like Settings: The bill directs the placement of children in the least restrictive setting that most approximates a family (Section 222).
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Protection of Rights: The Ombudsperson is tasked with developing a notice of children's rights to be posted in childcare facilities and distributed to children upon arrival (Section 202).
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Legal Representation: Each unaccompanied noncitizen child in custody is to be represented by counsel provided at government expense (Section s402(a)).
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Protection for Children with Disabilities: The Director may not delay the release of a child with a disability based solely on a pending evaluation for services (Section 233(a)).
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Increased Judicial Capacity: The Attorney General is required to increase the number of immigration judges by not fewer than 75 during fiscal year 2026 (Section 502(a)(1)).
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Oversight and Accountability: The establishment of an independent Office of the Ombudsperson provides a way to monitor compliance and investigate claims of abuse or neglect (Section 601).
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Data Privacy and Protection: Personal information and case files are to be maintained separately from immigration files to ensure privacy (Section 801) and are protected from being used to deny legal relief (Section 802).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict Requirements for Restrictive Placements: To move a child to a restrictive placement, the government must provide clear and convincing evidence of an imminent danger, which could delay necessary high-security interventions (Section 226(b)(1)).
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Limitations on Facilities: The bill mandates a phase-out of large congregate care facilities (those housing more than 25 individuals), which may impact the capacity of available housing if the transition is not managed effectively (Section 221).
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Strict Criteria for Staff-Secure Facilities: A child can only be placed in a staff-secure facility if there is clear and convincing evidence that the danger does not stem from the child's trauma or mental health, which could limit options for children with complex needs (Section 226(c)(1)).
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Restrictions on Influx Facilities: The Director may not transfer certain children to an influx facility, such as those younger than 16 or those with special needs, which could impact placement logistics (Section 303(c)).
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Limitations on Legal Information: While legal orientation is provided, the bill specifies that the record of proceedings shall not form any part of the child's immigration file (Section 232(b)(3)(F)(v)).
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Mandatory Requirements for Post-Release Services: A case management specialist may determine that a child is at risk of harm, which can lead to requirements for services to be in place before release (Section 242(a)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill implements strict protections, mental health mandates, and prohibits family separation for noncitizen children. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — The bill includes specific mandates to protect the gender identity and expression of LGBTQI children in custody. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill mandates individualized needs assessments and specialized training for staff under the Rehabilitation Act. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill strengthens due process, provides legal counsel, and creates barriers against using personal data for enforcement. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prohibits denying sponsorship based on the prospective sponsor's poverty or use of public assistance. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides specific protections and cultural considerations for noncitizen children, many of whom are Hispanic.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of LGBTQ people? — The bill mandates that LGBTQI children be housed according to their gender identity and allows them to express themselves accordingly. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill explicitly prohibits discrimination against noncitizen children on the basis of mental or physical disability. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill prohibits using national origin or race as a basis for denying sponsorship and requires racial sensitivity training for personnel. Does this make child care cost less? — The bill provides a $46.5 million contingency fund for case management and prioritizes family-based therapeutic foster care. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill provides resources for those aging out of custody to apply for special immigrant juvenile status and prevents case files from being used for involuntary removal. Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill increases judicial capacity by requiring the Attorney General to increase the number of immigration judges by at least 75. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill protects information that can be used to facilitate family reunification and benefit eligibility. Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill limits the ability of DHS to access case files for the purposes of immigration enforcement.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill mandates weekly counseling sessions and evaluations by licensed psychologists or psychiatrists for children in therapeutic facilities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsperson and provides for Congressional oversight through facility tours.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one? — The bill mandates that state-licensed programs provide structured educational instruction and curricula consistent with state standards.
- 7/22/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 17 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts