H.R. 4349: Stop Government Abandonment and Placement Scandals Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Stop Government Abandonment and Placement Scandals Act of 2025, aims to revise the responsibilities of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) concerning unaccompanied alien children. Here are the main components of the bill:

Short Title

The bill can be referred to as the Stop GAPS Act of 2025.

Amendments to Regulations

The bill mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to amend specific regulations related to unaccompanied minors by removing a particular paragraph from the Code of Federal Regulations. This change is intended to clarify the obligations regarding the sponsorship of unaccompanied children.

Responsibilities of the Office of Refugee Resettlement

The bill outlines the duties of the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement as follows:

• Tracking Unaccompanied Alien Children: The ORR is required to actively track each unaccompanied alien child who has been released from the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This tracking is necessary while the child is in the United States and is involved in ongoing immigration proceedings.
• Finding Suitable Placements: The ORR must collaborate with states to locate appropriate placements for these unaccompanied alien children. This involves working with state authorities to ensure that children are placed in safe environments while their immigration matters are resolved.

Overall Goal

The overarching aim of the bill is to improve the system for managing unaccompanied alien children, ensuring that they are tracked effectively and placed in suitable settings while awaiting resolution of their immigration cases. Through these proposed changes, the bill seeks to enhance oversight and support for these vulnerable individuals in the immigration system.

Relevant Companies

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