S. 1997: Stop Government Abandonment and Placement Scandals Act of 2025

This bill is titled the Stop Government Abandonment and Placement Scandals Act of 2025. Its main focus is to revise and enhance the responsibilities of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in handling unaccompanied alien children—those who arrive in the U.S. without a parent or guardian.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes several important changes:

• Monitoring of Unaccompanied Alien Children: The ORR Director will be required to track each unaccompanied alien child who is released from the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) while these children are:
  • Present in the United States
  • Involved in ongoing immigration proceedings
• Collaboration with States: The bill mandates that the ORR must work with individual states to find suitable placements for these unaccompanied alien children. This may involve ensuring that there are adequate resources and support systems in place for their care and integration.

By introducing these measures, the bill aims to improve the oversight and support of unaccompanied alien children throughout the immigration process, potentially preventing situations where children may be inadequately cared for or left without proper placement.

Purpose of the Legislation

The primary intent behind this legislation is to address concerns about the treatment and placement of unaccompanied minors within the U.S. immigration system. It seeks to enhance accountability and ensure that these children are tracked and properly placed during their time in the country, particularly as they navigate their immigration proceedings.

Implementation

The proposed changes would require amendments to existing regulations to facilitate greater oversight and coordination between the ORR and state governments. This could involve adjustments to existing policies regarding how these children are processed and supported once they are released by immigration authorities.

Relevant Companies

None found.