U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) joined U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) to introduce the Kayla Hamilton Act on Friday.
The bill would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct thorough background and criminal record checks on unaccompanied alien children (UACs) and potential sponsors before their placement. This legislation is named in honor of Kayla Hamilton, a young woman who was sexually assaulted and brutally murdered by a 17-year-old MS-13 gang member and UAC who illegally entered the country through the southern border and was released by the Biden administration to a sponsor.
"Crimes that are committed by illegal aliens who shouldn't be here in the first place are 100% preventable," Tuberville said. "Kayla Hamilton's story is yet another tragic example of the Biden administration prioritizing illegal aliens over the safety of American citizens. Our bill is a crucial step in the right direction to ensure crimes like this never happen again."
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery also co-sponsored the bill.
U.S. Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) introduced this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill passed out of the House Judiciary Committee and is now pending a vote on the House floor.
The bar to placement applies not only to individuals seeking to sponsor a UAC but also to any adult living in the household of the potential sponsor who has a criminal history.
The bill also requires the federal government to:
- Ensure UACs show up for their immigration and judicial proceedings.
- Place UACs in a secure facility if they are a danger to themselves or others, a flight risk, committed gang-related crimes, are aggravated felons, or have committed and/or been convicted of other serious crimes.
- Obtain the UAC's criminal records from their country of nationality or last habitual residence.
- Requires HHS to collect information from the potential sponsor and individuals residing in the household of that sponsor, including immigration status, background and security checks, full names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, telephone numbers and email addresses.
- And examine all UACs over the age of 12 for gang-related markings and tattoos.
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