United States · Bill · HR
H.R. 3531 (111th)
HELP Separated Children Act
Introduced
31 July 2009
Last action
—
Status
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
Sponsors
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Subjects
Discovery layer
Source updated
14 August 2025
Summary
Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections for Separated Children Act or the HELP Separated Children Act - Sets forth: (1) apprehension procedures for immigration enforcement-related activities engaged in by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or by other entities under agreement with DHS; and (2) related protections for apprehended persons who belong to specified vulnerable population groups. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) authorize an alien who has been arrested or detained pending a removal determination to be represented by counsel (at no cost to the government); and (2) require that an alien who has been in such custody for more that 48 hours be brought for a custody determination not later than 72 hours after commencement of detention. Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require that state plans for foster care and adoption assistance include provisions regarding foster care children with a parent, legal guardian, or primary caregiver relative who is in immigration detainment or has been removed from the United States. Directs the Secretary of DHS to: (1) mandate vulnerable population and child welfare training for immigration enforcement personnel; and (2) ensure that immigration detention facilities take steps to preserve family unity.
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Documents
3 official files
Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 31 July 2009
Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 31 July 2009
Introduced in House
summary · EN · 31 July 2009
Sponsors
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Sources
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- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3531
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/111/hr/3531