(5) PLAN.—The term ‘‘Plan’’ means the Plan 
of the Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern Tri-
angle. 
(6) SPONSOR.—The term ‘‘sponsor’’ means a 
sponsor referred to in section 462(b)(4) of the 
Homeland 
Security 
Act 
of 
2002 
(6 
U.S.C. 
279(b)(4)). 
(7) UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILD.—The term 
‘‘unaccompanied alien child’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 462(g) of the Homeland Security 
Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 279(g)). 
TITLE I—ADVANCING REFORMS 
IN CENTRAL AMERICA TO AD-
DRESS THE FACTORS DRIV-
ING MIGRATION 
Subtitle A—Strengthening the Ca-
pacity of Central American Gov-
ernments To Protect and Pro-
vide for Their Own People 
SEC. 
111. 
AUTHORIZATION 
OF 
APPROPRIATIONS 
FOR 
UNITED STATES STRATEGY FOR ENGAGE-
MENT IN CENTRAL AMERICA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated $1,040,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 to carry out 
the United States Strategy for Engagement in Central 
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America, as defined by the objectives set forth in sub-
section (b). Amounts appropriated pursuant to this sub-
section shall remain available until expended. 
(b) USE OF FUNDS.—Amounts appropriated pursu-
ant to subsection (a) may be made available for assistance 
to Central American countries to implement the United 
States Strategy for Engagement in Central America in 
support of the Plan, including efforts— 
(1) to strengthen the rule of law and bolster the 
effectiveness of judicial systems, public prosecutors’ 
offices, and civilian police forces; 
(2) to combat corruption and improve public 
sector transparency; 
(3) to confront and counter the violence and 
crime perpetrated by armed criminal gangs, illicit 
trafficking organizations, and organized crime; 
(4) to disrupt money laundering operations and 
the illicit financial networks of armed criminal 
gangs, illicit trafficking organizations, and human 
smugglers; 
(5) to strengthen democratic governance and 
promote greater respect for internationally recog-
nized human rights, labor rights, fundamental free-
doms, and the media; 
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(6) to enhance the capability of Central Amer-
ican governments to protect and provide for vulner-
able and at-risk populations; 
(7) to address the underlying causes of poverty 
and inequality; and 
(8) to address the constraints to inclusive eco-
nomic growth in Central America. 
(c) PRIORITIZATION.—The Secretary of State and 
the Administrator of the United States Agency for Inter-
national Development shall prioritize the provision of as-
sistance authorized under this section to address the key 
factors in Central American countries that contribute to 
the flight of unaccompanied alien children and other indi-
viduals to the United States. 
SEC. 112. STRENGTHENING THE RULE OF LAW AND COM-
BATING CORRUPTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Of the amounts appropriated pur-
suant to section 111(a), $260,000,000 may be made avail-
able to the Secretary of State and the Administrator of 
the United States Agency for International Development 
to strengthen the rule of law, combat corruption, consoli-
date democratic governance, and defend human rights. 
(b) ASSISTANCE FOR CENTRAL AMERICA.—The Sec-
retary and the Administrator may use the amounts made 
available under subsection (a) to provide assistance for 
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Central American countries through the activities de-
scribed in subsection (c). 
(c) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—Activities described 
in this section include— 
(1) strengthening the rule of law in Central 
American countries by providing support for— 
(A) the Office of the Attorney General and 
public prosecutors in each such country, includ-
ing— 
(i) the enhancement of their forensics 
and communications interception capabili-
ties; 
(ii) expansion of the presence of the 
Office of the Attorney General throughout 
each country’s national territory; 
(iii) specialized training for prosecu-
tors to investigate crimes of sexual vio-
lence; and 
(iv) the provision of active technical 
collaboration for complex investigations; 
(B) reforms leading to independent, merit- 
based, selection processes for judges and pros-
ecutors, and relevant ethics and professional 
training; 
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(C) the improvement of victim and witness 
protection; 
(D) the reform and improvement of prison 
facilities and management; and 
(E) 
ongoing, 
mandatory 
training 
for 
judges and prosecutors on sexual and gender- 
based violence and violence against LGBT per-
sons; 
(2) combating corruption by providing support 
for— 
(A) inspectors general and oversight insti-
tutions, including relevant training for inspec-
tors and auditors; 
(B) international commissions against im-
punity, including the International Commission 
Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), the 
Support Mission Against Corruption and Impu-
nity in Honduras (MACCIH), and potential 
similar efforts in El Salvador; 
(C) civil society watchdogs conducting 
oversight of executive branch officials and func-
tions, police and security forces, and judicial of-
ficials and public prosecutors; and 
(D) the enhancement of freedom of infor-
mation mechanisms; 
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(3) consolidating democratic governance by pro-
viding support for— 
(A) the reform of civil services, related 
training programs, and relevant career laws and 
processes that lead to independent, merit-based 
selection processes; 
(B) national legislatures and their capacity 
to conduct oversight of executive branch func-
tions; 
(C) the reform of political party and cam-
paign finance laws; and 
(D) local governments and their capacity 
to provide critical safety, education, health, and 
sanitation services to citizens; and 
(4) defending human rights by providing sup-
port for— 
(A) human rights ombudsman offices; 
(B) government protection programs that 
provide physical protection to human rights de-
fenders, journalists, trade unionists, and civil 
society activists at risk; 
(C) civil society organizations that promote 
and defend human rights, freedom of expres-
sion, freedom of the press, labor rights, and 
LGBT rights; and 
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(D) civil society organizations that address 
sexual, domestic, and inter-partner violence 
against women and protect victims of such vio-
lence. 
SEC. 113. COMBATING CRIMINAL VIOLENCE AND IMPROV-
ING CITIZEN SECURITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Of the amounts appropriated pur-
suant to section 111(a), $260,000,000 may be made avail-
able to the Secretary of State and the Administrator of 
the United States Agency for International Development 
to counter the violence and crime perpetrated by armed 
criminal gangs, illicit trafficking organizations and human 
smugglers. 
(b) ASSISTANCE FOR CENTRAL AMERICA.—The Sec-
retary and the Administrator may use the amounts made 
available under subsection (a) to provide assistance for 
Central American countries through the activities de-
scribed in subsection (c). 
(c) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—Activities described 
in this section include— 
(1) professionalizing civilian police forces by 
providing support for— 
(A) the reform of personnel vetting and 
dismissal processes, including the enhancement 
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of polygraph capability for use in such proc-
esses; 
(B) inspectors general and oversight of-
fices, including relevant training for inspectors 
and auditors; 
(C) community policing policies and pro-
grams; 
(D) the establishment of special vetted 
units, including specialized units capable of car-
rying out effective criminal investigations of 
sexual violence; 
(E) training on the appropriate use of 
force and human rights; 
(F) training on civilian intelligence collec-
tion, investigative techniques, forensic analysis, 
and evidence preservation; 
(G) equipment, such as nonintrusive in-
spection equipment and communications inter-
ception technology; and 
(H) ongoing, mandatory training for police 
on sexual and gender-based violence and vio-
lence against LGBT persons; 
(2) countering illicit trafficking by providing as-
sistance to the civilian law enforcement and armed 
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forces of Central American countries, including sup-
port for— 
(A) the establishment of special vetted 
units; 
(B) the enhancement of intelligence collec-
tion capacity; 
(C) the reform of personnel vetting and 
dismissal processes, including the enhancement 
of polygraph capability for use in such proc-
esses; and 
(D) port, airport, and border security 
equipment, including— 
(i) computer infrastructure and data 
management systems; 
(ii) 
secure 
communications 
tech-
nologies; 
(iii) communications interception tech-
nology; 
(iv) nonintrusive inspection equip-
ment; and 
(v) radar and aerial surveillance 
equipment; 
(3) disrupting illicit financial networks by pro-
viding support for— 
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(A) finance ministries, including the en-
hancement of the capacity to use financial sanc-
tions to block the assets of individuals and or-
ganizations involved in money laundering and 
the financing of armed criminal gangs, illicit 
trafficking networks, human smugglers, and or-
ganized crime; 
(B) financial intelligence units, including 
the establishment and enhancement of anti- 
money laundering programs; and 
(C) the reform of bank secrecy laws; and 
(4) improving crime prevention by providing 
support for— 
(A) programs that address domestic vio-
lence and violence against women; 
(B) the enhancement of programs for at- 
risk and criminal-involved youth, including the 
improvement of community centers; 
(C) alternative livelihood programs; and 
(D) programs to expand the capacity of 
Offices of the Attorney General to investigate 
threats and attacks against human rights de-
fenders. 
(d) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
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(1) operational technology transferred to gov-
ernments in Central America for intelligence or law 
enforcement purposes should be used solely for the 
purposes for which the technology was intended; and 
(2) the United States should take all necessary 
steps to ensure that the use of operation technology 
described in paragraph (1) is consistent with United 
States law, including protections of freedom of ex-
pression, freedom of movement, and freedom of as-
sociation. 
SEC. 114. TACKLING EXTREME POVERTY AND ADVANCING 
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) ALLOCATION TO DEPARTMENT OF STATE 
AND USAID.—Of the amounts appropriated pursuant 
to section 111(a), $230,000,000 may be made avail-
able to the Secretary of State and the Administrator 
of the United States Agency for International Devel-
opment— 
(A) to address the underlying causes of 
poverty and inequality; and 
(B) to improve economic development. 
(2) TRANSFER TO INTER-AMERICAN FOUNDA-
TION.—Not less than $15,000,000 of any amount 
made available to the Secretary of State and the Ad-
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ministrator of the United States Agency for Inter-
national Development under paragraph (1) shall be 
transferred to the Inter-American Foundation to ad-
dress the root causes of child migration from the 
Northern Triangle 
(b) ASSISTANCE FOR CENTRAL AMERICA.—The Sec-
retary and the Administrator may use the amounts made 
available under subsection (a) to provide assistance for 
Central American countries through the activities de-
scribed in subsection (c). 
(c) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—Activities described 
in this section include— 
(1) strengthening human capital by providing 
support for— 
(A) workforce development and entrepre-
neurship training programs that are driven by 
market demand, specifically programs that 
prioritize women, at-risk youth, and minorities; 
(B) improving early-grade literacy and the 
improvement of primary and secondary school 
curricula; 
(C) relevant professional training for 
teachers and educational administrators; and 
(D) educational policy reform and improve-
ment of education sector budgeting; 
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(2) enhancing economic competitiveness and in-
vestment climate by providing support for— 
(A) small business development centers 
and programs that strengthen supply chain in-
tegration; 
(B) trade facilitation and customs harmo-
nization programs; 
(C) reducing energy costs through invest-
ments in clean technologies and the reform of 
energy policies and regulations; 
(D) the improvement of protections for in-
vestors, including dispute resolution and arbi-
tration mechanisms; and 
(E) the improvement of labor and environ-
mental standards, in accordance with the Do-
minican Republic–Central America Free Trade 
Agreement (CAFTA–DR); 
(3) strengthening food security by providing 
support for— 
(A) small-scale agriculture, including tech-
nical training and programs that facilitate ac-
cess to credit; 
(B) agricultural value chain development 
for farming communities; 
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(C) nutrition programs to reduce childhood 
stunting rates; and 
(D) investment in scientific research on cli-
mate change and climate resiliency; 
(4) improving the state of fiscal and financial 
affairs by providing support for— 
(A) domestic revenue generation, including 
programs to improve tax administration, collec-
tion, and enforcement; 
(B) strengthening public sector financial 
management, including strategic budgeting and 
expenditure tracking; and 
(C) reform of customs and procurement 
policies and processes; and 
(5) improving the reintegration of returned mi-
grants back into society by providing support for 
targeted— 
(A) health and social services for returned 
migrants; and 
(B) job training programs for returned mi-
grants. 
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Subtitle 
B—Conditions, 
Limita-
tions, 
and 
Certifications 
on 
United States Assistance 
SEC. 121. ASSISTANCE FUNDING AVAILABLE WITHOUT CON-
DITION. 
The Secretary of State may obligate up to 25 percent 
of the amounts appropriated pursuant to section 111(a) 
to carry out the United States Strategy for Engagement 
in Central America in support of the Plan. 
SEC. 122. CONDITIONS ON ASSISTANCE RELATED TO SMUG-
GLING, SCREENING, AND SAFETY OF MI-
GRANTS. 
(a) NOTIFICATION AND COOPERATION.—In addition 
to the amounts authorized to be obligated under sections 
121 and 123, the Secretary of State may obligate an addi-
tional 25 percent of the amounts appropriated pursuant 
to section 111(a) for assistance to the Government of El 
Salvador, the Government of Guatemala, and the Govern-
ment of Honduras after the Secretary of State, in con-
sultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, cer-
tifies and reports to Congress that such governments are 
taking effective steps, in addition to steps taken during 
previous years, to— 
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(1) combat human smuggling and trafficking, 
including investigating, prosecuting, and increasing 
penalties for individuals responsible for such crimes; 
(2) improve border security and border screen-
ing to detect and deter illicit smuggling and traf-
ficking, while respecting the rights of individuals 
fleeing violence and seeking humanitarian protection 
asylum, in accordance with international law; 
(3) cooperate with United States Government 
agencies and other governments in the region to fa-
cilitate the safe and timely repatriation of migrants 
who do not qualify for refugee or other protected 
status, in accordance with international law; 
(4) improve reintegration services for repatri-
ated migrants in a manner that ensures the safety 
and well-being of the individual and reduces the like-
lihood of remigration; and 
(5) cooperate with the United Nations High 
Commissioner for Refugees to improve protections 
for, and the processing of, vulnerable populations, 
particularly women and children fleeing violence. 
SEC. 123. CONDITIONS ON ASSISTANCE RELATED TO 
PROGRESS ON SPECIFIC ISSUES. 
(a) EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION.—In addition to 
the amounts authorized to be obligated under sections 121 
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and 122, the Secretary of State may obligate an additional 
50 percent of the amounts appropriated pursuant to sec-
tion 111 for assistance to the Government of El Salvador, 
the Government of Guatemala, and the Government of 
Honduras after the Secretary consults with, and subse-
quently certifies and reports to, the appropriate congres-
sional committees that such governments are taking effec-
tive steps in their respective countries, in addition to steps 
taken during the previous calendar year, to— 
(1) establish an autonomous, publicly account-
able entity to provide oversight of the Plan; 
(2) combat corruption, including investigating 
and prosecuting government officials, military per-
sonnel, and civil police officers credibly alleged to be 
corrupt; 
(3) implement reforms and strengthen the rule 
of law, including increasing the capacity and inde-
pendence of the judiciary and public prosecutors; 
(4) counter the activities of armed criminal 
gangs, illicit trafficking networks, and organized 
crime; 
(5) establish and implement a plan to create a 
professional, accountable civilian police force and 
curtail the role of the military in internal policing; 
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(6) investigate and prosecute, through the civil-
ian justice system, military and police personnel who 
are credibly alleged to have violated human rights, 
and to ensure that the military and the police are 
cooperating in such cases; 
(7) cooperate with international commissions 
against impunity, as appropriate, and with regional 
human rights entities; 
(8) implement reforms related to improving the 
transparency of financing political campaigns and 
political parties; 
(9) protect the right of political opposition par-
ties, journalists, trade unionists, human rights de-
fenders, and other civil society activists to operate 
without interference; 
(10) increase government revenues, including by 
enhancing tax collection, strengthening customs 
agencies, and reforming procurement processes; 
(11) implement reforms to strengthen edu-
cational systems, vocational training programs, and 
programs for at-risk youth; 
(12) resolve commercial disputes, including the 
confiscation of real property, between United States 
entities and the respective governments; and 
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(13) implement a policy by which local commu-
nities, civil society organizations (including indige-
nous and marginalized groups), and local govern-
ments are consulted in the design, implementation 
and evaluation of the activities of the Plan that af-
fect such communities, organizations, or govern-
ments. 
Subtitle 
C—Effectively 
Coordi-
nating United States Engage-
ment in Central America 
SEC. 131. UNITED STATES COORDINATOR FOR ENGAGE-
MENT IN CENTRAL AMERICA. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—Not later than 30 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall des-
ignate a senior official to coordinate all of the Federal 
Government’s efforts and the efforts of international part-
ners to strengthen citizen security, the rule of law, and 
economic prosperity in Central America and to protect vul-
nerable populations in the region. 
(b) SUPERVISION.—The official designated under 
subsection (a) shall report directly to the President. 
(c) DUTIES.—The official designated under sub-
section (a) shall coordinate all of the efforts, activities, and 
programs related to United States engagement in Central 
America, including— 
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(1) coordinating with the Department of State, 
the Department of Justice (including the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation), the Department of Home-
land Security, the intelligence community, and inter-
national partners regarding United States efforts to 
confront armed criminal gangs, illicit trafficking net-
works, and organized crime responsible for high lev-
els of violence, extortion, and corruption in Central 
America; 
(2) coordinating with the Department of State, 
the United States Agency for International Develop-
ment, and international partners regarding United 
States efforts to prevent and mitigate the effects of 
violent criminal gangs and transnational criminal or-
ganizations on vulnerable Central American popu-
lations, including women and children; 
(3) coordinating with the Department of State, 
the Department of Homeland Security, and inter-
national partners regarding United States efforts to 
counter human smugglers illegally transporting Cen-
tral American migrants to the United States; 
(4) coordinating with the Department of State, 
the Department of Homeland Security, the United 
States Agency for International Development, and 
international partners, including the United Nations 
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High Commissions for Refugees, to increase protec-
tions for vulnerable Central American populations, 
improve refugee processing, and strengthen asylum 
systems throughout the region; 
(5) coordinating with the Department of State, 
the Department of Defense, the Department of Jus-
tice (including the Drug Enforcement Administra-
tion), the Department of the Treasury, the intel-
ligence community, and international partners re-
garding United States efforts to combat illicit nar-
cotics traffickers, interdict transshipments of illicit 
narcotics, and disrupt the financing of the illicit nar-
cotics trade; 
(6) coordinating with the Department of State, 
the Department of the Treasury, the Department of 
Justice, the intelligence community, the United 
States Agency for International Development, and 
international partners regarding United States ef-
forts to combat corruption, money laundering, and 
illicit financial networks; 
(7) coordinating with the Department of State, 
the Department of Justice, the United States Agen-
cy for International Development, and international 
partners regarding United States efforts to strength-
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en the rule of law, democratic governance, and 
human rights protections; and 
(8) coordinating with the Department of State, 
the Department of Agriculture, the United States 
Agency for International Development, the Overseas 
Private Investment Corporation, the United States 
Trade and Development Agency, the Department of 
Labor, and international partners, including the 
Inter-American Development Bank, to strengthen 
the foundation for inclusive economic growth and 
improve food security, investment climate, and pro-
tections for labor rights. 
(d) CONSULTATION.—The official designated under 
subsection (a) shall consult with Congress, multilateral or-
ganizations and institutions, foreign governments, and do-
mestic and international civil society organizations. 
Subtitle D—Targeting Assistance to 
Appropriate Communities in the 
Northern Triangle 
SEC. 141. TARGETING ASSISTANCE TO APPROPRIATE COM-
MUNITIES. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act and annually thereafter for each of the 5 suc-
ceeding years, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
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of the House of Representatives, the Committee on For-
eign Relations of the Senate, and the Committees on Ap-
propriations of the House of Representatives and the Sen-
ate a report that contains the following: 
(1) Raw data on the number of children migrat-
ing from each community or geographic area in the 
Northern Triangle to the United States. 
(2) An assessment of whether U.S. foreign as-
sistance to the Northern Triangle is effectively 
reaching the communities from which children are 
migrating. 
(3) An assessment of the extent to which the 
State Department and USAID are adjusting pro-
gramming in the Northern Triangle as migration 
patterns shift. 
Subtitle E—Regional Millennium 
Challenge Corporation Compacts 
SEC. 151. MCC COMPACTS. 
(a) CONCURRENT COMPACTS.—Section 609 of the 
Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7708) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking the first sentence of subsection 
(k); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (k) the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
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‘‘(l) CONCURRENT COMPACTS.—In accordance with 
the requirements of this title, an eligible country and the 
United States may enter into and have in effect more than 
one Compact at any given time, including a concurrent 
Compact for purposes of regional economic integration or 
cross-border collaborations, only if the Board determines 
that the country is making considerable and demonstrable 
progress in implementing the terms of the existing Com-
pact and supplementary agreements thereto.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 609(b)(1) of such Act (22 U.S.C. 
7708(b)(1)) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘the eligible country’’ and 
inserting ‘‘each eligible country or regional de-
velopment strategy in the case of regional in-
vestments’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘the’’ and inserting ‘‘each’’ 
before ‘‘country’’ in section 609(b)(1) (A), (B), 
(E), and (J). 
(2) Section 609(b)(3) of such Act (22 U.S.C. 
7708(b)(3)) is amended— 
(A) by inserting after ‘‘national develop-
ment strategy’’ the following: ‘‘or regional de-
velopment strategy’’; and 
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(B) by inserting after ‘‘government of the 
country’’ the following: ‘‘or governments of the 
countries in the case of regional investments’’. 
(3) Section 613(b)(2)(A) of such Act (22 
U.S.C. 7712(b)(2)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘the’’ 
before ‘‘Compact’’ and inserting ‘‘any’’. 
Subtitle F—United States Leader-
ship for Engaging International 
Donors and Partners 
SEC. 161. REQUIREMENT FOR STRATEGY TO SECURE SUP-
PORT 
OF 
INTERNATIONAL 
DONORS 
AND 
PARTNERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State 
shall submit a 3-year strategy to the appropriate congres-
sional committees that— 
(1) describes how the United States will secure 
support from international donors and regional part-
ners (including Colombia and Mexico) for the imple-
mentation of the Plan; 
(2) identifies governments that are willing to 
provide financial and technical assistance for the im-
plementation of the Plan and a description of such 
assistance; and 
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(3) identifies the financial and technical assist-
ance to be provided by multilateral institutions, in-
cluding the Inter-American Development Bank, the 
World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the 
Andean 
Development 
Corporation—Development 
Bank of Latin America, and the Organization of 
American States, and a description of such assist-
ance. 
(b) DIPLOMATIC
ENGAGEMENT
AND
COORDINA-
TION.—The Secretary of State, in coordination with the 
Secretary of the Treasury, as appropriate, shall— 
(1) carry out diplomatic engagement to secure 
contributions of financial and technical assistance 
from international donors and partners in support of 
the Plan; and 
(2) take all necessary steps to ensure effective 
cooperation among international donors and part-
ners supporting the Plan. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after submitting 
the strategy submitted under subsection (a), the Secretary 
of State shall submit a report to the appropriate congres-
sional committees that describes— 
(1) the progress made in implementing the 
strategy; and 
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(2) the financial and technical assistance pro-
vided by international donors and partners, includ-
ing the multilateral institutions listed in subsection 
(a)(3). 
(d) BRIEFINGS.—Upon a request from one of the ap-
propriate congressional committees, the Secretary of State 
shall provide a briefing to the committee that describes 
the progress made in implementing the strategy submitted 
under subsection (a). 
(e) DEFINED TERM.—In this section, the term ‘‘ap-
propriate congressional committees’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
Senate; 
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate; 
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 
House of Representatives; and 
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the 
House of Representatives. 
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TITLE II—CRACKING DOWN ON 
SMUGGLERS, CARTELS, AND 
TRAFFICKERS 
EXPLOITING 
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES 
Subtitle 
A—Strengthening 
Co-
operation Among Law Enforce-
ment Agencies To Target Smug-
glers and Traffickers 
SEC. 211. ENHANCED INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO 
COMBAT HUMAN SMUGGLING AND TRAF-
FICKING. 
(a) PARTNERSHIP EXPANSION.—The Secretary of 
Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of 
State, shall expand partnership efforts with law enforce-
ment entities in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and 
Mexico seeking to combat human smuggling and traf-
ficking in those countries while recognizing the rights of 
individuals fleeing violence and seeking humanitarian pro-
tection, including— 
(1) the creation or expansion of transnational 
criminal investigative units to identify, disrupt, and 
prosecute human smuggling and trafficking oper-
ations; 
(2) participation by U.S. Immigration and Cus-
toms Enforcement and the Department of Justice in 
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the Bilateral Human Trafficking Enforcement Ini-
tiative with their Mexican law enforcement counter-
parts; and 
(3) advanced training programs for investiga-
tors and prosecutors from El Salvador, Guatemala, 
Honduras, and Mexico. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out subsection (a). 
SEC. 212. ENHANCED INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION 
OF HUMAN SMUGGLING AND TRAFFICKING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Attorney General and the 
Secretary of Homeland Security shall expand collaborative 
programs aimed at investigating and prosecuting human 
smugglers and traffickers targeting Central American chil-
dren and families and operating at the Southwestern bor-
der, including the continuation and expansion of anti-traf-
ficking coordination teams, with a particular focus on 
human smugglers and traffickers who are believed to be 
using violence, sexual assault, or other forms of abuse. 
(b) HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS.—The 
Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the 
Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 
shall increase the resources available to Homeland Secu-
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rity Investigations to facilitate the expansion of its smug-
gling and trafficking investigations. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out subsections (a) and (b). 
SEC. 213. INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ON DANGERS OF MI-
GRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall de-
sign and implement public information campaigns in El 
Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras— 
(1) to disseminate information about the dan-
gers of travel across Mexico to the United States; 
and 
(2) to combat misinformation about United 
States immigration law or policy. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The information campaigns imple-
mented pursuant to subsection (a) shall, to the greatest 
extent possible— 
(1) be targeted at populations and localities 
with high migration rates; 
(2) employ a variety of communications media; 
and 
(3) be developed in consultation with program 
officials at the Department of Homeland Security, 
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the Department of State, or other government, non-
profit, or academic entities in close contact with mi-
grant populations from El Salvador, Guatemala, and 
Honduras, including repatriated migrants. 
Subtitle B—Strengthening the Abil-
ity of the United States Govern-
ment To Crack Down on Smug-
glers, Traffickers, and Drug Car-
tels 
SEC. 221. ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR ORGANIZED SMUG-
GLING SCHEMES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 274(a)(1)(B) of the Im-
migration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324(a)(1)(B)) 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) as 
clauses (iv) and (v), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after clause (ii) the following: 
‘‘(iii) in the case of a violation of subparagraph 
(A)(i) during and in relation to which the person, 
being 18 years of age or older, while acting for prof-
it or other financial gain, knowingly directs or par-
ticipates in an effort or scheme to assist or cause 10 
or more persons (other than a parent, spouse, or 
child of the offender) to enter or to attempt to enter 
the United States at the same time at a place other 
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than a designated port of entry or place other than 
designated by the Secretary, be fined under title 18, 
United States Code, imprisoned not more than 15 
years, or both;’’; and 
(3) in clause (iv), as redesignated, by inserting 
‘‘commits or attempts to commit sexual assault of,’’ 
after ‘‘section 1365 of title 18, United States Code) 
to,’’. 
(b) BULK CASH SMUGGLING.—Section 5332(b)(1) of 
title 31, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the paragraph heading, by striking 
‘‘TERM OF IMPRISONMENT’’ and inserting ‘‘IN GEN-
ERAL’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘, fined under title 18, or 
both’’ after ‘‘5 years’’. 
SEC. 222. EXPANDING FINANCIAL SANCTIONS ON NAR-
COTICS TRAFFICKING AND MONEY LAUN-
DERING. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) In July 2011, President Obama released 
‘‘Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized 
Crime’’, which articulates a multidimensional re-
sponse to combat transnational organized crime, in-
cluding drug trafficking networks, armed criminal 
gangs, and money laundering. 
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(2) The Strategy calls for expanded efforts to 
dismantle 
illicit 
financial 
networks, 
including 
through maximizing the use of the Foreign Nar-
cotics Kingpin Designation Act (21 U.S.C. 1901 et 
seq.). 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Senate should immediately confirm pending 
nominations to key national security positions, including 
Mr. Adam Szubin, who was nominated by President 
Obama on April 16, 2015, to the position of Undersecre-
tary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes within the De-
partment of the Treasury, a critical position focused on 
identifying and confronting illicit financial networks. 
(c) FINANCIAL SANCTIONS EXPANSION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Treas-
ury, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, 
the Secretary of Defense, and the Director of Cen-
tral Intelligence shall expand investigations, intel-
ligence collection, and analysis pursuant to the For-
eign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act to increase 
the identification and application of sanctions 
against— 
(A) significant foreign narcotics traf-
fickers, their organizations and networks; and 
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(B) the foreign persons who provide mate-
rial, financial, or technological support to such 
traffickers, organizations, and networks. 
(2) TARGETS.—The efforts described in para-
graph (1) shall specifically target foreign narcotics 
traffickers, their organizations and networks, and 
the foreign persons who provide material, financial, 
or technological support to such traffickers, organi-
zations and networks that are present and operating 
in Central or South America. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out subsection (c). 
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TITLE III—MINIMIZING BORDER 
CROSSINGS 
BY 
EXPANDING 
PROCESSING 
OF 
REFUGEE 
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN- 
COUNTRY AND IN THE RE-
GION 
Subtitle A—Providing Alternative 
Safe Havens in Mexico and the 
Region 
SEC. 311. STRENGTHENING INTERNAL ASYLUM SYSTEMS IN 
MEXICO AND OTHER COUNTRIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State, in con-
sultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall 
work with international partners, including the United 
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to support and 
provide technical assistance to strengthen the domestic ca-
pacity of Mexico and other countries in the region to pro-
vide asylum to eligible children and families by— 
(1) establishing and expanding temporary and 
long-term in-country reception centers and shelter 
capacity to meet the humanitarian needs of those 
seeking asylum or other forms of international pro-
tection; 
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(2) improving the asylum registration system to 
ensure that all individuals seeking asylum or other 
humanitarian protection— 
(A) are properly screened for security, in-
cluding biographic and biometric capture; 
(B) receive due process and meaningful ac-
cess to existing legal protections; and 
(C) receive proper documents in order to 
prevent fraud and ensure freedom of movement 
and access to basic social services; 
(3) creating or expanding a corps of trained 
asylum officers capable of evaluating and deciding 
individual asylum claims consistent with inter-
national law and obligations; 
(4) developing the capacity to conduct best in-
terest determinations for unaccompanied alien chil-
dren to ensure that their needs are properly met, 
which may include family reunification or resettle-
ment based on international protection needs; and 
(5) upholding best practices consistent with 
international law and obligations regarding the pro-
tection of vulnerable populations such as women and 
children. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
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consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, 
shall submit a report that describes the plans of the Sec-
retary of State to assist in developing the asylum proc-
essing capabilities described in subsection (a) to— 
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
Senate; 
(2) the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs of the Senate; 
(3) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Sen-
ate; 
(4) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 
House of Representatives; 
(5) the Committee on Homeland Security of the 
House of Representatives; and 
(6) the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
House of Representatives. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out subsection (a). 
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Subtitle 
B—Expanding 
Refugee 
Processing in Mexico and Cen-
tral America for Third Country 
Resettlement 
SEC. 321. EXPANDING REFUGEE PROCESSING IN MEXICO 
AND CENTRAL AMERICA FOR THIRD COUN-
TRY RESETTLEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State, in con-
sultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall 
coordinate with the United Nations High Commissioner 
for Refugees to support and provide technical assistance 
to the Government of Mexico and the governments of 
other countries in the region to increase access to global 
resettlement for eligible children and families with protec-
tion needs by— 
(1) establishing and expanding in-country ref-
ugee reception centers to meet the humanitarian 
needs of those seeking international protection; 
(2) improving the refugee registration system to 
ensure that all refugees— 
(A) are properly screened for security, in-
cluding biographic and biometric capture; 
(B) receive due process and meaningful ac-
cess to existing legal protections; and 
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(C) receive proper documents in order to 
prevent fraud and ensure freedom of movement 
and access to basic social services; 
(3) creating or expanding a corps of trained 
refugee officers capable of evaluating and deciding 
individual claims for protection, consistent with 
international law and obligations; and 
(4) developing the capacity to conduct best in-
terest determinations for unaccompanied alien chil-
dren to ensure that— 
(A) such children with international pro-
tection needs are properly registered; and 
(B) their needs are properly met, which 
may include family reunification or resettlement 
based on international protection needs. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, 
shall submit a report to the committees listed in section 
311(b) that describes the plans of the Secretary of State 
to assist in developing the refugee processing capabilities 
described in subsection (a). 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out subsection (a). 
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Subtitle 
C—Improving 
the 
Effi-
ciency of the Central American 
Minors Program 
SEC. 331. EXPANSION. 
The Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 
Services shall increase the resources directed to the CAM 
Program, including— 
(1) increasing the number of refugee officers 
available for in-country processing; and 
(2) establishing additional site locations. 
SEC. 332. EXPEDITED PROCESSING. 
Not later than 180 days after receiving a completed 
application from an unaccompanied alien child seeking 
protection under the CAM Program, the Director of U.S. 
Citizenship and Immigration Services shall make a final 
determination on such application unless the security 
screening for such child cannot be completed during the 
180-day period. 
SEC. 333. REFERRAL TO UNHCR. 
The Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 
Services or the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bu-
reau of Population, Refugees, and Migration shall refer 
any child who is the proposed beneficiary of an application 
under the CAM Program and is facing immediate risk of 
harm to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refu-
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gees for registration and safe passage to an established 
emergency transit center for refugees. 
TITLE 
IV—MONITORING 
AND 
SUPPORTING 
UNACCOM-
PANIED 
ALIEN 
CHILDREN 
AFTER PROCESSING AT THE 
BORDER 
SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS; AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIA-
TIONS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this title: 
(1) DEPARTMENT.—Except as otherwise indi-
cated, the term ‘‘Department’’ means the Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services. 
(2) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means 
the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement 
of the Department. 
(3) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY.—The term 
‘‘local educational agency’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
(4) RESIDENT
ADULT.—The term ‘‘resident 
adult’’ means any individual age 18 or older who 
regularly lives, shares common areas, and sleeps in 
a sponsor or prospective sponsor’s home. 
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(5) SECRETARY.—Except as otherwise indi-
cated, the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out this title. 
Subtitle A—Strengthening the Gov-
ernment’s Ability To Oversee 
the Safety and Well-Being of 
Children 
SEC. 411. BACKGROUND CHECKS TO ENSURE THE SAFE 
PLACEMENT 
OF 
UNACCOMPANIED 
ALIEN 
CHILDREN. 
(a) CRIMINAL AND CIVIL RECORD CHECKS.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT.—In carrying out the func-
tions transferred to the Director under section 
462(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
U.S.C. 279(a)), from amounts appropriated pursu-
ant to section 401(b) to carry out this section, the 
Director shall perform, consistent with best practices 
in the field of child welfare, and a prospective spon-
sor and all resident adults in the home of the pro-
spective sponsor shall submit to the following record 
checks (which shall be completed as expeditiously as 
possible): 
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(A) Fingerprint-based checks (except as 
described in paragraph (2)) in national crime 
information databases, as defined in section 
534(e)(3) of title 28, United States Code. 
(B) A search of the State criminal registry 
or repository for any State (except as described 
in paragraph (3)) in which the prospective 
sponsor or resident adult has resided during the 
5 years preceding the search. 
(C) A search of the National Sex Offender 
Registry established under section 119 of the 
Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 
2006 (42 U.S.C. 16919). 
(D) A search (except as described in para-
graphs (2) and (3)) of State-based child abuse 
and neglect registries and databases for any 
State in which the prospective sponsor or resi-
dent adult has resided during the 5 years pre-
ceding the search. 
(2) PARENTS AND GUARDIANS.—For purposes 
of paragraph (1), if the prospective sponsor is the 
parent or guardian of the child involved, the Direc-
tor shall have discretion to determine whether the 
Director shall perform, and the prospective sponsor 
and resident adults described in paragraph (1) shall 
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submit to, a check described in subparagraph (A) or 
(D) of paragraph (1). 
(3) WAIVERS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary deter-
mines that it is not feasible to conduct the 
check described in subparagraph (B) or (D) of 
paragraph (1) for a State, including infeasi-
bility due to a State’s refusal or nonresponse in 
response to a request for related information, or 
that the average time to receive results from a 
State for such a check is more than 10 business 
days, the Secretary may waive the requirements 
of that subparagraph with respect to the State 
involved for a period of not more than 1 year. 
The Secretary may renew the waiver in accord-
ance with this subparagraph. 
(B) PROHIBITION ON DELEGATION.—The 
Secretary may not delegate the responsibility 
under subparagraph (A) to another officer or 
employee of the Department. 
(C) STATES WHERE WAIVERS APPLY.—The 
Secretary shall make available, on a website of 
the Department, the list of States for which the 
requirements of subparagraph (B) or (D) of 
paragraph (1) are waived under this paragraph. 
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(4) USE OF RECORD CHECKS.—The information 
revealed by a record check performed pursuant to 
this section shall be used only by the Director for 
the purpose of determining whether a potential 
sponsor is a suitable sponsor for a placement for an 
unaccompanied alien child. 
(b) PLACEMENT DETERMINATIONS GENERALLY.— 
(1) 
DENIALS
REQUIRED
FOR
CERTAIN 
CRIMES.—The Director shall deny any placement for 
a prospective sponsor (other than the parent or 
guardian of the child involved), and may deny any 
placement for a prospective sponsor who is the par-
ent or guardian of the child involved subject to sub-
section (c), if the record checks performed pursuant 
to this section reveal that the prospective sponsor or 
a resident adult in the home of the prospective spon-
sor was convicted at age 18 or older of a crime that 
is a felony consisting of any of the following: 
(A) Domestic violence, stalking, child 
abuse, child neglect, or child abandonment, if 
the prospective sponsor or resident adult served 
at least 1 year imprisonment for a crime speci-
fied in this subparagraph, or if the prospective 
sponsor or resident adult was convicted of 2 or 
more crimes specified in this subparagraph, not 
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arising out of a single scheme of criminal mis-
conduct. 
(B) A crime against a child involving por-
nography. 
(C) Human trafficking. 
(D) Rape or sexual assault. 
(E) Homicide. 
(2) DENIALS CONSIDERED FOR CERTAIN OF-
FENSES.—The Director may deny a placement for a 
prospective sponsor if the record checks performed 
pursuant to this section reveal that the prospective 
sponsor or a resident adult in the home of a pro-
spective sponsor was adjudged guilty of a civil of-
fense or was convicted of a crime not covered by 
paragraph (1). The Director, in making a deter-
mination about whether to approve or deny the 
placement, shall consider all of the following factors: 
(A) The type of offense. 
(B) The number of offenses the sponsor or 
resident adult has been adjudged guilty or con-
victed of. 
(C) The length of time that has elapsed 
since the adjudication or conviction. 
(D) The nature of the offense. 
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Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5850.IH
H5850
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS