Safe Sponsor Act of 2022
Bill: H.R.7212 | Sponsor: Rep. Keller, Fred (R-PA)
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
Safe Sponsor Act of 2022
This bill prohibits the placement of an unaccompanied alien child with a proposed custodian who is not a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. The bill also requires a custodian to post a bond as assurance that the child will attend each necessary immigration-related legal proceeding.

To amend the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection 
      Reauthorization Act of 2008 with respect to the release of 
         unaccompanied alien children, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Safe Sponsor Act of 2022''.

SEC. 2. RELEASE FROM CUSTODY.

    (a) In General.--Section 235(c)(3) of the William Wilberforce 
Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (8 U.S.C. 
1232(c)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph:
                    ``(D) Citizenship or lawful permanent residency 
                status.--
                            ``(i) In general.--An unaccompanied alien 
                        child may not be placed with a proposed 
                        custodian unless the Secretary of Health and 
                        Human Services, in consultation with the 
                        Secretary of Homeland Security, determines that 
                        such custodian is a citizen of the United 
                        States or an alien lawfully admitted for 
                        permanent residence.
                            ``(ii) Proof of status.--For the purpose of 
                        clause (i), a proposed custodian shall 
                        demonstrate that they are a United States 
                        citizen or alien lawfully admitted for 
                        permanent residency by producing one of the 
                        following documents:
                                    ``(I) A valid unexpired United 
                                States passport or United States 
                                passport card.
                                    ``(II) A birth certificate proving 
                                birth in the United States.
                                    ``(III) A certificate of 
                                naturalization.
                                    ``(IV) A certificate of 
                                citizenship.
                                    ``(V) A report designated as a 
                                `Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of 
                                the United States', issued by a 
                                consular officer to document a citizen 
                                born abroad.
                                    ``(VI) An alien registration card 
                                or permanent resident card.''.
    (b) Requirement of Bond for Placement.--Section 235(c) of the 
William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act 
of 2008 (8 U.S.C. 1232(c)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph:
            ``(7) Bond required for placement.--In addition to the 
        requirements of this section and before placing an 
        unaccompanied alien child with a proposed custodian, the 
        Secretary of Health and Human Services shall require a bond of 
        at least $1,500, to be paid by the proposed custodian, in 
        assurance that the unaccompanied alien child will attend, as 
        necessary, each legal proceeding with respect to their 
        immigration status.''.
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