Bennet Introduces Bill to Protect Minor Children Left Behind When Parents Arrested or Detained by U.S. Immigration Officials

Statement

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet this week introduced legislation to protect the safety and well-being of minor children who have been left alone and vulnerable after their parents are arrested or detained by U.S. immigration authorities.

"Coloradans have witnessed the stress and trauma that children face when immigration officials detain or deport their parents," Bennet said. "When we worked as the Gang of Eight to craft comprehensive immigration reform in 2013, this was the only amendment to pass unanimously--and that's because there is no question we should increase protections for children trapped in the middle of our broken immigration system. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this important legislation."

The Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections (HELP) for Separated Children Act would protect children affected by immigration enforcement actions or proceedings against their parents. Specifically, the bill allows parents to make calls to arrange for the care of their children and ensures that children can call and visit their parents while they are detained. It also allows parents to participate in family court proceedings, ensures parents can coordinate their departures with their children, protects children from serving as translators for their parents, and requires ICE to consider the best interests of children in detention, release, or transfer decisions affecting their parents.

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