Sen. Blumenthal announces bill aimed at protecting children impacted by ICE
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Tuesday announced new legislation in New Haven aimed at protecting children affected by immigration enforcement actions involving their parents.
Standing outside the U.S. District Court alongside advocates Tabitha Sookdeo of Connecticut Students for a Dream, and Sarah Eagan of the Center for Children’s Advocacy, Blumenthal introduced the Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections (HELP) for Separated Children Act. The proposal seeks to address concerns that children are increasingly being caught in immigration enforcement operations and left to navigate detention or family separation on their own.
“As Immigration and Customs Enforcement has ramped up across the nation, children are being caught in the crosshairs,” Blumenthal said in a press release provided to NBC Connecticut ahead of the event.
Supporters of the bill point to cases in Connecticut, including a 16-year-old named Kevin from Meriden who was caught up in an enforcement action and forced to navigate detention in Texas without contact with family members. It took the help of three law firms in Connecticut, one in Texas, and a senator to get the Maloney High School graduate back home.
The legislation would allow detained parents to arrange care for their children and maintain regular communication, including phone calls and visits. It also aims to ensure parents can participate in family court proceedings and coordinate their departure from the United States with their children.
In addition, the bill would prohibit federal personnel from using excessive force during enforcement actions when children are present and bar authorities from using children as translators. It would also require immigration officials to consider the best interests of children when making decisions about a parent’s detention, transfer or release.
The proposal includes the creation of a national coordinator within ICE to serve as a point of contact on child welfare and guardianship issues.
Blumenthal notes that he hopes for bipartisan support of this bill, while also sharply criticizing current enforcement practices.
“My colleagues know that these policies and practices are wrong. They’re morally revolting, but they lack the spine and backbone to stand up to the president,” he said. “And I hope this statute will shame them into following basic standards of human decency.”
Advocates who joined Blumenthal said the legislation is necessary to prevent children from being left alone during high-stress enforcement situations and to provide clearer protections for families.
Senator Blumenthal says the bill has been introduced in Congress and is currently in committee.
NBC Connecticut has also reached out to Connecticut Senate Republicans for comment on the bill. We have not heard back as of the time this article was published.
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