KIDS Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9069
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-25T20:33:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to restrict the Department of Homeland Security from detaining certain vulnerable groups and from carrying out immigration enforcement near specific protected sites, unless a court issues a criminal warrant.
Key Provisions
- The bill defines key terms, including "child" (a person under 21 who meets certain family relationship criteria), "cognitive disability" (a condition that greatly limits activities like learning or thinking), "primary caregiver" (a parent or guardian mainly responsible for a child or disabled person), and "sensitive location" (a broad list of places such as schools, hospitals, places of worship, courthouses, polling sites, and areas within 1,000 feet of them).
- Detention limits: The Department generally cannot detain children, people with cognitive disabilities, or their primary caregivers. If an exception applies, the Department must notify a parent or guardian within 24 hours and report the action to Congress. There is a strong presumption against detaining primary caregivers unless clear evidence shows release is not practical.
- Release rules: If a child or disabled person is wrongly detained, the Department must quickly release them to a parent, designated caregiver, state child welfare agency, or federal child resettlement office, guided by the person's best interests.
- Enforcement limits: Immigration actions are generally barred at or within 1,000 feet of sensitive locations, including while people travel to or from those sites.
- Exceptions: Actions are allowed only with a criminal arrest or search warrant issued by a court.
- Remedies for violations: Evidence from improper actions cannot be used in removal proceedings (the process to decide if someone must leave the country). Affected individuals can ask to end proceedings, must be released from detention, and are placed in hearings where the Department must prove they should remain detained.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill introduces new nationwide restrictions on where and whom the Department of Homeland Security can target for detention or enforcement. It creates a presumption against holding primary caregivers and adds specific release procedures and evidence exclusions not currently required. It expands the list of protected locations far beyond prior agency guidelines.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The Department of Homeland Security would face new limits on operations, requiring warrants for many actions and additional reporting and release steps.
- On citizens and noncitizens: Families with children or disabled members could face fewer separations during enforcement. Sensitive sites like schools and medical facilities would see reduced enforcement activity.
- On international relations: No direct effects are outlined in the bill.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Department of Homeland Security and its enforcement officers.
- Noncitizen children, individuals with cognitive disabilities, and their primary caregivers.
- Operators and users of sensitive locations, including schools, hospitals, places of worship, courts, and social service providers.
- State and local child welfare agencies and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill creates new exclusionary rules for evidence obtained at sensitive locations, which could affect how removal proceedings are conducted. It requires court-issued criminal warrants for exceptions, shifting some authority from agency discretion to judicial oversight. All decisions must consider the best interests of children or disabled individuals.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-05-29: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Keeping Immigrants and Destinations Safe Act — issued 2026-05-29 — PDF (10 pages)