Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB3239

Introduced

11/7/23

Refer

11/7/23

Caption

PRINTS Act Preventing the Recycling of Immigrants is Necessary for Trafficking Suspension Act

Impact

If enacted, SB3239 will amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to formalize the fingerprinting requirements for noncitizen minors. This could potentially alter existing practices regarding the handling of minors entering the U.S., ensuring that those suspected of being trafficking victims are subjected to systematic checks. Additionally, the bill imposes criminal penalties on noncitizen adults who use unrelated minors to gain entry into the country, allowing for fines and imprisonment to discourage the exploitation of children.

Summary

SB3239, titled the 'Preventing the Recycling of Immigrants is Necessary for Trafficking Suspension Act' or 'PRINTS Act', aims to combat child trafficking by instituting mandatory fingerprinting for noncitizen minors suspected of being victims of human trafficking. This legislation requires that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials obtain fingerprints from noncitizen minors under the age of 14 who are flagged as potential trafficking victims. The purpose is to enhance identification processes and establish a clearer mechanism for tracking instances of human trafficking at the borders of the United States.

Contention

The key points of contention surrounding SB3239 revolve around its implications for the treatment of vulnerable minors at the border. Proponents argue that mandatory fingerprinting is essential for improving the detection of trafficking networks and protecting children from exploitation. In contrast, opponents may raise concerns regarding privacy, the risks of wrongful identification, and the potential for increased bureaucratic hurdles for families with legitimate claims, particularly regarding how the bill may affect the reunification of unaccompanied minors with their families.

Latest SB3239 Activity

Companion Bills

US HB6522

Same As PRINTS Act Preventing the Recycling of Immigrants is Necessary for Trafficking Suspension Act

Previously Filed As

US HB6522

PRINTS Act Preventing the Recycling of Immigrants is Necessary for Trafficking Suspension Act

US SB53

Preventing the Recycling of Immigrants is Necessary for Trafficking Suspension Act or the PRINTS ActThis bill addresses migrant minor children entering the United States. Specifically, the bill makes it a crime for a person to knowingly use a minor to gain entry to the United States if the minor is not a close relative or if the person is not the minor’s guardian. In addition, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) must fingerprint all non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) entering the United States who are younger than 14 years of age if a CBP officer suspects that the child is victim of human trafficking.The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must share with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) any fingerprints collected under this bill from an unaccompanied child if that child is transferred to HHS custody.DHS must report to Congress on the number of children fingerprinted annually under this bill. DHS must also publish on a monthly basis the number of individuals apprehended for falsely claiming a child accompanying them into the United States was a close relative.  