Affording Congress an Opportunity To Address Family Separation
Order Directs Detention of Migrant Families During Criminal Proceedings
What it does
Agencies must keep migrant families in custody during criminal or immigration proceedings, secure housing facilities, and seek court approval to allow family detention.
Real-world impact
- More migrant families held in government custody during criminal or immigration cases.
- Military and other agencies may provide or build facilities to house families.
- Attorney General will request court changes to allow longer family detention.
Topics
Summary
This order directs federal agencies to keep migrant families in custody while criminal improper entry or immigration cases are pending, and to detain parents and children together when appropriate and lawful. It notes exceptions if the child's welfare would be harmed.
The order requires the Department of Homeland Security to arrange and pay for housing, asks the Defense Department and other agencies to provide or build facilities, and directs the Attorney General to ask the court to allow family detention and prioritize family cases.
Questions, answered
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