U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) on Oct. 23 joined eight other Republicans to cosponsor legislation that would enhance efforts to combat the trafficking of children.
“This legislation ensures future Democrat administrations cannot neglect needed background checks and release dangerous criminals into the country,” said Sen. Cassidy, chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, which is considering the Kayla Hamilton Act, S. 3054, sponsored by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).
If enacted, S. 3054 would amend the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 and the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to conduct background and criminal record checks on unaccompanied children (UC) and potential sponsors prior to their placement.
The bill is named in honor of Kayla Hamilton, a woman who was sexually assaulted and murdered by a 17-year-old MS-13 gang member and UC who illegally entered the country and was released to a sponsor during the Biden administration, according to a bill summary provided by the senators.
“The Kayla Hamilton Act would protect the safety of unaccompanied alien children by requiring criminal background checks to ensure these children are not placed with dangerous individuals,” Sen. Blackburn said.
S. 3054 is companion legislation to the same-named H.R. 4371, which three Republicans introduced on July 14 and which awaits action by the full U.S. House of Representatives.