Rep. Barry Moore supports Kayla Hamilton Act

Washington D.C. – Today, Congressman Barry Moore (AL-01) voted in support of the Kayla Hamilton Act. This bill aims to enhance federal efforts to combat the trafficking of children by amending the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008.

“This bill puts the safety of children first, plain and simple," said Congressman Moore. "Kayla Hamilton’s tragic story is a stark reminder of what happens when the government fails to do its most basic job - protect innocent children. The Kayla Hamilton Act closes dangerous loopholes revealed during the Biden Administration that allowed traffickers, gang members, and illegal aliens to exploit vulnerable children, and it requires background checks, gang screenings, and accountability before a child is placed with a sponsor. Protecting Americans is non-negotiable, and this bill ensures that stricter requirements are in place for both the unaccompanied minors and the sponsors they are placed with.”

The Kayla Hamilton Act will:

• Require thorough background and criminal history checks for individuals and households where unaccompanied alien children are placed.
• Screen children 12 years and older for gang involvement, including identification of gang-related tattoos and markings.
• Prohibit release of unaccompanied alien children on their own recognizance to ensure proper oversight.
• Ensure children deemed flight risks or dangerous are placed in secure facilities during immigration proceedings.
• Prevent placement of children with individuals who have convictions for sex offenses, trafficking, domestic violence, child abuse, murder, or other serious crimes.
• Improve coordination between the Departments of Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and Justice to better protect children from exploitation and trafficking.

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