Official Summary

7/21/2011--Introduced.Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections for Separated Children Act or the HELP Separated Children Act - Sets forth apprehension procedures for immigration enforcement-related activities engaged in by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and cooperating entities,

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Official Summary

7/21/2011--Introduced.Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections for Separated Children Act or the HELP Separated Children Act - Sets forth apprehension procedures for immigration enforcement-related activities engaged in by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and cooperating entities, including:
(1) providing the governor, local child welfare agencies, and local law enforcement with advance notice of an enforcement activity, if possible;
(2) providing child welfare agencies and community organizations access to detained individuals to help DHS identify detainees who have children;
(3) permitting detainees with children to make free phone calls to arrange for such children's care; and
(4) requiring that the interests of children be considered in decisions regarding detainee release, detention, or transfer. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to:
(1) require DHS detention facilities to implement procedures to ensure that child custody and family interests can be considered in any immigration detention action,
(2) develop memoranda of understanding with child welfare agencies and community organizations that protect the best interests of children of detained individuals, and
(3) provide DHS personnel with appropriate training.

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