PRIA Logo™
119-s-53119th Congress

PRINTS Act

Sponsored By: Senator Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

Introduced

Summary

Stops unrelated adults from using migrant children to gain U.S. entry. The PRINTS Act would make that conduct a federal crime and add biometric checks and public reporting aimed at reducing child trafficking.

Show full summary
  • Families and children: Children younger than 14 who are suspected trafficking victims would be fingerprinted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection when officers have suspicion. Those fingerprints can be shared with the Department of Health and Human Services if the child is transferred to HHS custody.
  • Adults seeking entry: Any person 18 or older who knowingly uses a minor who is not a close relative or guardian to gain entry would face fines or up to 10 years in prison.
  • Agencies and transparency: The Department of Homeland Security would report annually on the number of minors fingerprinted and publish monthly counts of apprehensions where adults falsely claimed a close familial relationship.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Stricter rules to stop child trafficking

This bill would require CBP to take fingerprints of noncitizen children under 14 when an officer suspects human trafficking. DHS would have to share those fingerprints, on request, with HHS for unaccompanied children moved to HHS custody. The bill would require DHS to report annually to Congress the number of minors fingerprinted. CBP would post monthly online counts of arrests where adults falsely claimed a child was a close relative. The bill would also make it a federal crime for anyone 18 or older who knowingly uses a non-relative minor to get into the U.S. That crime could bring a fine, up to 10 years in prison, or both. The bill defines 'relative' as related within the second degree under common law.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

TN • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]

    LA • R

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND]

    ND • R

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]

    SD • R

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 1/9/2025

  • Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/13/2025

  • Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 1/22/2025

  • Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation