Protecting Unaccompanied Children Act

The Protecting Unaccompanied Children Act establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsperson within the Department of Health and Human Services to monitor facilities housing immigrant children, investigate claims of abuse or neglect, and advocate for children's best interests. The bill requires detailed monthly data collection on children in custody, including facility locations, length of stay, and demographics, to be made publicly available. It mandates legal representation for unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings, improves access to post-release services, and requires home studies before releasing children to sponsors. The bill directly affects unaccompanied immigrant children in federal custody, the Department of Health and Human Services, and facilities housing these children, while also establishing new standards for facility compliance and preventing family separation.