Congressman Russell Fry from South Carolina has introduced the Kayla Hamilton Act, aimed at addressing issues related to the handling of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) by the federal government. This legislation seeks to close existing loopholes and prevent incidents similar to the murder of Kayla Hamilton, an autistic woman from Maryland. The bill is co-sponsored by Congressmen Troy Nehls of Texas and Barry Moore of Alabama.
The act was named after Kayla Hamilton, who was killed by Walter Javier Martinez, a UAC released without completed background checks. Martinez had a criminal past and gang affiliations that were unknown at the time of his release. He later confessed to multiple crimes including murders and rapes.
To prevent such occurrences, the Kayla Hamilton Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to assess whether a UAC poses any danger before placement decisions are made. It also introduces several reforms:
– HHS must contact a UAC’s home country consulate or embassy for criminal history checks.
– Gang tattoos must be screened during medical assessments.
– UACs with gang ties or tattoos should be placed in secure facilities.
– Sponsors in the U.S. illegally cannot host UACs.
– Background information on sponsors must be shared with Homeland Security.
– Discretionary authority allowing HHS to overlook risk factors like gang activity is removed.
Congressman Fry stated that “The tragic murder of Kayla Hamilton was preventable,” emphasizing that public safety should take precedence over current policies. Tammy Nobles, mother of Kayla Hamilton, supports the act stating it could have prevented her daughter’s death if proper checks were done.
Congressman Nehls criticized current administration policies as leading to child trafficking risks due to inadequate vetting processes. Congressman Moore expressed that the act addresses dangerous policies under current leadership.
Russell Fry serves on both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and House Judiciary Committee. Updates on his work can be followed through social media platforms and his official website.
