U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has joined Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) in introducing the Kayla Hamilton Act, a bill aimed at strengthening background and criminal record checks for unaccompanied alien children (UACs) and their potential sponsors before placement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The legislation is named after Kayla Hamilton, who was sexually assaulted and killed by a 17-year-old MS-13 gang member and UAC who entered the United States illegally and was later released to a sponsor.
“Crimes that are committed by illegal aliens who shouldn’t be here in the first place are 100% preventable,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Kayla Hamilton’s story is yet another tragic example of the Biden administration prioritizing illegal aliens over the safety of American citizens. Our bill is a crucial step in the right direction to ensure crimes like this never happen again.”
The bill has additional support from Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
In the House of Representatives, Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) introduced similar legislation, which has passed out of the House Judiciary Committee and awaits a vote on the House floor.
If enacted, the Kayla Hamilton Act would require HHS to conduct thorough background checks on both UACs and all adults living in households where children may be placed. It would also prohibit releasing any UAC into custody of individuals with criminal histories or those residing with such individuals.
Senator Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and serves on several committees, including Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging.
