Upholding Protections for Unaccompanied Children Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/s/3322
Last Updated: February 26, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

ID: C001113

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

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Latest Action

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January 7, 2026

Introduced

📍 Current Status

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Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed Senate

🏛️

House Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

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1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce and expose the underlying disease.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Upholding Protections for Unaccompanied Children Act of 2025 is a bill that claims to protect unaccompanied alien children (UACs) from exploitation and harm. But, as with most congressional bills, the real purpose is to grandstand on an emotionally charged issue while lining the pockets of special interest groups.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill repeals or amends various provisions of Public Law 119-21, which previously imposed fees on UACs for asylum applications, employment authorization documents, and other immigration-related services. The new bill waives these fees for UACs, because, you know, they're just innocent children (cue the violins). It also limits body examinations conducted by the Office of Refugee Resettlement and the Department of Homeland Security, because who needs medical screenings when we can just assume everyone is healthy?

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved in this bill:

* Unaccompanied alien children (UACs): The supposed beneficiaries of this bill. But let's be real, they're just pawns in a larger game. * Immigration lawyers and advocacy groups: They'll get more business and funding to "help" these poor UACs navigate the system. * Congressional sponsors: They'll get to tout their "compassion" and "commitment to protecting vulnerable populations" while ignoring the real issues driving immigration. * Lobbyists: They'll continue to line their pockets with cash from special interest groups who want to exploit this issue for their own gain.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. It doesn't address the root causes of the UAC crisis, such as poverty, violence, and lack of opportunities in their home countries. Instead, it creates more loopholes for exploitation and abuse. By waiving fees and limiting medical screenings, we're essentially inviting more people to take advantage of our already overwhelmed immigration system.

The real disease here is the corruption and cowardice that plagues our government. Politicians are too afraid to tackle the tough issues, so they create feel-good legislation that accomplishes nothing but padding their résumés. Meanwhile, the American public is left with a false sense of security, thinking that Congress is actually doing something meaningful.

In conclusion, this bill is a prime example of legislative malpractice. It's a cynical attempt to manipulate public opinion while ignoring the underlying problems. I'd give it a diagnosis of "Acute Congressional Cowardice Syndrome" (ACCS), with symptoms including:

* Grandstanding on emotionally charged issues * Ignoring root causes of complex problems * Creating loopholes for exploitation and abuse * Padding résumés with meaningless legislation

Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism, critical thinking

Related Topics

Transportation & Infrastructure Federal Budget & Appropriations Small Business & Entrepreneurship Government Operations & Accountability National Security & Intelligence State & Local Government Affairs Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Congressional Rules & Procedures Civil Rights & Liberties
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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$97,654
24 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$11,850
Committees
$0
Individuals
$85,804

No PAC contributions found

1
LAS VEGAS PAIUTE TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,300
2
MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
1 transaction
$2,500
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
2 transactions
$2,000
4
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
1 transaction
$1,500
5
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
1 transaction
$1,000
6
MOHEGAN TRIBE OF INDIANS OF CONNECTICUT
1 transaction
$1,000
7
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
1 transaction
$550

No committee contributions found

1
LONGTIN, LUANN
1 transaction
$17,325
2
ROOPE, CALEB
2 transactions
$6,600
3
PORTER, KRISTINE L.
2 transactions
$6,600
4
PORTER, JON CHRISTOPHER JR
2 transactions
$6,600
5
SLIFKA, ROSALYN
1 transaction
$5,800
6
NAGY, AURANGZEB N.
1 transaction
$4,800
7
LONGTIN, DAVID
1 transaction
$4,700
8
DE BURLO, C. RUSSELL
1 transaction
$3,500
9
SIMON, DEBORAH
1 transaction
$3,375
10
COOKE, JOHN
1 transaction
$3,356
11
SEYEDIN, NADER
1 transaction
$3,348
12
SWEEN, PAUL
1 transaction
$3,300
13
CARUSO, RICK J.
1 transaction
$3,300
14
EMERSON, WILLIAM
1 transaction
$3,300
15
MOLASKY, CHRISTY
1 transaction
$3,300
16
KATZ, MICHAEL
1 transaction
$3,300
17
LEVIN, DEBORAH
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

ID: B001277

Top Contributors

10

1
OLSON, LYNDON
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual WACO, TX
$3,300
Dec 20, 2024
2
ALIX, JAY
ALIX PARTNERS FOUNDER
Individual BIRMINGHAM, MI
$3,300
Oct 2, 2023
3
KIM, CHRISTINE M.
BBB LLC ATTORNEY
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Oct 31, 2023
4
ALIX, JAY
ALIX PARTNERS FOUNDER
Individual BIRMINGHAM, MI
$3,300
Apr 15, 2024
5
ROURE, RITA
PAGNY - LINCOLN HOSPITAL PHYSICIAN
Individual GREENWICH, CT
$3,300
Apr 10, 2024
6
ROURE, RITA
PAGNY - LINCOLN HOSPITAL PHYSICIAN
Individual GREENWICH, CT
$3,300
Apr 10, 2024
7
CHAVEZ, TOM
KRUX INC. CEO
Individual SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Jul 13, 2024
8
CHAVEZ, TOM
KRUX INC. CEO
Individual SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Jul 13, 2024
9
JONES, JERRY C.
LIVERAMP INC. EXECUTIVE
Individual LITTLE ROCK, AR
$3,300
Sep 19, 2024
10
NESSEL, ARIEL
NESSEL DEVELOPMENT OWNER
Individual ROSS, CA
$3,300
Jul 12, 2024

Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

ID: W000779

Top Contributors

10

1
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$2,000
Dec 12, 2024
2
MOHEGAN TRIBE OF INDIANS OF CONNECTICUT
Organization UNCASVILLE, CT
$1,000
Dec 28, 2023
3
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$1,000
Dec 30, 2023
4
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSIONS INDIANS
Organization LOS ANGELES, CA
$1,000
Mar 26, 2024
5
SHAKOPEE MDWEKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 12, 2024
6
SHAKOPEE MDWEKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
May 31, 2023
7
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
Organization CHOCTAW, MS
$1,000
Dec 31, 2023
8
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
Organization DURANT, OK
$550
Oct 3, 2023
9
RENO-SPARKS INDIAN COLONY
Organization RENO, NV
$500
Jul 18, 2023
10
RENO-SPARKS INDIAN COLONY
Organization RENO, NV
$500
Sep 10, 2024

Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

ID: R000608

Top Contributors

10

1
WINRED
PAC ARLINGTON, VA
$3,343
Oct 24, 2023
2
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
Organization TACOMA, WA
$3,700
Jul 31, 2024
3
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
Organization HOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
4
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
5
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 28, 2023
6
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 10, 2023
7
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 10, 2023
8
SYUCAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
Organization EL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Mar 31, 2023
9
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Mar 28, 2024
10
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
Organization HOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024

Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

ID: M001176

Top Contributors

10

1
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
Organization MARICOPA, AZ
$2,500
Oct 17, 2024
2
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,500
Dec 30, 2023
3
SISSETON-WAHPETON OYATE
Organization AGENCY VILLAGE, SD
$2,000
Jun 21, 2024
4
CONFEDERATED TRIBES AND BANDS OF THE YAKAMA NATION
Organization TOPPENISH, WA
$1,000
Oct 7, 2024
5
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
Organization DURANT, OK
$1,000
Nov 9, 2023
6
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
May 2, 2024
7
MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
Organization CHOCTAW, MS
$1,000
Aug 2, 2024
8
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$400
Jul 17, 2023
9
STUBBS, MARILYN L.
NOT EMPLOYED RETIRED
Individual PORTLAND, OR
$5,000
Jul 17, 2023
10
BARNHART, PHILIP N.
NOT EMPLOYED RETIRED
Individual EUGENE, OR
$5,000
Jun 21, 2024

Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

ID: L000570

Top Contributors

0

No contribution data available

Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

ID: K000383

Top Contributors

10

1
REPUBLICAN WOMEN OF ST. MARY'S COUNTY
Organization ST. MARY'S CITY, MD
$750
Sep 25, 2024
2
2120 SEA ISLAND LLC
Organization RIVER FOREST, IL
$3,300
Oct 26, 2023
3
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
May 22, 2024
4
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$2,000
Mar 29, 2024
5
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$1,300
May 22, 2024
6
BROTT, DALE
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual UNIONTOWN, OH
$3,300
Jan 27, 2024
7
BROTT, WENDY
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual UNIONTOWN, OH
$3,300
Jan 27, 2024
8
LEWIS, TOPPER
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual JUPITER, FL
$3,300
Oct 3, 2024
9
KEITH, DEMATTEIS
ACCOUNTANT SELF-EMPLOYED
Individual MANHASSET, NY
$2,113
Jun 10, 2024
10
DALE, BROTT
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual UNIONTOWN, OH
$2,000
Sep 25, 2024

Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

ID: H000273

Top Contributors

10

1
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$1,300
Dec 12, 2023
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$1,200
Dec 12, 2023
3
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$900
Dec 31, 2023
4
ALLHASSANI, MEHDI
PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES OPERATIONS
Individual PALO ALTO, CA
$3,300
Nov 25, 2023
5
SANKAR, SHYAM
PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES DIRECTOR
Individual GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO
$3,300
Nov 25, 2023
6
CARSON, RUSSELL
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Nov 17, 2023
7
SANKAR, SHYAM
PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES DIRECTOR
Individual GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO
$3,300
Nov 25, 2023
8
CARSON, RUSSELL
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Nov 17, 2023
9
GATES, WILLIAM H. III
BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION PHILANTHROPIST
Individual REDMOND, WA
$3,300
Oct 19, 2023
10
JAIN, AKASH
PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES EXECUTIVE
Individual OAKLAND, CA
$3,300
Nov 26, 2023

Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

ID: K000394

Top Contributors

10

1
CHICKASAW NATION
PAC ADA, OK
$1,000
Sep 23, 2024
2
COSTCO
Organization SCOTTSDALE, AZ
$220
Aug 30, 2024
3
META
Organization MENLO PARK, CA
$1,200
Oct 30, 2024
4
MITCHELL PUBLISHING
Organization LOS ANGELES, CA
$689
Oct 30, 2024
5
GOOGLE
Organization MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
$500
Oct 30, 2024
6
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
7
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
Organization UPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
Jul 28, 2023
8
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization RED ROCK, OK
$3,300
Jul 28, 2023
9
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA OF NORTH DAKOTA
Organization BELCOURT, ND
$3,300
Jul 28, 2023
10
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
Organization PALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024

Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

ID: W000800

Top Contributors

10

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 8, 2023
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
May 3, 2024
3
FIELD, MARSHALL
THE OLD MOUNTAIN COMPANY, INC. EXECUTIVE
Individual CHICAGO, IL
$3,300
May 18, 2023
4
RECHNITZ, JOAN
Individual RED BANK, NJ
$3,300
Apr 22, 2024
5
RECHNITZ, JOAN
Individual RED BANK, NJ
$3,300
Apr 22, 2024
6
GORDON, PATRICIA
SELF MD
Individual LOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
May 22, 2024
7
STILLER, ROBERT
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual PALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Sep 22, 2024
8
STILLER, ROBERT
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual PALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Sep 22, 2024
9
KALKUT, CRAIG
WEST FRONT STRATEGIES GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$2,500
May 3, 2023
10
SCHWARTZ, MARTIN
MINILEC SERVICE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
Individual CARMEL, CA
$2,000
May 18, 2023

Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

ID: H001042

Top Contributors

10

1
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
Organization MARKSVILLE, LA
$3,300
Jun 15, 2023
2
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,500
Dec 30, 2023
3
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$2,500
Nov 1, 2023
4
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
Organization CHOCTAW, MS
$2,000
Jul 7, 2023
5
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
Organization MARKSVILLE, LA
$1,700
Jun 15, 2023
6
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$1,000
May 23, 2024
7
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$800
Nov 1, 2023
8
TONIO BURGOS & ASSOCIATES OF NEW JERSEY, LLC
Organization NEW YORK, NY
$500
May 18, 2023
9
CHUAN, JOHANNA
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual HONOLULU, HI
$3,400
Jun 9, 2024
10
MINATOISHI, LORRAINE REIKO
AEPAC PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER
Individual HONOLULU, HI
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 40 nodes and 40 connections

Total contributions: $128,897

Top Donors - Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

Showing top 24 donors by contribution amount

7 Orgs17 Individuals