Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has announced two new bills she says will reform America's immigration system. On Thursday, the New York Democrat introduced the Protection of Kids in Immigrant Detention (PROKID) Act and the Real Courts, Rule of Law Act alongside Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin.
Gillibrand says the PROKID Act would codify an office under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) responsible for ensuring that immigrant children are detained in the least restrictive setting, advocating for quick and safe release, and encouraging family reunification when possible. That office would also be responsible for investigating any claims of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of immigrant children while in either government custody or foster care. Meanwhile, the Real Courts, Rule of Law Act would decrease political influence in the immigration system by transitioning the immigration court system into an independent judiciary. In introducing this legislation, Gillibrand cited the Trump Administration's firing of more than 100 immigration judges since January 2025 for political reasons. She says that has "crippled court efficiency and compromised the public's trust in judicial neutrality."
