HB22-1319 Passed by the House of Representatives!

Representative Gonzales-Gutierrez (left) and Representative Iman Jodeh (right)

On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, the Colorado House of Representatives passed House Bill 22-1319 (HB22-1319). RMIAN’s Children’s Program has played a crucial role in identifying the need for this legislation and working for its passage.

Currently, abused, abandoned, and neglected unaccompanied children in federal custody in Colorado have no access to state court proceedings. Without access to state court, these children have no ability to apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, a vital protection from deportation that creates pathways to permanent residency for abused and neglected youth under state court jurisdiction.

HB22-1319 will provide access to state court proceedings through a streamlined dependency process, providing abused and neglected children with a pathway towards safety and stability in the United States. 

 RMIAN expresses sincere gratitude to the bill’s sponsors, Representative Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Representative Iman Jodeh (both pictured above) and Senator Julie Gonzales, and to all those who worked on and supported HB22-1319. The bill is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, April 28, 2022.