On April 6, 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice implemented a “zero tolerance” policy toward illegal border crossings to help reduce the number of undocumented individuals within the United States. As a result thousands of children were separated from their parents by the U.S. government. The separation of children from their parents is well documented to create feelings of loss and psychological trauma. In June 2018 Congresswoman Nanette Barragan (D-CA) and three other co-sponsors proposed the Mental Health Care for Children Inhumanely Separated from Parents by the Federal Government Act (H.R. 6180). The aim is to provide mental health services for children to help mitigate the negative consequences of forced separation.

The purpose of this project is to analyze H.R. 6180 using the framework created by Brandeis University Heller School of Social Policy and Management Professor David Gil. The framework will identify the social problem, policy objectives and values, and intended and unintended effects. Alternative policies aligned with the NASW Code of Ethics are also discussed.