The 235B proceedings would require that the UAC be brought before an immigration judge within seven days, at which point the judge would have 72 hours after the hearing to issue a ruling. If the UAC did not show up to the hearing, the federal government would only be allowed to deport the child, as a legal matter, in absentia if the government proved by a preponderance of evidence that the alien was at fault for his or her absence.

Additionally, NumbersUSA alleges that any of the illegal immigrant children who were previously issued a Notice to Appear for a removal proceeding between January 1, 2014, and the date of the bill’s enactment would be granted a second chance at admission to the U.S. via a 235B proceeding. This second chance would be granted regardless of whether the UAC has been deported, ordered removed, or is no longer a minor.