Number: RS22554
Title: Child Custody Proceedings Under The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA): An Overview
Authors: M. Maureen Murphy and Yule Kim, Legislative Attorneys 
Abstract: In 1978, Congress enacted the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in response to legislative findings of harm caused to Indian children, their families, and tribes by the high separation rate of Indian children from their homes and cultural environments. Congress addressed this situation by granting Indian tribes and Indian parents an enhanced role in determining when to remove Indian children from their homes and cultural environments. Specifically, ICWA enumerates provisions for tribal jurisdiction and tribal intervention in state court proceedings concerning the custody, adoption, foster care placement, and termination of parental rights of Indian children. Although there were no proposals to amend ICWA in recent Congresses, the debate over provisions of ICWA remains an issue of concern. This report provides an overview of some of the goals and provisions of ICWA.
Pages: 6
Date: December 3, 2008