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S. 3036 · 115th Congress

Keep Families Together Act

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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 115th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.

DFD FeinsteinSponsor
48 cosponsors · 46 D, 2 I

This bill prohibits an agent or contractor of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, or the Department of Health and Human Services from removing a child who is under the age of 18 and has no permanent immigration status from his or her parent or legal guardian at or near the port of entry or within 100 miles of the U.S.

What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in Senate · Jun 7, 2018

Keep Families Together Act

This bill prohibits an agent or contractor of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, or the Department of Health and Human Services from removing a child who is under the age of 18 and has no permanent immigration status from his or her parent or legal guardian at or near the port of entry or within 100 miles of the U.S. border unless:

  • an authorized state court determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed;
  • a state or county child welfare official with expertise in child trauma and development determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed because of abuse or neglect; or
  • the Chief Patrol Agent or the Area Port Director authorizes separation based on a documented finding that the child is a trafficking victim or is at significant risk of becoming a victim, a strong likelihood exists that the adult is not the parent or legal guardian, or the child is in danger of abuse or neglect.

An agency may not remove a child from a parent or legal guardian solely for the policy goals of deterring migration to the United States or of promoting immigration law compliance.

The bill sets forth presumptions: (1) in favor of family and sibling unity and parental rights, and (2) that detention is not in the best interests of families and children.

The Government Accountability Office shall conduct a study of the prosecution of asylum seekers.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: Keep Families Together Act

Latest action (Jun 7, 2018): Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Policy area: Immigration · Origin: Senate · Introduced: Jun 7, 2018

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

No recorded floor vote found.