Keep Families Together Act

Bill: 115-hr-6135
Sponsor: Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-10]
Introduced: 2018-06-19 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Child care and development
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Homeland Security
Detention of persons
Domestic violence and child abuse
Family relationships
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Human trafficking
Immigration status and procedures
Law enforcement officers
Public contracts and procurement
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Separation, divorce, custody, support

Summary:
action_date: 2018-06-19
text: 

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.
 
 
 A child may not be removed from a parent or guardian unless an independent licensed child welfare expert authorizes the separation within 48 hours of such removal.
 
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 bill limits the prosecution of asylum seekers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2018-06-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
action_date: 2018-06-19
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2018-06-19
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2018-06-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2018-06-19
text: Introduced in House