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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 6135 (115th)

Keep Families Together Act

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

19 June 2018

Last action

30 July 2018 · Referred

Status

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

Sponsors

Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Gutierrez, Luis V. [D-IL-4], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-11], Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5], Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6], Rep. Crowley, Joseph [D-NY-14], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD-7], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. O'Rourke, Beto [D-TX-16], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY-3], Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Payne, Donald M., Jr. [D-NJ-10], Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-22], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch [D-MD-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Higgins, Brian [D-NY-26], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Cooper, Jim [D-TN-5], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

Subjects

Asylum, Immigration

Source updated

11 August 2025

Asylum · Immigration

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

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.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 19 June 2018

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 19 June 2018

    Introduced

    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.

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 19 June 2018

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 27 June 2018

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.

    Source: Committee

  5. 30 July 2018

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 19 June 2018

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 19 June 2018

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 19 June 2018

    Open at official source

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Sponsors

Showing 48 of 198 sponsors and actors.

Related records

Sources

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