Keep Families Together Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (7 Jun 2018): Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
What this bill does
The Keep Families Together Act, introduced in the Senate in June 2018, aims to limit the separation of children from their parents or legal guardians at or near U.S. ports of entry or within 100 miles of the border. Under the bill, agents and officers would be prohibited from separating families unless a state court terminates parental rights, a child welfare official determines separation is in the child's best interest due to danger of abuse or neglect, or a Chief Patrol Agent or Area Port Director authorizes it based on specific findings like trafficking risk or uncertainty about parentage. Separation would not be permitted solely to deter migration or encourage compliance with civil immigration laws.
The bill would affect families encountering immigration enforcement at or near the border. It also mandates training for agents and officers on child welfare, child development, and trauma. Additionally, it would require agencies to develop policies for locating separated children, provide written notification to parents, and offer monthly status reports on the child. The bill also includes provisions for annual reporting on family separations and a Government Accountability Office study on the prosecution of asylum seekers.
As a bill introduced in the 115th Congress, S. 3036 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The official summary indicates it was introduced in a previous session and did not receive a vote. Its current status is "Introduced." For any bill to become law, it must be passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and then signed by the President.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official 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.
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.
Timeline
7 Jun 2018
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Common questions
- What does S. 3036 do?
- The Keep Families Together Act, introduced in the Senate in June 2018, aims to limit the separation of children from their parents or legal guardians at or near U.S. ports of entry or within 100 miles of the border. Under the bill, agents and officers would be prohibited from separating families unless a state court terminates parental rights, a child welfare official determines separation is in the child's best interest due to danger of abuse or neglect, or a Chief Patrol Agent or Area Port Director authorizes it based on specific findings like trafficking risk or uncertainty about parentage. Separation would not be permitted solely to deter migration or encourage compliance with civil immigration laws. The bill would affect families encountering immigration enforcement at or near the border. It also mandates training for agents and officers on child welfare, child development, and trauma. Additionally, it would require agencies to develop policies for locating separated children, provide written notification to parents, and offer monthly status reports on the child. The bill also includes provisions for annual reporting on family separations and a Government Accountability Office study on the prosecution of asylum seekers. As a bill introduced in the 115th Congress, S. 3036 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The official summary indicates it was introduced in a previous session and did not receive a vote. Its current status is "Introduced." For any bill to become law, it must be passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and then signed by the President.
- Has S. 3036 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 3036. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 3036?
- S. 3036 was sponsored by Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] (D-CA), with 48 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 3036?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (7 Jun 2018).
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