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H.R. 6181 115th Congress House

Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act

Official title: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to address the protective custody of alien children accompanied by parents, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 21, 2018 Introduced by: Eric A. "Rick" Crawford Republican · Arkansas See on congress.gov
Immigration Border security and unlawful immigrationChild safety and welfareCivil actions and liabilityCongressional oversight
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Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDepartment of JusticeDetention of personsFamily relationshipsGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyImmigration status and proceduresIntergovernmental relationsJudgesSpecialized courtsState and local government operations
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 2, 2018
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
Jun 21, 2018
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jun 21, 2018
Introduced in House
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 Latest action August 2, 2018

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to extend protective custody over alien children under age 18 who are accompanied by a parent and were apprehended at the border or are seeking admission to the United States at a port of entry. DHS must temporarily house an alien child in a DHS family residential center during the pendency of civil or criminal proceedings.

DHS must (1) increase the number of available beds in family residential centers; and (2) secure the written permission of the governor of a state and the congressional delegation representing the state and the district in which any new immigration detention site, including any proposed new family residential center site, is proposed to be located prior to the construction or operation of such site.

The Department of Justice must increase the number of immigration judge teams to conduct prioritized proceedings for accompanied alien children and families apprehended at the southwest border or who are seeking admission to the United States at a port of entry.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • S 3093 Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act
  • HR 6190 Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act
  • S 3478 FAMILIES Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 6181: Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-6181/
MLA
"H.R. 6181: Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-6181/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 6181, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-6181/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 6181: Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-6181/)
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