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Keep Families Together Act

Introduced: January 31, 2019 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 31, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S802-803)
Jan 31, 2019
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Keep Families Together Act

This bill limits the separation of families at or near U.S. borders or ports of entry.

The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS), Justice, and Health and Human Services shall not separate a child from a parent or legal guardian at a port of entry or within 100 miles of a U.S. border unless

  • a state court terminates the parent or legal guardian's rights;
  • a state child welfare agency or court determines it is in the child's best interests to be removed; or
  • the child is determined to be a trafficking victim or at risk of becoming one, the accompanying adult is most likely not the parent or legal guardian, or the child is in danger of abuse or neglect.

An agency may not separate a child from a parent or legal guardian solely to deter migration into the United States or to promote compliance with immigration laws.

DHS shall develop (1) training related to the bill's family separation requirements, and (2) guidance for how parents and legal guardians may locate a separated child. DHS shall provide parents and legal guardians periodic status updates about a separated child.

The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress on the criminal prosecution of asylum seekers.

What's happening now January 31, 2019

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S802-803)

 Related & companion bills 5
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 292: Keep Families Together Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-292/
MLA
"S. 292: Keep Families Together Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-292/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 292, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-292/.
Markdown link
[S. 292: Keep Families Together Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-292/)
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