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S 1517 117th Congress Senate Immigration Border security and unlawful immigration Child safety and welfare Community life and organization Detention of persons Family relationships Government buildings, facilities, and property Government studies and investigations Immigrant health and welfare Immigration status and procedures Lawyers and legal services Public contracts and procurement Refugees, asylum, displaced persons

Freedom for Families Act

Introduced: April 29, 2021 Introduced by: Merkley, Jeff Democratic · Oregon See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) 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
Apr 29, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 29, 2021
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Freedom for Families Act

This bill prohibits using federal funds for facilities used to detain noncitizen families and addresses related issues.

Specifically, no funds made available may be used to operate or construct a family detention center, whether operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or a contractor. This prohibition shall also apply to funds made available before this bill's enactment.

Funds obligated to operate such centers must instead be used for implementing and developing nondetention programs that are community-based and consistent with international best practices.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may place an apprehended noncitizen family into such a nondetention program if DHS makes an individualized determination that doing so will facilitate the family's compliance with immigration laws. The programs must provide to participants a legal orientation and meaningful access to counsel.

What's happening now April 29, 2021

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 2925 Related bill Freedom for Families Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 4
D
Hirono, Mazie K.
Hawaii · May 11, 2021
 D
Booker, Cory A.
New Jersey · Apr 29, 2021
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Apr 29, 2021
 D
Wyden, Ron
Oregon · Apr 29, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1517: Freedom for Families Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-1517/
MLA
"S. 1517: Freedom for Families Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-1517/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1517, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-1517/.
Markdown link
[S. 1517: Freedom for Families Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-1517/)
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