PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S802-803)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 31, 2019
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
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
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.
People & committees
Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S802-803)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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