PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 19, 2018
Protect Kids and Parents Act
This bill requires that a child of alien parents or legal guardians who are asylum applicants must be detained in the same facility. A "child" is defined as an individual who has not reached the age of 18, has no permanent immigration status, and was in the custody and presence of a parent or legal guardian when the parent or legal guardian was detained for illegally entering the United States.
The bill also:
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to increase the total number of immigration judges and Board of Immigration staff attorneys;
directs Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to increase the total number of DHS personnel who process asylum applications;
requires DOJ and DHS to establish procedures for expedited consideration and processing of asylum applications;
requires expedited removal of asylum applicants whose applications have been denied;
establishes a strong presumption in favor of family unity;
requires DHS to publish guidance for locating separated children; and
requires the Government Accountability Office to study, and report on, the prosecution of asylum seekers between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2018.
People & committees
Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] · R–TX
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.3091 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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