H.R. 6135: Keep Families Together Act

115th Congress · introduced 2018-06-19 · Immigration · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2018-06-19 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-10] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Keep Families Together Act

Plain summary

Keep Families Together Act This bill prohibits an agent or contractor of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, or the Department of Health and Human Services from removing a child who is under the age of 18 and has no permanent immigration status from his or her parent or legal guardian at or near the port of entry or within 100 miles of the U.S. border unless: an authorized state court determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed; a state or county child welfare official with expertise in child trauma and development determines that it is in the child's best interests to be removed because of abuse or neglect; or the Chief Patrol Agent or the Area Port Director authorizes separation based on a documented finding that the child is a trafficking victim or is at significant risk of becoming a victim, a strong likelihood exists that the adult is not the parent or legal guardian, or the child is in danger of abuse or neglect. A child may not be removed from a parent or guardian unless an independent licensed child welfare expert authorizes the separation within 48 hours of such removal. An agency may not remove a child from a parent or legal guardian solely for the policy goals of deterring migration to the United States or of promoting immigration law compliance. The bill sets forth presumptions: (1) in favor of family and sibling unity and parental rights, and (2) that detention is not in the best interests of families and children. The bill limits the prosecution of asylum seekers.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Keep Families Together Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-10] · 195 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), James E. Clyburn (D-SC), Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Adam Smith (D-WA), J. Luis Correa (D-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Frederica S. Wilson (D-FL), Grace Meng (D-NY), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Bradley Scott Schneider (D-IL), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Peter Welch (D-VT), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA) and 135 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-10] reported raising $258,402 (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Authorization: A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-115hr6135.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/115/hr>

Record fed-us-cong115-hr6135 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115