H.R. 6183House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Family Reunification Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 10:37 PM UTC

The Family Reunification Act directs the Department of Homeland Security, together with the Attorney General and the Health and Human Services Secretary, to reunite unaccompanied alien children who were taken from their parents or legal guardians at a U.S. port of entry or near the border with those parents or guardians as quickly as possible. Reunification is not required if a state court has terminated parental rights, a child‑welfare expert determines the child is better off apart from the parent, or DHS finds the child is at risk of trafficking, the adult is not a legitimate guardian, or the child faces abuse or danger.

Key Provisions

DHS must use all necessary means to reunite each unaccompanied alien child removed from a parent or legal guardian at or near a U.S. border with that parent or guardian promptly.
Reunification is exempt if a state court terminates parental rights or decides removal is in the child’s best interest under state law.
Reunification is exempt if a state or county child‑welfare official with expertise in child trauma determines the child should remain separated for safety or best‑interest reasons.
DHS may keep the child separated if it finds the child is a trafficking victim or at high risk of trafficking, the adult is likely not the true parent or guardian, or the child is in danger of abuse, neglect, or poses a danger to themselves or others.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

August 2, 2018

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 21, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

June 21, 2018

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

August 2, 2018

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode

Raw Text PDF XML

Introduced in HouseIssued June 21, 2018

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6183

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 21, 2018

Mr. Huizenga introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to reunite unaccompanied alien children with the parents or legal guardians with whom they entered the United States, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Family Reunification Act.

Immigrant family reunification

The Secretary of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall use all necessary means to ensure that each unaccompanied alien child (as defined in section 462(g)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 279(g)(2))) who was removed from the care and custody of a parent or legal guardian by a Federal official or employee at or near a port of entry, or within 100 miles of a border of the United States, is reunited with the parent or legal guardian at the earliest possible date, unless one of the following has occurred:

(1)

A State court, authorized under State law, terminates the rights of a parent or legal guardian, determines that it is in the best interests of the child to be removed from his or her parent or legal guardian, in accordance with the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (Public Law 105–89), or makes any similar determination that is legally authorized under State law.

(2)

An official from a State or county child welfare agency with expertise in child trauma and development makes a best interests determination that it is in the best interests of the child to be removed from his or her parent or legal guardian because the child is in danger of abuse or neglect at the hands of the parent or legal guardian, or is a danger to herself or others.

(3)

The Secretary of Homeland Security requires continued separation based on a finding that—

(A)

the child is a victim of trafficking or is at significant risk of becoming a victim of trafficking;

(B)

there is a strong likelihood that the adult is not the parent or legal guardian of the child; or

(C)

the child is in danger of abuse or neglect at the hands of the parent or legal guardian, or is a danger to themselves or others.