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H.R. 6326House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Reunite Separated Families Act of 2018

Sponsored by Michael E. CapuanoRep. Michael E. Capuano (D-MA)
Introduced July 10, 2018

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 10:53 PM UTC

The Reunite Separated Families Act of 2018 temporarily blocks the deportation of certain non‑citizen parents who entered the United States with a child under 18 and have been separated from that child. It requires the Department of Homeland Security, working with Health and Human Services and the Justice Department, to reunite these families, provide communication and psychosocial support, and limit any continued detention after reunification. The bill also mandates a report to Congress on the effort’s progress and conditions.

Key Provisions

  • Stops removal of "covered aliens"—non‑citizen parents who entered after April 6, 2018 with a child under 18, were separated, and face only misdemeanor immigration charges—until a law prevents such separations.
  • Orders DHS, HHS, and the Attorney General to reunite each covered alien with their child within 30 days, expediting any required background checks.
  • Requires that separated parents and children be able to communicate while detained and that HHS address the children’s psychosocial needs, consulting pediatric experts.
  • Limits detention of reunited families to a maximum of 20 days, after which both parent and child must be released, with possible conditions to ensure court appearances.
  • Mandates a report to Congress within 60 days detailing reunification progress, detention conditions, and actions taken to meet the communication and psychosocial provisions.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

August 6, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 10, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

July 10, 2018

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

August 6, 2018

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 10, 2018

I

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6326

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 10, 2018

Mr. Capuano (for himself, Mr. Correa, Ms. Tsongas, Mr. Keating, Ms. Clark of Massachusetts, Mr. McGovern, and Ms. Meng) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To temporarily restrict the removal of alien parents separated from their children, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Reunite Separated Families Act of 2018.

2.

Restriction on deporting separated alien parents

(a)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law or judicial order, no covered alien may be removed from the United States during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, and ending on the date on which a Federal law is enacted preventing the separation of aliens entering the United States with a child who has not attained 18 years of age from such child.

(b)

Covered alien

The term covered alien means an alien who—

(1)

entered the United States on or after April 6, 2018 with the alien’s child who had not attained 18 years of age;

(2)

was separated from such child; and

(3)

was charged only with a misdemeanor offense under section 275(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1325(a)).

3.

Reuniting families

(a)

In general

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General, shall reunite each covered alien with the covered alien’s child, if both the alien and child are physically present in the United States.

(b)

Expedited background checks

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Attorney General, shall expedite any background check on a covered alien that is otherwise required to reunite the covered alien with the covered alien’s child.

4.

Addressing the needs of children and families

(a)

Communication

The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General, shall ensure that covered aliens and their children from whom they have been separated, are able to communicate while detained in the United States.

(b)

Psycho-Social needs of children

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the American Academy of Pediatrics and other appropriate groups, shall take measures to address the psycho-social needs of children separated from their covered alien parent.

5.

Report to Congress

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General, shall submit to Congress a report on—

(1)

the progress made in carrying out the requirement under section 3, including the actions taken to carry out such requirement;

(2)

the conditions of the detention facilities at which covered aliens and their children are housed; and

(3)

the actions taken to carry out the requirements under section 4.

6.

Detention of alien families

A covered alien who is reunited with the alien’s child pursuant to section 3, who remains in detention after being so reunited, shall be detained with the alien’s child for a period not exceeding 20 days. At the conclusion of the 20-day period, the covered alien and the alien’s child shall be released. Such release may include conditions to ensure the appearance of the covered alien at any subsequent required immigration reporting and court proceedings, at which the alien shall be provided access to counsel.