Explicitely forbids separating children from parents

This bill prohibits government agents from removing a child who is under the age of 18 from his or her parent or legal guardian at or near the port of entry or within 100 miles of the U.S. border.

Exceptions are if it is deemed to be in the child's best interest or the child, such as in the case of abuse or child trafficking.

It explicitly says 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.

Other provisions of the bill

The bill also directs the the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study of the prosecution of asylum seekers.

Disposition

This bill expired when the 115th Congress ended in Jan. 2019.