Rep.

Ben Abramson (D)

H.R.
114th Congress
Second Session
In the United States House of Representatives
Keep Immigrant Families Together Act
A Bill to increase the chances of keeping families of undocumented immigrants together
Whereas there are many families that are at risk of being separated by deportation;
Whereas separating children from their parents causes them to become orphans;
Whereas a rise in orphans/foster children will cost the taxpayer more money for welfare;
Whereas the children become at risk and might not be able to get a job, which would negatively
impact the economy;
Whereas a 2013 report by Human Impact Partners found that 75% of undocumented
immigrants children had symptoms of PTSD, which will worsen if parents are deported;
Whereas the remaining family members may be put in an unstable financial situation;
Whereas mistrust of law enforcement may occur within children with a separated family;
Therefore, be it enacted, That the House of Representatives place an emphasis on keeping
families of undocumented immigrants intact by(1)

Legalizing the immigration status of parents that have spent at least 5 years in the

country and have not been convicted of a crime;

(2)

Enacting judicial discretion when taking undocumented parents into custody, except in

cases of convicted felons;

(3)

Providing alternative punishment to detention centers to allow parents to comply with

child welfare services;

(4)

Suspending 287(g) agreements between the ICE and law enforcement;

(5)

Allowing parents to decide at time of arrest who the caretaker of the child should be;

(6)

Granting more funding to child welfare systems to increase the chance that a child will

be placed in the care of a parent or relative;

(7)

Creating an online database to increase chances of family reunification.