Bill would screen migrant children for gang ties before sponsor placement
Passed one chamberH.R. 4371Latest action
Sponsor: Russell Fry · Representative · SC
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Kayla Hamilton Act
119th Congress
Topics: Crime & justice
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The Kayla Hamilton bill requires gang-tattoo checks on unaccompanied children over 12 and bars placement with sponsors who lack legal status.
40-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
The bill changes how unaccompanied immigrant children are placed in shelters or with sponsors while their immigration cases are pending. It requires screening children over 12 for gang tattoos, embassy checks on criminal history, secure detention for those with gang ties or criminal records without later review, a ban on placing children with sponsors who are in the country illegally, and detailed data-sharing between HHS and DHS on sponsors and their households.
Who does it affect?
Unaccompanied immigrant children, HHS and DHS, and prospective sponsor families are directly affected.
Why does it matter?
The changes could speed some placements into secure facilities while limiting review, and could reduce the pool of eligible sponsors and raise privacy concerns for mixed-status households.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJul 14, 2025
- House committee
- House vote
- SenateYou are here · Dec 17, 2025
- The president's desk
Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Received in the Senate.
Recorded votes
Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.
House · · Roll call 340
As recorded
- Question
- On Passage
- Result:
- Passed
- 225
- Nay
- 201
- 0
- 7
Republicans 218 yes, 2 not voting · Democrats 7 yes, 201 no, 5 not voting
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record
House · · Roll call 339
As recorded
- Question
- On
- Result:
- Failed
- 208
- Nay
- 218
- 0
- 7
Republicans 218 no, 2 not voting · Democrats 208 yes, 5 not voting
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record