The record

LegislationLegislation· Dec 2025
HR 4371 Passed House — in Senate

Sponsored by Russell Fry (R)

Kayla Hamilton Act

Requires to place unaccompanied migrant children with vetted sponsors and in secure facilities when warranted.

Tradeoff

Tightens placement rules and background checks for unaccompanied migrant children in custody. Exempts agencies from paperwork and regulatory-process requirements to speed implementation.

What's in it

See official bill text

Requires $1.331 billion in spending over 2026–2031 for expanded criminal screening and secure care placement of unaccompanied alien children.

This $1.331 billion funds six years of expanded criminal background checks, secure detention facilities, and staff for the Office of Refugee Resettlement's processing and placement of unaccompanied minors.

H.R. 4371, Kayla Hamilton Act · May 2026

The House passed this 225-201 on December 16, 2025. A failed 208-218 the same day. The bill is now in the Senate.

  1. House

    Introduced

    (Jul 14, 2025)

  2. House

    Committee on the Judiciary(Jul 14, 2025)

  3. House

    The Committee on Judiciary voted to send it to the floor

    Reported 16 - 13(Sep 10, 2025)

    Committee report H. Rept. 119-345.

  4. House

    On

    Failed(Roll #339 · Dec 16, 2025)

    208 yeanay 218

  5. House

    Passage of the bill

    Passed(Roll #340 · Dec 16, 2025)

    225 yeanay 201

  6. Senate

    Received from the House

    Received(Dec 17, 2025)

Passage votes so far· Dec 16, 2025· 119th Congress · 2025–2027