This bill sets federal rules for how the government detains families who cross the border with children. It says there is no default rule against detaining a child who arrives with a parent or guardian, and that these cases must follow specific immigration laws rather than other court rulings or settlements. It also requires the Department of Homeland Security to keep a parent and child together in custody when the parent is charged only with the misdemeanor of unlawful entry.

Key points

• Who is affected: Non‑U.S. citizen families with children, the Department of Homeland Security, and states where family detention centers are located.
• What changes: No presumption against detaining children who are with a parent; DHS must detain the parent and child together if the only charge is a minor unlawful entry; states cannot require their own licenses for federal detention facilities that hold these children or families.
• When: Takes effect as soon as it becomes law and applies to actions in the past, present, and future.