Passed in the House on December 16, 2025 · 225 Yea, 201 Nay, 7 Not Voting
Question: On Passage: H R 4371 Kayla Hamilton Act
In plain English: This bill changes how the government places unaccompanied children who have no parents or guardians in the U.S. It requires more information to be considered about the child's risks and the adults in a potential sponsor's home, and prohibits placement with sponsors who are not legally in the country.
Kayla Hamilton Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consider additional information when it makes placement determinations for unaccompanied alien children in its custody. Under federal law, an unaccompanied alien child is a minor with no lawful immigration status and no parent or legal guardian in the United States to provide care and physical custody. Current law requires HHS to (1) place a child in the least restrictive setting that is in the child's b…