Press Releases

WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Russell Fry’s (R-S.C.) H.R. 4371, which requires the Department of Health and Human Services, for children 12 years of age and older, to request the criminal records of unaccompanied alien children in their home country and determine if they have gang tattoos. Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) determined to have gang tattoos or a criminal history relating to gang activity or affiliation would not be released to a sponsor but instead placed in a secure facility.

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Rep. Fry released the following statements:

“Kayla Hamilton should still be with us today,” said Chairwoman McClain. “House Republicans are today closing a dangerous loophole that allowed a violent illegal alien to roam our streets and take her from us. Never again. This can happen never again.”

“Kayla Hamilton’s story is heartbreaking, and it revealed serious gaps in how the federal government handles the placement of unaccompanied minors,” said Rep. Fry. “This legislation is about learning from a preventable failure and ensuring basic safeguards are in place before individuals are released into American communities. Kayla should still be alive, and her death is a reminder of what’s at stake when the system fails. By passing the Kayla Hamilton Act, the House is taking an important step to strengthen oversight, protect families, and help prevent tragedies like this from happening again.”