House Passes Congressman Russell Fry’s Kayla Hamilton Act to Prevent Violent Crimes by Unaccompanied Alien Children

This press release from Representative Russell Fry (R-SC) was published on 2025-12-16 and titled "House Passes Congressman Russell Fry’s Kayla Hamilton Act to Prevent Violent Crimes by Unaccompanied Alien Children". It focuses on immigration and touches on taxes, the environment.

House Passes Congressman Russell Fry’s Kayla Hamilton Act to Prevent Violent Crimes by Unaccompanied Alien Children

House Passes Congressman Russell Fry’s Kayla Hamilton Act to Prevent Violent Crimes by Unaccompanied Alien Children Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Kayla Hamilton Act, critical legislation introduced by Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) aimed at closing dangerous gaps in the federal government’s handling of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) and preventing tragedies like the murder of Kayla Hamilton, a 20-year-old autistic woman from Maryland. Original cosponsors of the legislation include Congressmen Troy Nehls (TX-22) and Barry Moore (AL-01). Kayla Hamilton was brutally murdered by Walter Javier Martinez, a UAC who had been released to a sponsor by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) before background checks were completed. Martinez, who had a criminal history and gang affiliation with MS-13, later admitted to multiple murders, rapes, and other violent crimes. The Kayla Hamilton Act implements a series of reforms to strengthen oversight of UACs, including: Requiring HHS to consider whether a UAC poses a danger to themselves or the community when determining placement. Mandating HHS contact the consulate or embassy of a UAC’s home country for criminal history or gang affiliation for minors aged 12 and older. Screening for gang tattoos during standard medical assessments and requiring UACs with such indicators to be housed in secure HHS facilities. Prohibiting placement of UACs with sponsors who are in the United States illegally. Requiring HHS to collect and share background information on all potential sponsors and adult household members, including immigration status and FBI fingerprint check results, with the Department of Homeland Security. Removing discretionary authority that allowed HHS to ignore risk factors, such as gang activity or criminal history, during placement decisions. “Kayla’s story is heartbreaking, and it exposed a catastrophic failure in our federal system,” said Congressman Fry . “This bill is not about politics—it is about learning from a preventable tragedy and making sure the federal government never again releases a known gang-affiliated individual into an American community without basic safeguards. Kayla Hamilton should still be alive, and no child should ever be placed in harm’s way or subjected to exploitation because the government failed to do its job. Kayla was a vibrant young woman with a future, and her life mattered. By passing the Kayla Hamilton Act in the House, we are taking a decisive step to protect families, ensure children are placed with safe sponsors, and prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again.” “The tragedy that took the life of Kayla Hamilton was a senseless and predictable consequence of President Biden’s wide open border and dangerous, morally indefensible policies,” said Speaker Mike Johnson. “The Kayla Hamilton Act puts an end to this madness so no future administration can make such reckless decisions. House Republicans worked to honor Kayla’s memory today with the passage of this bill and our efforts will continue to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again.” “The murder of Kayla Hamilton was a tragedy and entirely preventable,” said Chairman Jim Jordan. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s radical open-borders policies failed to protect American communities and allowed dangerous MS-13 gang members to roam our streets. The Kayla Hamilton Act puts public safety first, restores accountability, and protects American citizens.” “Kayla Hamilton should still be alive today,” said Congressman Nehls. “Tragically, due to the Biden-Harris Administration’s negligence, Kayla’s murderer was let into our country with no background check completed. I’m extremely pleased to see the Kayla Hamilton Act pass the United States House of Representatives, which would ensure that no administration can do the same. I’m proud to support this America first legislation that prioritizes the safety of not only American citizens but also prevents the exploitation of UACs.” “Congressman Fry’s bill puts the safety of children first, plain and simple,” said Congressman Moore. “Kayla Hamilton’s tragic story is a stark reminder of what happens when the government fails to do its most basic job - protect innocent children. The Kayla Hamilton Act closes dangerous loopholes that have allowed traffickers, gang members, and illegal aliens to exploit vulnerable children, and it requires background checks, gang screenings, and accountability before a child is placed with a sponsor. Protecting Americans is non-negotiable, and this bill ensures that stricter requirements are in place for both the unaccompanied minors and the sponsors they are placed with.” Endorsing groups include NumbersUSA, Eagle Forum, and the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), Immigration Accountability Project (IAP), and the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). “The Kayla Hamilton Act will go a long way to protecting unaccompani