WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Sen. Thom Tillis and a group of senators introduced the Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act ahead of President Trump signing an executive order Wednesday. 

• Executive order would keep families together
• Senators, including Thom Tillis, introduced the Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act 
• Zero-tolerance prosecution policy stays in place

The act includes provisions to "ensure the humane and fair treatment of migrant children and families by setting mandatory standards of care for family residential centers."

This act, drafted ahead of the executive order President Trump signed Wednesday afternoon, comes as House Republicans prepare for votes on immigration.

Proposed policy would end the controversial family separation policy currently in place, but the zero-tolerance prosecution of illegal immigrants would continue.

Technically, the president did not have to sign an executive order to stop the separation, according to our Spectrum News Networks team in Washington, DC.

There are questions now about what Homeland Security will do with the families that cross over, and also how the government will reunite children with families.

Vote still expected Thursday on immigration bills

It comes as House Republicans prepare for votes on immigration.

The House Republican bill needs at least 218 votes to pass. The House has 235 Republicans but it is not clear if all of them will support the bill.

Under this bill, the families would be held together in Homeland Security facilities while adults await legal hearings.

The bill also aims to grant DACA recipients a pathway to citizenship and provides funding to build a border wall. 

House Democrats on Wednesday said they would not approve any bill coming from House Republicans, saying there was bad language in the bill.