Immigration (Refugees & Asylum) in United States

in committee · United States · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 8240: SAFER Act of 2026

The SAFER Act of 2026 prohibits U.S. immigration officials from granting asylum to individuals who have returned to their country of nationality or last habitual residence after applying for asylum. The bill also allows for the termination of existing asylum status, denaturalization, and deportation for those who return to their country of concern. Exceptions to these restrictions may be made on a case-by-case basis if the President certifies national security needs or the Secretary of State certifies a legitimate transfer of power in the country. This legislation directly affects asylum seekers and those already granted asylum who travel back to their home countries.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Enforcement Refugees & Asylum Sanctuary Policies

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 27, 2025

S 762: No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act

This bill prohibits immigration benefits for individuals who participated in, planned, financed, or supported Hamas attacks against Israel beginning October 7, 2023. It amends U.S. immigration law to make such individuals inadmissible to the United States and ineligible for any immigration relief, including asylum or other protections. The law requires the Department of Homeland Security to annually report to Congress on how many people were denied entry or removed under these provisions. It directly affects aliens involved in specific Hamas attacks against Israel since October 7, 2023, and modifies existing immigration inadmissibility and relief standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Refugees & Asylum

in committee · United States · House Jan 31, 2025

HR 871: RULES Act

The RULES Act requires asylum seekers to apply only at official U.S. ports of entry, not elsewhere in the country. It prohibits releasing applicants into the United States while their asylum application is pending. This directly affects individuals seeking asylum who cross the border without entering through designated ports. The law does not apply to people already inside the U.S. without authorization or who overstayed their visa.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Enforcement Refugees & Asylum Sanctuary Policies

in committee · United States · House Dec 4, 2025

HR 6443: Afghan SIV Termination and Security Review Act of 2025

HR 6443 terminates the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, ending all new applications and closing pending cases as of its enactment date. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to conduct mandatory security reassessments for all current SIV beneficiaries within 18 months, including biometric checks, updated database scans, and document verification. Beneficiaries failing the review - due to ineligibility, fraud, or security concerns - face rescinded status and potential removal proceedings. Any remaining funds from the SIV program are redirected to the VA's Supportive Services for Veteran Families program.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Enforcement Refugees & Asylum

in committee · United States · House Mar 3, 2025

HR 1792: No Tax Dollars for the United Nation’s Immigration Invasion Act

HR 1792 prohibits U.S. federal funds from being provided to three United Nations agencies: the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study identifying all U.S. funding to these agencies from 2021-2025, including amounts and restrictions, and to assess any funds owed to the U.S. government. It also mandates an audit of the State Department’s Refugee Travel Loan Program. The GAO must submit a report to Congress within 180 days of the bill’s enactment detailing these findings. This bill directly affects federal funding mechanisms for international refugee and migration programs.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Refugees & Asylum

in committee · United States · House Feb 6, 2025

HR 1050: Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act

This bill would make it easier to remove non-citizens who are members of or associated with criminal gangs from the United States. It defines a "criminal gang" as a group of five or more people whose primary purpose is committing serious crimes including drug offenses, violent crimes, human trafficking, and other specified offenses. The Secretary of Homeland Security, with Attorney General consultation, would have authority to designate groups as criminal gangs, with procedures for review and potential revocation. The bill would block asylum eligibility, temporary protected status, special immigrant juvenile visas, and parole for those designated as gang members, with limited exceptions for those assisting law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Enforcement Refugees & Asylum Sanctuary Policies

in committee · United States · House Jan 6, 2026

HR 6946: Temporary Protected Status Reform Act of 2026.

HR 6946, the Temporary Protected Status Reform Act of 2026, would terminate TPS for nationals from Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon. It requires these individuals to depart the U.S. within 180 days of the law's enactment, unless they already hold other lawful immigration status (such as permanent residency, asylum, or another non-TPS visa). Employment authorization tied to TPS would expire on the termination date, and the Secretary of Homeland Security cannot redesignate these countries for TPS without new legislation. The bill explicitly states it does not require granting relief or limit existing immigration enforcement authority.

Topics ✗ Immigration ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Enforcement Refugees & Asylum Work Authorization

in committee · United States · House Mar 6, 2025

HR 1915: Stop the Cartels Act

The Stop the Cartels Act (HR 1915) aims to combat drug trafficking and human smuggling by enhancing U.S. intelligence efforts focused on Mexico and Central American countries. It requires regular reports on drug trafficking organizations, designates specific cartels (including the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel) as "Special Transnational Criminal Organizations," and withholds federal grants from jurisdictions that violate immigration laws. The bill also establishes refugee application centers in Mexico and Central America, increases immigration judge staffing by 500 positions, and reforms asylum processing to address fraud while ending family separation policies. It repurposes federal drug program funding by increasing substance abuse prevention and treatment grants while repealing several existing programs. The legislation directly affects U.S. immigration enforcement, federal funding allocation to state and local governments, and the processing of asylum claims and refugee applications.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Judges Law Enforcement Enforcement Refugees & Asylum

in committee · United States · House Jul 28, 2025

HR 4765: Securing our Border Act

HR 4765, the "Securing our Border Act," allocates federal funds to enhance border security at land ports of entry. It directs one-third of unobligated funds toward achieving 100% scanning of vehicles using nonintrusive inspection systems by 2034, and two-thirds toward constructing a border wall along the southwest border, requiring quarterly reports on progress and costs. The bill also authorizes recruitment, retention, and relocation bonuses for U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, with specific limits (e.g., up to $15,000 for recruitment). Additionally, it amends immigration law to require returning certain migrants to contiguous territory or a safe third country while processing their cases, rather than allowing immediate release. These provisions directly affect CBP operations, border infrastructure, and immigration processing procedures.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Border Security Enforcement Refugees & Asylum

in committee · United States · House Jun 4, 2025

HR 3724: No Amnesty for Hamas Sympathizers Act

HR 3724, the "No Amnesty for Hamas Sympathizers Act," blocks immigration protections for Palestinians from specific territories. It nullifies a February 2024 policy allowing deferred enforced departure and prohibits Temporary Protected Status, asylum, refugee status, and parole for individuals who habitually resided in Palestinian-administered territories (Judea/Samaria or Gaza) or hold Palestinian Authority passports. The bill adds these individuals to the list of inadmissible and deportable persons under immigration law, making them ineligible for most forms of U.S. immigration relief. These provisions directly affect Palestinians from those regions who might otherwise qualify for immigration benefits. The bill focuses on geographic and document-based restrictions, not political affiliation.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Enforcement Refugees & Asylum Sanctuary Policies

All immigration bills