1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2019”.
Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2019
A BILL
To modify the treatment of unaccompanied alien children who are in Federal custody by reason of their immigration status, and for other purposes.
2. Clarification of intent regarding taxpayer-provided counsel
Section 292 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1362) is amended—
by striking “In any removal proceedings before an immigration judge and in any appeal proceedings before the Attorney General from any such removal proceedings” and inserting “In any removal proceedings before an immigration judge, or any other immigration proceedings before the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or any appeal of such a proceeding”;
by striking “(at no expense to the Government)”; and
by adding at the end the following:
3. Credible fear interviews
Section 235(b)(1)(B)(v) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(1)(B)(v)) is amended by striking “claim” and all that follows and inserting “claim, as determined pursuant to section 208(b)(1)(B)(iii) and such other facts as are known to the officer, that the alien could establish eligibility for asylum under section 208, and it is more probable than not that the statements made by, and on behalf of, the alien in support of the alien’s claim are true.”.
4. Recording expedited removal and credible fear interviews
In general— The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish quality assurance procedures and take steps to effectively ensure that questions by employees of the Department of Homeland Security exercising expedited removal authority under section 235(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225(b)) are asked in a uniform manner, to the extent possible, and that both these questions and the answers provided in response to them are recorded in a uniform fashion.
Factors relating to sworn statements— Where practicable, any sworn or signed written statement taken of an alien as part of the record of a proceeding under section 235(b)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(1)(A)) shall be accompanied by a recording of the interview which served as the basis for that sworn statement.
Interpreters— The Secretary shall ensure that a competent interpreter, not affiliated with the government of the country from which the alien may claim asylum, is used when the interviewing officer does not speak a language understood by the alien.
Recordings in immigration proceedings— There shall be an audio or audio visual recording of interviews of aliens subject to expedited removal. The recording shall be included in the record of proceeding and shall be considered as evidence in any further proceedings involving the alien.
No private right of action— Nothing in this section shall be construed to create any right, benefit, trust, or responsibility, whether substantive or procedural, enforceable in law or equity by a party against the United States, its departments, agencies, instrumentalities, entities, officers, employees, or agents, or any person, nor does this section create any right of review in any administrative, judicial, or other proceeding.
5. Parole reform
In general— Paragraph (5) of section 212(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)) is amended to read as follows:
“(5) Humanitarian and significant public interest parole
“(A) In general—Subject to the provisions of this paragraph and section 214(f)(2), the Secretary of Homeland Security, in the sole discretion of the Secretary of Homeland Security, may on an individual case-by-case basis, and not according to eligibility criteria describing an entire class of potential parole recipients, parole an alien into the United States temporarily, under such conditions as the Secretary of Homeland Security may prescribe, only—
“(i) an alien not present in the United States for an urgent humanitarian reason (as described under subparagraph (B));
“(ii) an alien not present in the United States for a reason deemed strictly in the significant public interest (as described under subparagraph (C)); or
“(iii) an alien who—
“(I) is present in the United States without lawful immigration status;
“(II) is the beneficiary of a pending or approved petition under section 203(a);
“(III) is not otherwise inadmissible or deportable; and
“(IV) is the spouse or minor child of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty at the request of the member of the Armed Forces.
“(B) Humanitarian parole—The Secretary of Homeland Security may parole an alien based on an urgent humanitarian reason described in this subparagraph only if—
“(i) the alien has a medical emergency and the alien cannot obtain necessary treatment in the foreign state in which the alien is residing or the medical emergency is life-threatening and there is insufficient time for the alien to be admitted through the normal visa process;
“(ii) the alien is the parent or legal guardian of an alien described in clause (i), if the alien described in clause (i) is a minor;
“(iii) the alien is needed in the United States in order to donate an organ or other tissue for transplant into a close family member and there is insufficient time for the alien to be admitted through the normal visa process;
“(iv) the alien has a close family member in the United States whose death is imminent and the alien could not arrive in the United States in time to see such family member alive if the alien were to be admitted through the normal visa process;
“(v) the alien is an adopted child with an urgent medical condition, who is in the legal custody of the petitioner for a final adoption-related visa, and whose medical treatment is required prior to the expected award of a final adoption-related visa;
“(vi) the alien is a lawful applicant for adjustment of status under section 245; or
“(vii) the alien was—
“(I) lawfully granted status under section 208;
“(II) lawfully admitted under section 207; or
“(III) granted withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3).
“(C) Significant public interest parole—The Secretary of Homeland Security may parole an alien based on a reason deemed strictly in the significant public interest described in this subparagraph only if the alien has assisted (or will assist, whether knowingly or not) the United States Government in a matter, such as a criminal investigation, espionage, or other similar law enforcement activity, including a civil litigation matter requiring the alien’s presence, and either the alien’s presence in the United States is required by the Government or the alien’s life would be threatened if the alien were not permitted to come to the United States. Only a matter described in this subparagraph shall qualify for purposes of this subparagraph, and no other matter may qualify.
“(D) Limitation on the use of parole authority—The Secretary of Homeland Security may not use the parole authority under this paragraph—
“(i) to circumvent immigration policy established by law to admit classes of aliens who do not qualify for admission; or
“(ii) to supplement established immigration categories without congressional approval.
“(E) Parole not an admission—Parole of an alien under this paragraph shall not be considered an admission of the alien into the United States. When the purposes of the parole of an alien have been served, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security, the alien shall immediately return or be returned to the custody from which the alien was paroled and the alien shall be considered for admission to the United States on the same basis as other similarly situated applicants for admission.
“(F) Report to Congress—Not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit a report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate describing the number and categories of aliens paroled into the United States under this paragraph. Each such report shall contain information and data concerning the number and categories of aliens paroled, the duration of parole, and the current status of aliens paroled during the preceding fiscal year.”
Effective date— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the first day of the first month beginning more than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
6. Modifications to preferential availability for asylum for unaccompanied alien minors
Section 208(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(a)(2)) is amended by striking subparagraph (E).
7. Safe third country
Section 208(a)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(a)(2)(A)) is amended—
by striking “Attorney General” each place it appears and inserting “Secretary of Homeland Security”; and
by striking “removed, pursuant to a bilateral or multilateral agreement, to” and inserting “removed to”.
8. Withholding of removal
Section 241(b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1231(b)(3)) is amended—
by adding at the end of subparagraph (A) the following:
in subparagraph (C), by striking “In determining whether an alien has demonstrated that the alien's life or freedom would be threatened for a reason described in subparagraph (A),” and inserting “For purposes of this paragraph,”.
9. Firm resettlement
Section 208(b)(2)(A)(vi) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(2)(A)(vi)) is amended by striking “States.” and inserting “States, which shall be considered demonstrated by evidence that the alien can live in such country (in any legal status) without fear of persecution.”.
10. Termination of Asylum Status Pursuant to Return to Home Country
In general— Section 208(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
“(3) Termination of status pursuant to return to home country
“(A) In general—Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), any alien who is granted asylum status under this Act, who, absent changed country conditions, subsequently returns to the country of such alien’s nationality or, in the case of an alien having no nationality, returns to any country in which such alien last habitually resided, and who applied for such status because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution in that country on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, shall have his or her status terminated.
“(B) Waiver—The Secretary has discretion to waive subparagraph (A) if it is established to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the alien had a compelling reason for the return. The waiver shall be sought prior to departure from the United States or upon return.”
Conforming amendment— Section 208(c)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(c)(3)) is amended by inserting after “paragraph (2)” the following: “or (4)”.
11. Notice concerning frivolous asylum applications
In general— Section 208(d)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(d)(4)) is amended—
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting “the Secretary of Homeland Security or” before “the Attorney General”;
in subparagraph (A), by striking “and of the consequences, under paragraph (6), of knowingly filing a frivolous application for asylum”;
in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and inserting “; and”;
by adding at the end the following:
“(C) ensure that a written warning appears on the asylum application advising the alien of the consequences of filing a frivolous application.”
by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
Conforming amendment— Section 208(d)(6) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(d)(6)) is amended—
by striking “If the Attorney General” and inserting “(A) In general.—If the Department of Homeland Security or the Attorney General”;
by striking “paragraph (4)(A)” in subparagraph (A) (as designated in paragraph (1) of this subsection) and inserting “paragraph (4)(C)”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(B) Determination—An application may be found “frivolous” if it is determined—
“(i) to be totally insufficient in substance such that it is clear that the applicant knowingly filed the application without intending to pursue the merits of his or her asylum claim solely—
“(I) to delay removal from the United States;
“(II) to seek employment authorization as an applicant for asylum pursuant to regulations issued pursuant to paragraph (2); or
“(III) for applicants whom have not yet had removal proceedings initiated against them under section 239, to seek issuance of a notice to appear in order to pursue cancellation of removal under section 240A(b); or
“(ii) that any of its material elements is deliberately fabricated.
“(C) Limitation on determination—A determination under subparagraph (B) shall only be made if the decision maker is satisfied that the applicant, during the course of the proceedings, has had sufficient opportunity to account for any discrepancies or implausible aspects of the claim. For purposes of this section, a finding that an alien filed a frivolous asylum application shall not preclude the alien from seeking withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3).”
12. Termination of Asylum Status in Removal Proceedings
Section 208(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(c)), as amended by this Act, is further amended—
in paragraph (2)—
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting “the Secretary of Homeland Security or” before “the Attorney General”; and
in subparagraph (C), by striking “, pursuant to a bilateral or multilateral agreement,”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(5) Timing for Consideration of Termination of Asylum Status in Removal Proceedings—If an alien's asylum status is subject to termination under paragraph (2) or (4), the immigration judge shall first determine whether the conditions specified under that paragraph have been met, and if so, terminate the alien’s asylum status before considering whether the alien is eligible for adjustment of status under section 209.”
13. Limitation on Eligibility for Asylum Based on Generalized Violence
Section 208(b)(2)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(2)(B)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(iii) Limitation on Eligibility Based on Generalized Violence—An alien is not eligible for asylum under this section, or withholding of removal under section 241, based on any of the following circumstances:
“(I) Being, or having been, a member of a criminal gang.
“(II) Participating, or having participated, in the activities of a criminal gang.
“(III) Having been recruited into, or having a fear of being recruited into, membership of, or the activities of, a criminal gang.
“(IV) Having been, or having a fear of being, the victim of a crime committed by a member of a criminal gang, or otherwise having been, or having a fear of being, the victim of a crime in the alien’s home country, unless the main motivating factor for the commission of the crime, or the fear of being the victim of a crime, is related to the alien’s race, religion, national origin, or political opinion.”
14. Membership in a particular social group defined
Section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(53) The term membership in a particular social group means membership in a group that is—
“(A) composed of members who share a common immutable characteristic;
“(B) defined with particularity; and
“(C) socially distinct within the society in question.”
15. Anti-fraud investigative work product
Asylum credibility determinations— Section 208(b)(1)(B)(iii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(1)(B)(iii)) is amended by inserting after “all relevant factors” the following: “, including statements made to, and investigative reports prepared by, immigration authorities and other government officials”.
Relief for removal credibility determinations— Section 240(c)(4)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229a(c)(4)(C)) is amended by inserting after “all relevant factors” the following: “, including statements made to, and investigative reports prepared by, immigration authorities and other government officials”.
16. Clarification for conduct of rogue foreign officials
Asylum applications— Section 208(b)(2)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(2)(B)), as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
“(iv) Rogue foreign government officials—The burden of proof under paragraph (1)(B) may not be established based on the conduct of rogue foreign government officials acting outside the scope of their official capacity.”
Countries to which an alien may be removed— Section 241(b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1231(b)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(C) Special rule—The burden of proof for relief under this paragraph may not be established based on the conduct of rogue foreign government officials acting outside the scope of their official capacity.”
17. Technical amendments
Section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158) is amended—
in subsection (a)—
in paragraph (2)(D), by inserting “Secretary of Homeland Security or the” before “Attorney General”; and
in paragraph (3), by inserting “Secretary of Homeland Security or the” before “Attorney General”;
in subsection (b)(2), by inserting “Secretary of Homeland Security or the” before “Attorney General” each place such term appears;
in subsection (c)—
in paragraph (1), by striking “Attorney General” each place such term appears and inserting “Secretary of Homeland Security”; and
in paragraph (3), by inserting “Secretary of Homeland Security or the” before “Attorney General”; and
in subsection (d)—
in paragraph (1), by inserting “Secretary of Homeland Security or the” before “Attorney General” each place such term appears;
in paragraph (2), by striking “Attorney General” and inserting “Secretary of Homeland Security”;
in paragraph (3), by inserting “Secretary of Homeland Security or the” before “Attorney General” each place such term appears;
in paragraph (5)—
in subparagraph (A), by inserting “Secretary of Homeland Security or the” before “Attorney General”; and
in subparagraph (B), by inserting “Secretary of Homeland Security or the” before “Attorney General”; and
in paragraph (6), by inserting “Secretary of Homeland Security or the” before “Attorney General” each place such term appears.