HR-5137 : Still Just a Bill

Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2014 - Amends the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 to direct the Secretary of State to negotiate agreements between the United States and other countries for the repatriation of children. Requires that such agreements protect children from severe forms of trafficking in persons and provide for their safe removal and repatriation. (Current law provides separate procedures for unaccompanied alien children from countries that are or are not contiguous to the United States.)

Subjects all children who do not make a claim of asylum or fear of persecution to initial screening and expedited removal. (Maintains the exception for Cuban children arriving by air.)

Prohibits the government from bearing any expense of counsel for any person in a removal or related appeal proceedings.

Adds an additional requirement in order to establish a credible fear of persecution claim in an asylum interview.

Limits humanitarian and public interest parole authority.

Prohibits the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) from using parole authority for an alien who is ineligible for refugee status.

Authorizes the DHS Secretary to designate groups as criminal street gangs. Requires detention for anyone found inadmissible or deportable for criminal street gang membership. Bars individuals found inadmissible or deportable for such membership from asylum, temporary protected status, or special immigrant juvenile status.

Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to revise the definition of "unaccompanied alien child."

Prohibits an unaccompanied alien child (UAC) from applying for asylum if such child: (1) may be removed to a safe third country, or (2) has not applied for asylum within one year after arrival in the United States.

Provides for additional immigration judges and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attorneys.

National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act - Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) from restricting specified U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activities on federal land within 100 miles of an international land border to: (1) execute search and rescue operations, and (2) prevent unlawful U.S. entries through the international land borders of the United States.

Directs the Secretary of State to suspend all foreign assistance to certain countries that refuse to: (1) negotiate a child repatriation agreement, or (2) accept from the United States repatriated unaccompanied alien children who are nationals or residents of the sending country.

Permits the use of foreign assistance for repatriation and reintegration purposes.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2014-09-02CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.House committee actions
2014-07-18CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.House committee actions
2014-07-18CommitteeProvisions of H.R. 2398, as introduced, were included in Sec. 16 of H.R. 5137, as introduced. See also H.R. 2398 under Legislation Referred.House committee actions
2014-07-18CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation.House committee actions
2014-07-17IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2014-07-17IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2014-07-17IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2014-07-17IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2014-07-17IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2014-07-17IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

International Affairs
See Subjects
  • Administrative law and regulatory procedures
  • Administrative remedies
  • Border security and unlawful immigration
  • Child safety and welfare
  • Congressional oversight
  • Crime prevention
  • Crimes against children
  • Crimes against property
  • Customs enforcement
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Detention of persons
  • Drug trafficking and controlled substances
  • Evidence and witnesses
  • Foreign aid and international relief
  • Fraud offenses and financial crimes
  • General public lands matters
  • Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
  • Government information and archives
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Human trafficking
  • Immigration status and procedures
  • International law and treaties
  • Judges
  • Juvenile crime and gang violence
  • Land use and conservation
  • Lawyers and legal services
  • Organized crime
  • Performance measurement
  • Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
  • Sanctions
  • Smuggling and trafficking
  • Terrorism
  • Violent crime
  • Visas and passports

Related Bills

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