Asylum Accountability Act

# Asylum Accountability Act - Plain Language Summary **What the bill would do:** The Asylum Accountability Act would make it permanently illegal for immigrants to receive certain types of immigration relief if they fail to show up for a removal hearing, unless they have an exceptional reason for missing it. Currently, this penalty lasts 10 years; this bill would make it lifetime. The relief affected includes cancellation of removal (which can lead to permanent residency), voluntary departure, and switching visa categories. **Who it affects and key details:** This bill would primarily affect non-U.S.

citizens in removal proceedings—people facing deportation who skip their court dates. Under current law, missing a hearing results in a 10-year ban from seeking relief; this bill extends that to a permanent ban. The bill does allow for exceptions if someone can prove "exceptional circumstances" prevented them from attending. **Current status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative David Rouzer (R-NC) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.