End Unaccountable Amnesty Act
End Unaccountable Amnesty Act
Plain Language Summary
# End Unaccountable Amnesty Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would significantly restrict immigration protections and procedures. Currently, the Department of Homeland Security can grant "Temporary Protected Status" (TPS)—which allows people from countries experiencing war, natural disasters, or disease to stay in the U.S.—on its own authority. This bill would require Congress to approve each TPS grant instead.
It would also limit TPS to 12 months at a time. Additionally, the bill would require that unaccompanied children who enter the country illegally be returned to their home country, rather than leaving that decision to DHS officials. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects immigrants and asylum seekers, particularly unaccompanied minors and nationals of countries currently designated for TPS. It would also impact DHS officials, who would have less discretion in handling these cases, and Congress, which would gain oversight authority over TPS decisions. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced by Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.
CRS Official Summary
End Unaccountable Amnesty ActThis bill revises, restricts, and repeals various laws and programs addressing the admissibility and deportability of certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law). The bill includes changes to the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, the treatment of unaccompanied children, and removal proceedings.Under current law, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may grant a foreign state Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which protects qualified nationals of that foreign state from removal from the United States. The bill instead requires an act of Congress to grant TPS to a foreign state. The bill limits TPS status to 12 months, subject to extension.The bill also generally requires the return of unaccompanied inadmissible children to their country of nationality or last habitual residence, among other changes. Under current law, DHS is authorized (not required) to return these children, and only if their country of nationality or last habitual residence is contiguous to the United States.The bill also repeals the law allowing for the cancellation of removal or adjustment of the immigration status of qualifying non-U.S. nationals. Under the bill, certain forms of identification, including a Notice to Appear issued by DHS, are no longer valid documents for purposes of airport security checkpoints.The bill also limits the ability of DHS to grant parole (temporary admission granted on a case-by-case basis). For example, the bill limits the granting of parole to a list of specific situations, such as the imminent death of a close family member.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.