S685-118

1. Short title; table of contents This Act may be cited as the Stopping Border Surges Act. The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

101. Repatriation of unaccompanied alien children Section 235 of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (8 U.S.C. 1232) is amended— in subsection (a)— in paragraph (2)— by amending the paragraph heading to read as follows: Rules for unaccompanied alien children.—; in subparagraph (A)— in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking who is a national or habitual resident of a country that is contiguous with the United States; in clause (i), by inserting and at the end; in clause (ii), by striking ; and and inserting a period; and by striking clause (iii); in subparagraph (B)— in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) may— and inserting (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.)—; in clause (i), by inserting before permit such child to withdraw the following: may; and in clause (ii), by inserting before return such child the following: shall; and in subparagraph (C)— by amending the subparagraph heading to read as follows: Agreements with foreign countries.—; and in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking The Secretary of State shall negotiate agreements between the United States and countries contiguous to the United States and inserting The Secretary of State may negotiate agreements between the United States and any foreign country that the Secretary determines appropriate; by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as paragraphs (4) through (6), respectively; by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: An unaccompanied alien child shall be interviewed by an immigration officer with specialized training in interviewing child trafficking victims. in paragraph (6)(D), as redesignated— in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking , except for an unaccompanied alien child from a contiguous country subject to exceptions under subsection (a)(2), and inserting who does not meet the criteria listed in paragraph (2)(A); and in clause (i), by inserting , which shall include a hearing before an immigration judge not later than 14 days after being screened under paragraph (4) before the semicolon at the end; in subsection (b)— in paragraph (2)— in subparagraph (A), by inserting believed not to meet the criteria listed in subsection (a)(2)(A) before the semicolon at the end; and in subparagraph (B), by inserting and does not meet the criteria listed in subsection (a)(2)(A) before the period at the end; and in paragraph (3), by striking an unaccompanied alien child in custody shall and all that follows, and inserting the following: an unaccompanied alien child in custody— in the case of a child who does not meet the criteria listed in subsection (a)(2)(A), shall transfer the custody of such child to the Secretary of Health and Human Services not later than 30 days after determining that such child is an unaccompanied alien child who does not meet such criteria; or in the case of child who meets the criteria listed in subsection (a)(2)(A), may transfer the custody of such child to the Secretary of Health and Human Services after determining that such child is an unaccompanied alien child who meets such criteria. in subsection (c)— in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following: Before placing an unaccompanied alien child with an individual, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide to the Secretary of Homeland Security, regarding the individual with whom the child will be placed, the following information: The name of the individual. The Social Security number of the individual, if available. The date of birth of the individual. The location of the individual’s residence where the child will be placed. The immigration status of the individual, if known. Contact information for the individual. Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide to the Secretary of Homeland Security the information listed in clause (i) with respect to any unaccompanied alien child apprehended between January 1, 2021, and such date of enactment who the Secretary of Health and Human Services has placed with an individual. Not later than 30 days after receiving the information listed in clause (i), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall— if the immigration status of an individual with whom a child is placed is unknown, investigate the immigration status of such individual; and upon determining that an individual with whom a child is placed is unlawfully present in the United States, initiate removal proceedings against such individual pursuant to chapter 4 of title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1221 et seq.) in paragraph (5)— by inserting after to the greatest extent practicable the following: (at no expense to the Government); and by striking have counsel to represent them and inserting have access to counsel to represent them. The amendments made by this section shall apply to any unaccompanied alien child apprehended on or after the date of enactment of this Act. (3)Special rules for interviewing unaccompanied alien childrenAn unaccompanied alien child shall be interviewed by an immigration officer with specialized training in interviewing child trafficking victims. ; and an unaccompanied alien child in custody— (A)in the case of a child who does not meet the criteria listed in subsection (a)(2)(A), shall transfer the custody of such child to the Secretary of Health and Human Services not later than 30 days after determining that such child is an unaccompanied alien child who does not meet such criteria; or (B)in the case of child who meets the criteria listed in subsection (a)(2)(A), may transfer the custody of such child to the Secretary of Health and Human Services after determining that such child is an unaccompanied alien child who meets such criteria.; and (D)Information about individuals with whom children are placed (i)Information to be provided to the department of homeland securityBefore placing an unaccompanied alien child with an individual, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide to the Secretary of Homeland Security, regarding the individual with whom the child will be placed, the following information: (I)The name of the individual. (II)The Social Security number of the individual, if available. (III)The date of birth of the individual. (IV)The location of the individual’s residence where the child will be placed. (V)The immigration status of the individual, if known. (VI)Contact information for the individual. (ii)Special ruleNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide to the Secretary of Homeland Security the information listed in clause (i) with respect to any unaccompanied alien child apprehended between January 1, 2021, and such date of enactment who the Secretary of Health and Human Services has placed with an individual. (iii)Activities of the secretary of homeland securityNot later than 30 days after receiving the information listed in clause (i), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall— (I)if the immigration status of an individual with whom a child is placed is unknown, investigate the immigration status of such individual; and (II)upon determining that an individual with whom a child is placed is unlawfully present in the United States, initiate removal proceedings against such individual pursuant to chapter 4 of title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1221 et seq.) ; and

102. Clarification of standards for family detention Section 235 of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (8 U.S.C. 1232) is amended by adding at the end the following: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, judicial determination, consent decree, or settlement agreement, the detention of any alien child who is not an unaccompanied alien child shall be governed by sections 217, 235, 236, and 241 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187, 1225, 1226, and 1231). There is no presumption that an alien child who is not an unaccompanied alien child should not be detained, and all determinations regarding the detention of such children shall be in the discretion of the Secretary of Homeland Security. An alien minor who is not an unaccompanied alien child may not be released by the Secretary of Homeland Security other than to a parent or legal guardian who is lawfully present in the United States. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall— maintain the care and custody of an alien, during the period during which the charges described in clause (i) are pending, who— is charged only with a misdemeanor offense under section 275(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1325(a)); and entered the United States with the alien’s child who has not attained 18 years of age; and detain the alien with the alien’s child. It is the sense of Congress that the amendment made by subsection (a) is intended to satisfy the requirements of the Settlement Agreement in Flores v. Meese, No. 85–4544 (C.D. Cal) as approved by the court on January 28, 1997, with respect to its interpretation in Flores v. Johnson, 212 F. Supp. 3d 864 (C.D. Cal. 2015), that the agreement applies to accompanied minors. The amendment made by subsection (a)— shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; and shall apply to all actions that occur before, on, or after such date of enactment. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, judicial determination, consent decree, or settlement agreement, no State may require that an immigration detention facility used to detain children who have not attained 18 years of age, or families consisting of 1 or more of such children and the parents or legal guardians of such children, that is located in such State, be licensed by the State or by any political subdivision of such State. (j)Rule of construction (1)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, judicial determination, consent decree, or settlement agreement, the detention of any alien child who is not an unaccompanied alien child shall be governed by sections 217, 235, 236, and 241 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1187, 1225, 1226, and 1231). There is no presumption that an alien child who is not an unaccompanied alien child should not be detained, and all determinations regarding the detention of such children shall be in the discretion of the Secretary of Homeland Security. (2)Release of minors other than unaccompanied aliensAn alien minor who is not an unaccompanied alien child may not be released by the Secretary of Homeland Security other than to a parent or legal guardian who is lawfully present in the United States. (3)Family detentionThe Secretary of Homeland Security shall— (A)maintain the care and custody of an alien, during the period during which the charges described in clause (i) are pending, who— (i)is charged only with a misdemeanor offense under section 275(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1325(a)); and (ii)entered the United States with the alien’s child who has not attained 18 years of age; and (B)detain the alien with the alien’s child..

103. Special immigrant juvenile status for immigrants unable to reunite with either parent Section 101(a)(27)(J) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(J)) is amended— in clause (i), by striking , and whose reunification with 1 or both of the immigrant's parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or a similar basis found under State law; and in clause (iii)— in subclause (I), by striking and at the end; in subclause (II), by adding and at the end; and by adding at the end the following: an alien may not be granted special immigrant juvenile status under this subparagraph if his or her reunification with any parent or legal guardian is not precluded by abuse, neglect, abandonment, or any similar cause under State law; (III)an alien may not be granted special immigrant juvenile status under this subparagraph if his or her reunification with any parent or legal guardian is not precluded by abuse, neglect, abandonment, or any similar cause under State law;.

201. Clarification of asylum eligibility Section 208(a)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(a)(1)) is amended— by striking or who arrives in the United States (whether or not at a designated port of arrival and including an alien who is brought to the United States after having been interdicted in international or United States waters),; and by inserting and has arrived in the United States at a port of entry, after United States. Section 208(b)(1)(A) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting and is eligible to apply for asylum under subsection (a) after section 101(a)(42)(A).

202. 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 if the Attorney General determines that the alien may be removed and inserting the following: “if the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that— the alien may be removed by striking removed, pursuant to a bilateral or multilateral agreement, to and inserting removed to; by inserting , on a case by case basis, before finds that; by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and by adding at the end the following: the alien entered, attempted to enter, or arrived in the United States after transiting through at least one country outside the alien’s country of citizenship, nationality, or last lawful habitual residence en route to the United States, unless— the alien demonstrates that he or she applied for protection from persecution or torture in at least one country outside the alien’s country of citizenship, nationality, or last lawful habitual residence through which the alien transited en route to the United States, and the alien received a final judgement denying the alien protection in each country; the alien demonstrates that he or she was a victim of a severe form of trafficking in which a commercial sex act was induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act was younger than 18 years of age; or in which the trafficking included the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery, and was unable to apply for protection from persecution in all countries that alien transited en route to the United States as a result of such severe form of trafficking; or the only countries through which the alien transited en route to the United States were, at the time of the transit, not parties to the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, or the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. (i)the alien may be removed; (ii)the alien entered, attempted to enter, or arrived in the United States after transiting through at least one country outside the alien’s country of citizenship, nationality, or last lawful habitual residence en route to the United States, unless— (I)the alien demonstrates that he or she applied for protection from persecution or torture in at least one country outside the alien’s country of citizenship, nationality, or last lawful habitual residence through which the alien transited en route to the United States, and the alien received a final judgement denying the alien protection in each country; (II)the alien demonstrates that he or she was a victim of a severe form of trafficking in which a commercial sex act was induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act was younger than 18 years of age; or in which the trafficking included the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery, and was unable to apply for protection from persecution in all countries that alien transited en route to the United States as a result of such severe form of trafficking; or (III)the only countries through which the alien transited en route to the United States were, at the time of the transit, not parties to the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, or the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment..

203. Application timing Section 208(a)(2)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(a)(2)(B)) is amended by striking 1 year and inserting 6 months.

204. Clarification of burden of proof Section 208(b)(1)(B)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(1)(B)(i)) is amended by striking at least one central reason and inserting the central reason.

205. Anti-fraud investigative work product 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. Section 240(c)(4)(C) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1229a(c)(4)(C)) is amended by inserting , including statements made to, and investigative reports prepared by, immigration authorities and other government officials after all relevant factors.

206. Additional exception Section 208(b)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(2)(A)) is amended— in clause (v), by striking or at the end; in clause (vi), by striking the period and inserting ; or; and by adding at the end the following: there are reasonable grounds for concluding the alien could avoid persecution by relocating to another part of the alien’s country of nationality or, if stateless, another part of the alien’s country of last habitual residence. (vii)there are reasonable grounds for concluding the alien could avoid persecution by relocating to another part of the alien’s country of nationality or, if stateless, another part of the alien’s country of last habitual residence..

207. Jurisdiction of asylum applications Section 208(b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158) is amended by striking subparagraph (C).

208. Renunciation of asylum status pursuant to return to home country Section 208(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 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. 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 may be sought prior to departure from the United States or upon return. Section 208(c)(3) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(c)(3)) is amended by inserting or (4) after paragraph (2). (4)Renunciation of status pursuant to return to home country (A)In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), 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)WaiverThe 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 may be sought prior to departure from the United States or upon return..

209. Clarification regarding employment eligibility Section 208(d)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(d)(2)) is amended— by striking prior to 180 days and inserting before the date that is 1 year; and by inserting and the authorization shall expire 6 months after the date on which it is granted before the period at the end.

210. Notice concerning frivolous asylum applications 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; and and inserting a semicolon; in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and by adding at the end the following: ensure that a written warning appears on the asylum application advising the alien of the consequences of filing a frivolous application and serving as notice to the alien of the consequence of filing a frivolous application. Section 208(d)(6) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(d)(6)) is amended to read as follows: If the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General determines that an alien has knowingly made a frivolous application for asylum after receiving the written warning required under paragraph (4)(C), such alien shall be permanently ineligible for any benefits under this chapter, effective as the date of the final determination of such an application. An application shall be considered frivolous if the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General determines, consistent with subparagraph (C), that— the application is so insufficient in substance that it is clear that the applicant knowingly filed the application solely or in part to delay removal from the United States, to seek employment authorization as an applicant for asylum pursuant to regulations issued pursuant to paragraph (2), or to seek issuance of a Notice to Appear in order to pursue Cancellation of Removal under section 240A(b); or any of the material elements are knowingly fabricated. An application may not be considered frivolous under this paragraph unless the Secretary or the Attorney General are satisfied that the applicant, during the course of the proceedings, has had sufficient opportunity to clarify any discrepancies or implausible aspects of the applicant's claim. A determination under this paragraph that an alien filed a frivolous asylum application shall not preclude such alien from seeking withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) or protection pursuant to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, done at New York December 10, 1984. (C)ensure that a written warning appears on the asylum application advising the alien of the consequences of filing a frivolous application and serving as notice to the alien of the consequence of filing a frivolous application.. (6)Frivolous applications (A)ConsequenceIf the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General determines that an alien has knowingly made a frivolous application for asylum after receiving the written warning required under paragraph (4)(C), such alien shall be permanently ineligible for any benefits under this chapter, effective as the date of the final determination of such an application. (B)DeterminationAn application shall be considered frivolous if the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General determines, consistent with subparagraph (C), that— (i)the application is so insufficient in substance that it is clear that the applicant knowingly filed the application solely or in part to delay removal from the United States, to seek employment authorization as an applicant for asylum pursuant to regulations issued pursuant to paragraph (2), or to seek issuance of a Notice to Appear in order to pursue Cancellation of Removal under section 240A(b); or (ii)any of the material elements are knowingly fabricated. (C)Opportunity to clarify claimAn application may not be considered frivolous under this paragraph unless the Secretary or the Attorney General are satisfied that the applicant, during the course of the proceedings, has had sufficient opportunity to clarify any discrepancies or implausible aspects of the applicant's claim. (D)Withholding of removalA determination under this paragraph that an alien filed a frivolous asylum application shall not preclude such alien from seeking withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) or protection pursuant to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, done at New York December 10, 1984..

211. 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..

212. Recording expedited removal and credible fear interviews 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 such questions and the answers provided in response to such questions are recorded in a uniform manner. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall— provide a checklist of standard questions and concepts to be addressed in all interviews required under section 235(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225(b)) to immigration officers exercising decision-making authority in such interviews; routinely update such checklist to include relevant changes to law and procedures; and require all immigration officers utilizing such checklists to provide concise justifications of their decisions regardless of whether credible fear was or was not established by the alien. To the extent practicable, any sworn or signed written statement taken from 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 such sworn statement. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure the use of a competent interpreter who is not affiliated with the government of the country from which the alien may claim asylum if the interviewing officer does not speak a language understood by the alien. All interviews of aliens subject to expedited removal shall be recorded (either by audio or by audio visual). Such recordings shall be included in the record of proceeding and shall be considered as evidence in any further proceedings involving such aliens. Nothing in this section may 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; or any right of review in any administrative, judicial, or other proceeding.

213. Penalties for asylum fraud Section 1001 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: Any person who, in any matter before the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General pertaining to asylum under section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158) or withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1231(b)(3)), knowingly and willfully— makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or makes or uses any false writings or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry, (d)Any person who, in any matter before the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General pertaining to asylum under section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158) or withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1231(b)(3)), knowingly and willfully— (1)makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or (2)makes or uses any false writings or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry,shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both..

214. Statute of limitations for asylum fraud Section 3291 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— by striking 1544, and inserting 1544, and section 1546,; and by inserting or within 10 years after the fraud is discovered before the period at the end.

215. Technical amendments Section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended by this title, is further 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; in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), 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; 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; and in paragraph (5)— in subparagraph (A), by striking Attorney General and inserting Secretary of Homeland Security; and in subparagraph (B), by inserting Secretary of Homeland Security or the before Attorney General.