116th CONGRESS 1st Session |
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to reform asylum procedures related to the filing of frivolous applications, and for other purposes.
July 19, 2019
Mrs. Lesko introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to reform asylum procedures related to the filing of frivolous applications, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. Notice concerning frivolous asylum applications.
(a) In general.—Section 208(d)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158(d)(4)) is amended—
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting “the Secretary of Homeland Security or” before “the Attorney General”;
(2) 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;
(3) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and inserting “; and”; and
(4) 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 and serving as notice to the alien of the consequence of filing a frivolous application.”.
(b) 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” and all that follows and inserting:
“(A) If the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General determines that an alien has knowingly made a frivolous application for asylum and the alien has received the notice under paragraph (4)(C), the alien shall be permanently ineligible for any benefits under this chapter, effective as the date of the final determination of such an application.
“(B) An application is frivolous if the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General determines, consistent with subparagraph (C), that—
“(i) it 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) In determining that an application is frivolous, the Secretary or the Attorney General must be satisfied that the applicant, during the course of the proceedings, has had sufficient opportunity to clarify any discrepancies or implausible aspects of the claim.
“(D) 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) or protection pursuant to the Convention Against Torture.”.
SEC. 2. Anti-fraud investigative work product.
(a) 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”.
(b) 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”.