What This Bill Does
The SECURE America Act would overhaul how refugees are admitted to the United States by shifting key decisions from the executive branch to Congress. It would require a joint resolution before refugees can be admitted each fiscal year, add congressional review of refugee-eligibility determinations, and impose new FBI, DHS, and State Department vetting and reporting requirements. The bill also bars parole for people without immigration status, lets states block refugee resettlement in their borders, and makes refugees who commit crimes of violence ineligible for admission or subject to removal. No dollar amounts are involved; the bill is mainly about changing authority, screening, and admission rules.
- Congress would have to pass a joint resolution setting the refugee cap before refugees can be admitted each fiscal year.
- The FBI would have to certify a thorough background investigation before refugee admission, including an assimilation likelihood screening.
- DHS would have to send Congress monthly reports on refugee applications and non-certifications.
- States could block refugee resettlement if the governor or other chief executive says the state does not agree.
- Refugees who commit a crime of violence would be ineligible for admission or could lose permanent-resident status.
Who This Bill Affects
For the general public, this bill would make refugee admissions much harder and more controlled by Congress, while adding new screening steps that could slow or block entry for refugees and some other immigrants. It would also let states refuse refugee resettlement and would end DHS parole authority for people without immigration status, which could affect how some migrants are processed and where refugees are placed. People seeking refuge, refugee resettlement agencies, and states that currently host refugees would feel the most direct effects.
See how this bill affects you — sign in for a personalized analysisWho Supports & Opposes This
- Border-security advocates They would likely argue the bill adds stronger screening, congressional control, and state input before refugees are admitted. Supporters may see the FBI certification, DHS reporting, and congressional approval requirement as ways to reduce security risks and increase accountability.
- Immigration restriction advocates They may favor the bill’s new inadmissibility standard for people with views deemed incompatible with U.S. principles, along with the limits on parole and refugee resettlement. From their perspective, the bill prioritizes assimilation, public safety, and national sovereignty over broader admissions.
- State officials concerned about local capacity Some state leaders may support the power to reject refugee resettlement in their state. They could argue that local governments should have a say when housing, schools, and social services would be affected by resettlement decisions.
- Refugee resettlement organizations They would likely oppose the bill because it adds multiple new approval layers, monthly reporting, and a state veto that could sharply reduce or delay refugee placements. They may argue this would make the U.S. less able to respond to people fleeing persecution and conflict.
- Civil liberties and immigrant-rights advocates They may object to the new inadmissibility ground based on beliefs, especially the broad language about views “incompatible with the principles of the United States.” They could argue that the standard is vague, risks viewpoint discrimination, and could punish protected speech or religious belief.
- Faith-based refugee sponsors and local resettlement agencies These groups may oppose the bill because it could disrupt existing resettlement partnerships and make planning difficult with monthly federal reporting and possible state disapproval. They may also worry that the bill would reduce family reunification and humanitarian protection opportunities.
Key Implications
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““no refugees may be admitted under this section in a fiscal year until... a joint resolution is enacted””
This gives Congress direct control over the annual refugee ceiling. In practice, refugee admissions could stop until lawmakers pass a resolution, which could delay or reduce arrivals.
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““the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall take all actions necessary””
The FBI would become a required gatekeeper for refugee admissions. Refugees could not be admitted until the FBI certifies the background investigation is sufficient to assess security risk.
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““The Secretary of Homeland Security may not parole into the United States any alien””
This would eliminate DHS’s parole authority for people without immigration status. That could narrow a tool the government uses to allow temporary entry in certain humanitarian or case-specific situations.
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““the chief executive of the State does not accede to the resettlement””
A state governor or other chief executive could block refugee placement in that state. That would shift power away from federal resettlement agencies and could create uneven refugee distribution across states.
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““views incompatible with the principles of the United States””
The bill creates a new inadmissibility standard based on beliefs, including support for religious law over U.S. law or authoritarian government. That could affect how immigration officers evaluate applicants and raises questions about how such beliefs would be screened and interpreted.
Latest Status
January 9, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Will It Pass?
0% estimated chance of becoming law
The bill was introduced in the House on January 9, 2023 by Rep. Matthew M. Rosendale Sr. (R-MT) and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. It has three cosponsors, all from the “other” category in the provided context, and no hearings, markups, or floor action are listed. As an introduced House immigration bill, it is at the earliest stage of the legislative process; historically, bills of this type often remain in committee and do not advance to enactment.
Pass percentages are model estimates and may be inaccurate.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.