The SECURE America Act would make major changes to how the United States admits refugees and certain immigrants. Right now, the President decides each year how many refugees can enter the country, but this bill would require Congress to vote and approve that number instead. Before the government can declare that any group of people is eligible to become refugees, it would have to give Congress 30 days' notice, and Congress could block the decision if it wanted to.

The bill also creates new reasons to keep people out of the country based on their beliefs. Someone could be denied entry if they believe religious law should be used in America, if they don't think they need to learn English, or if the State Department decides their beliefs don't match American principles. Additionally, states would get veto power over refugee resettlement—the government would have to notify states 30 days before placing refugees there, and states could refuse to accept them.

Finally, the bill would eliminate the government's current ability to let people into the country temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons, and it would make sure that anyone who committed a violent crime cannot become a refugee and must be removed from the country. Overall, this bill would give Congress and individual states much more control over immigration decisions, while making it harder for people to be admitted based on their personal beliefs.

SECURE America Act

Rosendale, Matthew M.

Safeguards Ensuring Criminal and Unvetted Refugees don't Enter America Act or the SECURE America Act This bill imposes restrictions on the admission of aliens, including refugees, and addresses related issues. Specifically, no refugees may be admitted until Congress enacts a joint resolution setting the maximum number of refugees allowed to be admitted in a particular fiscal year. Currently, that number is set each fiscal year by the President. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must notify Congress at least 30 days before determining that an alien or class of aliens is eligible for refugee status. Congress may nullify the determination by enacting a joint resolution of disapproval. Further, an alien shall be inadmissible for holding certain beliefs, such as (1) believing that a system of religious law should be implemented in the United States, (2) believing that the alien does not need to learn English if the alien is not already fluent, or (3) any belief that the Department of State determines is incompatible with the principles of the United States. DHS may not parole into the United States an alien who does not have status under immigration law. Currently, DHS may provide parole in certain instances, including for urgent humanitarian reasons. Federal agencies must notify a state at least 30 days before resettling a refugee in that state. The refugee may not be resettled in that state if the state expresses disapproval. An alien who has committed a crime of violence (generally one involving the use or threat of physical violence against person or property) may not be eligible for refugee status and must be removed.