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Secure and Protect Act of 2019

USA116th CongressS-1494| Senate 
| Updated: 8/16/2019
Lindsey Graham

Lindsey Graham

Republican Senator

South Carolina

Cosponsors (1)
Martha McSally (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Secure and Protect Act of 2019 This bill makes changes to the handling of unaccompanied alien children and asylum applications. The Flores settlement (a court settlement imposing conditions on the treatment of detained alien minors) shall not restrict any activities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall have sole discretion as to detention standards of alien minors. Statutory provisions governing the handling of unaccompanied alien children from U.S.-bordering countries shall now govern all unaccompanied alien children. The bill provides for requirements relating to the handling of such alien children. Certain immigration officer determinations relating to unaccompanied alien children shall be unreviewable. DHS may detain accompanied alien children pending the completion of removal proceedings (some courts have ruled that Flores limits the detention of certain alien children to 20 days). States may not impose licensing requirements for family detention facilities. An unaccompanied alien child shall not be released from custody while immigration or removal proceedings are pending, with some exceptions. The bill limits asylum eligibility to aliens entering the United States at a designated port of entry and provides for additional grounds for asylum ineligibility. A credible fear of persecution is redefined to mean that it is more likely than not that the alien would be able to establish eligibility for asylum. The Department of State shall establish refugee application and processing centers in Mexico and Central America. The bill requires the hiring of additional immigration judges, support staff, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorneys.

Bill Text Versions

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2 versions available

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Timeline
May 15, 2019
Introduced in Senate
May 15, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Jun 11, 2019
Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.
Aug 1, 2019
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Aug 16, 2019
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Graham under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/01/2019 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Aug 16, 2019
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 181.
  • May 15, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 15, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • June 11, 2019
    Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.


  • August 1, 2019
    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • August 16, 2019
    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Graham under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/01/2019 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • August 16, 2019
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 181.

Immigration

Administrative remediesBorder security and unlawful immigrationChild healthChild safety and welfareCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDepartment of Homeland SecurityDetention of personsEmergency medical services and trauma careEspionage and treasonFamily relationshipsFederal preemptionGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyImmigrant health and welfareImmigration status and proceduresJudgesJudicial procedure and administrationJudicial review and appealsLawyers and legal servicesLicensing and registrationsMental healthOrgan and tissue donation and transplantationRefugees, asylum, displaced personsSpecialized courtsState and local government operationsSurgery and anesthesiaVisas and passports

Secure and Protect Act of 2019

USA116th CongressS-1494| Senate 
| Updated: 8/16/2019
Secure and Protect Act of 2019 This bill makes changes to the handling of unaccompanied alien children and asylum applications. The Flores settlement (a court settlement imposing conditions on the treatment of detained alien minors) shall not restrict any activities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall have sole discretion as to detention standards of alien minors. Statutory provisions governing the handling of unaccompanied alien children from U.S.-bordering countries shall now govern all unaccompanied alien children. The bill provides for requirements relating to the handling of such alien children. Certain immigration officer determinations relating to unaccompanied alien children shall be unreviewable. DHS may detain accompanied alien children pending the completion of removal proceedings (some courts have ruled that Flores limits the detention of certain alien children to 20 days). States may not impose licensing requirements for family detention facilities. An unaccompanied alien child shall not be released from custody while immigration or removal proceedings are pending, with some exceptions. The bill limits asylum eligibility to aliens entering the United States at a designated port of entry and provides for additional grounds for asylum ineligibility. A credible fear of persecution is redefined to mean that it is more likely than not that the alien would be able to establish eligibility for asylum. The Department of State shall establish refugee application and processing centers in Mexico and Central America. The bill requires the hiring of additional immigration judges, support staff, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorneys.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 15, 2019
Introduced in Senate
May 15, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Jun 11, 2019
Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.
Aug 1, 2019
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Aug 16, 2019
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Graham under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/01/2019 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Aug 16, 2019
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 181.
  • May 15, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 15, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • June 11, 2019
    Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.


  • August 1, 2019
    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • August 16, 2019
    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Graham under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/01/2019 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • August 16, 2019
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 181.
Lindsey Graham

Lindsey Graham

Republican Senator

South Carolina

Cosponsors (1)
Martha McSally (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesBorder security and unlawful immigrationChild healthChild safety and welfareCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDepartment of Homeland SecurityDetention of personsEmergency medical services and trauma careEspionage and treasonFamily relationshipsFederal preemptionGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyImmigrant health and welfareImmigration status and proceduresJudgesJudicial procedure and administrationJudicial review and appealsLawyers and legal servicesLicensing and registrationsMental healthOrgan and tissue donation and transplantationRefugees, asylum, displaced personsSpecialized courtsState and local government operationsSurgery and anesthesiaVisas and passports