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Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act

USA119th CongressHR-2349| House 
| Updated: 3/25/2025
Suhas Subramanyam

Suhas Subramanyam

Democratic Representative

Virginia

Cosponsors (19)
Mikie Sherrill (Democratic)Zachary Nunn (Republican)James R. Walkinshaw (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican)André Carson (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Gregory W. Meeks (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Brad Sherman (Democratic)Donald S. Beyer (Democratic)Seth Magaziner (Democratic)Sarah McBride (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Gerald E. Connolly (Democratic)

Foreign Affairs Committee, Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill aims to protect residents of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) by designating them as Priority 2 refugees of special humanitarian concern within the U.S. refugee resettlement program. This designation applies to individuals who have suffered or fear persecution due to their peaceful expression of political, religious, or cultural beliefs and activities by the Chinese government. The legislation also extends this protection to their spouses, children, and parents, acknowledging the systemic human rights violations detailed in the bill's findings. The bill outlines specific provisions to facilitate the refugee and asylum process for these individuals. It allows for processing in China or a third country and ensures that eligibility for refugee admission is not denied solely because an applicant qualifies for other immigration categories or is an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen. Crucially, the bill waives the presumption that every alien is an immigrant for certain XUAR residents seeking asylum, and clarifies that applying for U.S. immigration benefits does not imply an intention to abandon foreign residence. Furthermore, the legislation exempts these refugees from numerical limitations typically applied to immigrant visas, aiming to expedite their resettlement. It mandates that the Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security submit regular reports detailing application numbers, wait times, and denial reasons. The bill also establishes a policy to encourage U.S. allies and partners to make similar accommodations for XUAR residents fleeing oppression, and its provisions are set to terminate after 10 years.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-1630
Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3934
Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 25, 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-1630
    Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3934
    Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act


  • March 25, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 25, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Immigration

Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act

USA119th CongressHR-2349| House 
| Updated: 3/25/2025
This bill aims to protect residents of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) by designating them as Priority 2 refugees of special humanitarian concern within the U.S. refugee resettlement program. This designation applies to individuals who have suffered or fear persecution due to their peaceful expression of political, religious, or cultural beliefs and activities by the Chinese government. The legislation also extends this protection to their spouses, children, and parents, acknowledging the systemic human rights violations detailed in the bill's findings. The bill outlines specific provisions to facilitate the refugee and asylum process for these individuals. It allows for processing in China or a third country and ensures that eligibility for refugee admission is not denied solely because an applicant qualifies for other immigration categories or is an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen. Crucially, the bill waives the presumption that every alien is an immigrant for certain XUAR residents seeking asylum, and clarifies that applying for U.S. immigration benefits does not imply an intention to abandon foreign residence. Furthermore, the legislation exempts these refugees from numerical limitations typically applied to immigrant visas, aiming to expedite their resettlement. It mandates that the Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security submit regular reports detailing application numbers, wait times, and denial reasons. The bill also establishes a policy to encourage U.S. allies and partners to make similar accommodations for XUAR residents fleeing oppression, and its provisions are set to terminate after 10 years.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-1630
Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3934
Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 25, 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-1630
    Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3934
    Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act


  • March 25, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 25, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Suhas Subramanyam

Suhas Subramanyam

Democratic Representative

Virginia

Cosponsors (19)
Mikie Sherrill (Democratic)Zachary Nunn (Republican)James R. Walkinshaw (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican)André Carson (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Gregory W. Meeks (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Brad Sherman (Democratic)Donald S. Beyer (Democratic)Seth Magaziner (Democratic)Sarah McBride (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Gerald E. Connolly (Democratic)

Foreign Affairs Committee, Judiciary Committee

Immigration

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted