Legis Daily

GRACE Act

USA119th CongressHR-6870| House 
| Updated: 12/18/2025
Zoe Lofgren

Zoe Lofgren

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (12)
Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Diana DeGette (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to significantly alter the process for refugee admissions. It establishes a **minimum annual refugee admission goal of 125,000**, requiring the President to determine an annual number that is either justified by humanitarian concerns or national interest, but never below this floor. If the President fails to make such a determination, the admission number automatically defaults to 125,000 for that fiscal year. A key provision introduces a new pathway for refugee admission through **community or private sponsorship**, where non-governmental groups provide initial reception and placement services. In setting admission numbers and regional allocations, the President must consider the **United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNHCR) projected global resettlement needs report**, ensuring that allocations reflect identified global needs or specific humanitarian justifications. To enhance transparency and accountability, the bill mandates **quarterly public reports** on refugee admissions, detailing the number of refugees admitted, their percentage of the annual goal, and regional allocations. Additionally, the President must submit **quarterly reports to Congress** on refugee processing, covering aspects like enhanced security checks, the deployment of Refugee Corps officers for interviews (circuit rides), and average processing times. Should the number of refugees admitted in any quarter fall below 25 percent of the annual goal, the President is required to submit a **plan** outlining procedural or personnel changes to meet the authorized numbers. The bill also provides a detailed definition of "enhanced security check" and clarifies that its provisions do not inhibit the expeditious processing of applications or restrict the Secretary of Homeland Security's existing authority.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3792
GRACE Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-2146
GRACE Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7173
GRACE Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-63
GRACE Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2237
GRACE Act
Dec 17, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3535
Introduced in Senate
Dec 18, 2025
Introduced in House
Dec 18, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3792
    GRACE Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2146
    GRACE Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7173
    GRACE Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-63
    GRACE Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2237
    GRACE Act


  • December 17, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3535
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 18, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • December 18, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 119-3535: GRACE Act

GRACE Act

USA119th CongressHR-6870| House 
| Updated: 12/18/2025
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to significantly alter the process for refugee admissions. It establishes a **minimum annual refugee admission goal of 125,000**, requiring the President to determine an annual number that is either justified by humanitarian concerns or national interest, but never below this floor. If the President fails to make such a determination, the admission number automatically defaults to 125,000 for that fiscal year. A key provision introduces a new pathway for refugee admission through **community or private sponsorship**, where non-governmental groups provide initial reception and placement services. In setting admission numbers and regional allocations, the President must consider the **United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNHCR) projected global resettlement needs report**, ensuring that allocations reflect identified global needs or specific humanitarian justifications. To enhance transparency and accountability, the bill mandates **quarterly public reports** on refugee admissions, detailing the number of refugees admitted, their percentage of the annual goal, and regional allocations. Additionally, the President must submit **quarterly reports to Congress** on refugee processing, covering aspects like enhanced security checks, the deployment of Refugee Corps officers for interviews (circuit rides), and average processing times. Should the number of refugees admitted in any quarter fall below 25 percent of the annual goal, the President is required to submit a **plan** outlining procedural or personnel changes to meet the authorized numbers. The bill also provides a detailed definition of "enhanced security check" and clarifies that its provisions do not inhibit the expeditious processing of applications or restrict the Secretary of Homeland Security's existing authority.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3792
GRACE Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-2146
GRACE Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7173
GRACE Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-63
GRACE Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2237
GRACE Act
Dec 17, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3535
Introduced in Senate
Dec 18, 2025
Introduced in House
Dec 18, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3792
    GRACE Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2146
    GRACE Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7173
    GRACE Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-63
    GRACE Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2237
    GRACE Act


  • December 17, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3535
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 18, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • December 18, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Zoe Lofgren

Zoe Lofgren

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (12)
Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Diana DeGette (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 119-3535: GRACE Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted