Border and Refugee Assistance Act of 2019

I 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 2347 To expand in-country processing of family units and minors in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador to provide relief to the southern border and uphold access to humanitarian protection consistent with U.S. laws. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APRIL 18, 2019 Mr. VELA (for himself, Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas, and Mr. CUELLAR) intro- duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Ju- diciary A BILL To expand in-country processing of family units and minors in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador to provide relief to the southern border and uphold access to hu- manitarian protection consistent with U.S. laws. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Border and Refugee 4 Assistance Act of 2019’’. 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:48 Apr 19, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2347.IH H2347 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 HR 2347 IH SEC. 2. NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE ASSISTANCE STRAT- 1 EGY. 2 It is the sense of Congress that a multifaceted U.S. 3 response is needed to address the humanitarian crisis in 4 the Northern Triangle. Such a response must include U.S. 5 investment in the Northern Triangle aimed at improving 6 governance, enhancing security, and promoting prosperity 7 in the region as well as investments in the U.S. Depart- 8 ment of State’s Refugee Processing Center, USCIS Asy- 9 lum Division, and U.S. Immigration Courts to uphold ac- 10 cess to humanitarian protection consistent with U.S. law 11 and international standards. In-country processing of ref- 12 ugee claims is only one component of a comprehensive 13 strategy, aimed at providing increased economic and secu- 14 rity conditions in the Northern Triangle. 15 SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF IN-COUNTRY PROCESSING. 16 Notwithstanding any other provision of law: 17 (a) The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Sec- 18 retary of State shall work together to expand in-country 19 refugee processing centers within Northern Triangle coun- 20 tries to accept applications from family units and minors 21 in order to provide a safe and orderly process for proc- 22 essing claims and ensuring humanitarian protection. 23 (b) Victims of domestic violence and gangs are eligi- 24 ble to qualify for refugee protections. 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:48 Apr 19, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2347.IH H2347 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 HR 2347 IH (c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 1 are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 2 necessary to implement section 3. 3 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:48 Apr 19, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H2347.IH H2347 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS