To improve immigration adjudicatory capacity, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · September 29, 2023
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.
The SAFER Act aims to expedite immigration removal proceedings by making it harder for asylum seekers to pass initial credibility assessments. The bill raises the standard for "credible fear" interviews, requiring immigration officers to determine it is "more likely than not" that an applicant could establish asylum eligibility, a higher threshold than the current standard. The legislation also directs the Attorney General to prioritize removal cases during periods of high irregular migration and requires hiring at least 150 additional immigration judges and support staff to process cases faster. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Secretary of State to negotiate agreements with Mexico, Central American countries, and other Western Hemisphere nations to cooperate on immigration enforcement and deportations. The bill does not specify funding amounts but authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" for hiring judges and diplomatic efforts, with reporting requirements to Congress at 90 and 180 days after enactment.
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