H.R.696 - End Unaccountable Amnesty Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 696, the "End Unaccountable Amnesty Act," aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act, primarily focusing on reforming temporary protected status (TPS), unaccompanied alien children policies, cancellation of removal processes, acceptable identification documents for air travel, and immigration parole. The bill seeks to place more restrictions and limitations on current immigration policies and practices.
Specifically, it shifts the power to designate a foreign state for TPS from the Attorney General to Congress, limits the duration and extension of TPS designations, and restricts parole authority. Additionally, the bill modifies procedures for unaccompanied alien children, repeals cancellation of removal, and prohibits certain identification documents for air travel.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R. 696 would significantly alter several aspects of immigration law and enforcement. The changes to TPS would make it more difficult for the executive branch to grant and extend protected status, requiring congressional action.
The modifications to unaccompanied alien children policies aim to expedite repatriation and increase information sharing between agencies. The repeal of cancellation of removal would eliminate a pathway to legal status for some undocumented immigrants, and the restrictions on acceptable identification documents for air travel could disproportionately affect certain populations.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced border security through stricter identification requirements for air travel.
- Reduced potential for abuse of the immigration parole system.
- Increased congressional oversight of temporary protected status designations.
- More rapid repatriation of unaccompanied alien children who do not meet specific criteria.
- Potential reduction in long-term costs associated with undocumented immigrants.
Potential Disadvantages
- More difficult for individuals from countries experiencing conflict or disaster to obtain temporary protected status.
- Increased risk of deporting individuals who have established strong ties to the United States.
- Potential for increased strain on resources due to expedited repatriation processes.
- Possible negative impact on family reunification.
- Could be perceived as discriminatory towards certain immigrant groups.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's provisions related to immigration fall under the plenary power of Congress to regulate immigration, as established in Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 of the Constitution. The changes to TPS designation could be seen as reinforcing congressional authority over immigration policy.
However, some provisions, particularly those affecting unaccompanied alien children and due process, could raise concerns under the Fifth Amendment. The severability clause in Section 6(d) attempts to mitigate potential constitutional challenges by ensuring that if one part of the bill is deemed unconstitutional, the rest can still stand.
Overall, the constitutionality of the bill would likely be subject to judicial review, especially concerning individual rights and due process considerations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).