Overview
Title
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to publish on a monthly basis the number of special interest aliens encountered attempting to unlawfully enter the United States, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2024 asks the Homeland Security boss to tell everyone each month how many people from certain countries tried to sneak into the U.S. and where they tried to do it, like at the airport or the beach, to help keep the country safe.
Summary AI
H.R. 275, known as the "Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2024," requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to release a monthly report on special interest aliens who attempt to unlawfully enter the United States. These reports, submitted both to Congress and published online, must include the total number of such encounters, details on where these encounters occurred (land, air, sea ports, or elsewhere), and the nationalities or countries the individuals are from. The bill specifies that a "special interest alien" is someone who may pose a national security risk to the U.S. based on their travel patterns.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2024, seeks to enhance transparency regarding immigration matters, specifically those involving individuals classified as "special interest aliens." Introduced in the House of Representatives, the bill mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to regularly release data related to encounters with these individuals who attempt to unlawfully enter the United States. A monthly report must detail not only the total number and nationalities of these individuals but also categorize the encounter locations (land, air, or sea) and identify if these individuals come from countries deemed to be "covered nations" due to potential security concerns.
Summary of Significant Issues
One of the primary issues with the bill is the vague nature of the term "special interest alien" as defined in the bill. This term could potentially lead to inconsistent application or misuse due to the lack of specific criteria outlining what constitutes a national security risk. Furthermore, the bill lacks specificity on how the data should be formatted when published, which could result in inconsistencies that impair the reliability and comparability of the reports. Another notable concern is the omission of clear guidelines to protect the privacy of the individuals identified in these reports. This could lead to confidentiality breaches and raise ethical concerns related to the handling of sensitive personal information.
Impact on the Public
The broad impact of this bill on the public can be seen through the lens of transparency and security. By providing monthly insights into attempts to unlawfully enter the United States, the public could gain a better understanding of immigration trends and potential security threats. However, the lack of clear definitions and protections could also lead to widespread confusion and concern about the treatment of individuals classified under this broad term, potentially impacting civil liberties and personal privacy.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The legislation's effects on stakeholders vary. For government agencies, particularly the Department of Homeland Security, the requirement to publish detailed monthly reports may impose an administrative burden and necessitate the development of new procedures to ensure data consistency and protection. For individuals identified as special interest aliens, there are significant negative implications related to privacy and potential stigmatization due to the bill's vague definitions and lack of confidentiality safeguards. Community and civil rights organizations may also be affected, likely raising concerns over civil liberties and the potential for misuse or overreach in the designation of individuals as security risks. Overall, while the bill aims to increase transparency and address security concerns, the lack of clarity and privacy measures could lead to broader societal and ethical consequences.
Issues
The term 'special interest alien' as defined in Section 2(b)(3) is vague and may require additional clarification on what specific criteria are used to determine a national security risk. This lack of specificity could lead to inconsistent application or potential misuse, impacting civil liberties and raising ethical concerns.
Section 2(a) mandates publication of data relating to the number of special interest aliens and their nationalities or countries of last habitual residence without providing a clear framework or guideline for ensuring the privacy or anonymity of individuals. This could raise confidentiality concerns and potential breaches of privacy.
The specification for the data report format in Section 2(a) is not detailed, potentially leading to inconsistencies in how data is presented across different reports. This lack of standardization could affect the reliability and comparability of the published data, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2024 is the designated name for this piece of legislation.
2. Publication by the Department of Homeland Security of the number of special interest aliens encountered attempting to unlawfully enter the United States Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Department of Homeland Security must publish a monthly report showing the number of special interest aliens, including their nationalities, who were encountered trying to illegally enter the U.S. The report should break down these encounters by where they happened (such as at land, air, or sea entry points) and identify any nationalities from countries considered to be covered nations, meaning they might pose security risks.