Overview
Title
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the President to set a minimum annual goal for the number of refugees to be admitted, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants the President to make sure that at least 125,000 people who need help from other countries can come to live in the United States every year, and it also asks for clear rules and reports about how this is done.
Summary AI
The bill S. 3714 aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to ensure the President sets a minimum annual goal for refugee admissions to the United States. It specifies that at least 125,000 refugees should be admitted each fiscal year, and outlines detailed reporting requirements for the government on the number of refugees admitted and other related activities. The bill also puts a requirement for regional allocations and necessitates plans for changes needed to meet the refugee admission goals, while ensuring no delays in refugee processing.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary
The "Guaranteed Refugee Admission Ceiling Enhancement Act," also known as the GRACE Act, proposes amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act. The key focus of this bill is to set a minimum number of refugees admitted to the United States annually at 125,000. It mandates that the President makes determinations about this number based on humanitarian concerns or national interest. Additionally, the bill requires the federal government to submit quarterly reports on refugee admissions to provide transparency and oversight.
Significant Issues
One notable issue is the ambiguity around the President's discretion in determining the ceiling for refugee admissions. The phrase "such number as the President determines" provides significant leeway, which might lead to concerns over the extent of executive power in this realm. Moreover, while the bill stipulates a required number, it lacks specific timelines or deadlines for the President and other government bodies to finalize these refugee admission numbers. This could hinder effective planning and execution.
The bill also has provisions that allow for an unallocated reserve for regional needs. The Secretary of State can activate this reserve by merely notifying relevant committees without needing explicit approval, possibly raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
The requirement for comprehensive quarterly reports could impose administrative challenges, as the granularity of the data required might strain government resources.
Impact on the Public
Broadly speaking, the GRACE Act aims to ensure that the United States remains a pivotal player in global humanitarian efforts by maintaining a steady intake of refugees. If enacted, it could solidify commitments to international refugee resettlement and offer refuge to many in dire need. This humanitarian approach may bolster the country's global image and affirm its role as a leader in addressing international crises.
From a logistical perspective, implementing this bill could require adjustments in resource allocation, impacting taxpayers and the efficiency of the refugee processing system.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The bill directly affects refugee applicants by potentially increasing the number of individuals given safe harbor in the U.S. every year. Humanitarian organizations and advocacy groups might view this legislation positively as it aligns with international humanitarian commitments. This could also enhance cooperation between U.S. agencies and international bodies like the United Nations.
However, government agencies tasked with implementing these changes might face increased logistical demands and administrative burdens due to the necessity for detailed reporting. Furthermore, the broad discretion granted to the President can evoke mixed reactions from political stakeholders depending on their viewpoints on executive authority.
In essence, while the GRACE Act underscores a commitment to global humanitarian efforts, it also presents challenges and opportunities in terms of administration, transparency, and the discretionary powers it vests in the executive branch.
Issues
The ambiguity of the phrase 'such number as the President determines' in Section 2, subsection (a)(1), might lead to concerns about the extensive discretion and potential uncertainty in refugee ceiling determinations, raising political and legal discussions about executive authority over refugee admissions.
The lack of specific deadlines or guidelines for when the President or government bodies must make refugee admission determinations, as noted in Section 2, could lead to planning and execution challenges, impacting the systematic management of refugee admissions.
The provision in Section 2, subsection (a)(6)(B), allowing the Secretary of State to use the unallocated reserve after merely notifying the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, without requiring approval, could raise concerns about transparency and oversight, which are significant for ethical and governance reasons.
The requirement for detailed quarterly reports in Section 2, subsection (g), might present an administrative burden on governmental resources, leading to financial concerns regarding resource allocation and the necessity for such extensive metrics.
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 section states that this law is called the “Guaranteed Refugee Admission Ceiling Enhancement Act” or the “GRACE Act.”
2. Admission of refugees Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The amendment to Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act sets a minimum annual refugee admission number at 125,000, allows the President to adjust this based on humanitarian or national interest concerns, and mandates quarterly reports to Congress on refugee admissions and related activities to ensure transparency and accountability. It also outlines considerations for regional allocations, processing times, and planning for future admissions, while clarifying that the changes should not delay the processing of refugee and asylum applications.