Bill · S. 225· Senate(119-S-225)
End Unaccountable Amnesty Act
- Introduced
- 1/23/2025
- Last activity
- 1/23/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Jim Banks
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "End Unaccountable Amnesty Act" seeks to reform the Immigration and Nationality Act by overhauling Temporary Protected Status and parole authorities. It implements stricter requirements for designating foreign states for protected status, limiting those designations to 12-month periods. The bill also changes rules regarding the repatriation and custody of unaccompanied alien children. Additionally, it repeals the cancellation of removal and restricts the use of certain identification documents for air travel. Finally, it introduces significant reforms to the immigration parole system, limiting its scope and duration.
Yes
No question was scored yes.
The opposite· 3 of 5
Would immigrants be better off under this?-8
The bill restricts Temporary Protected Status duration, limits immigration parole eligibility, and repeals the cancellation of removal.
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?-7
The bill repeals the cancellation of removal, which is a key pathway for adjusting immigration status.
Would children be better off under this?-6
The bill implements stricter requirements for special immigrant juvenile status and mandates the transfer of custody for unaccompanied children who do not meet specific criteria.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Stricter Temporary Protected Status Controls: Under Section 2, the bill requires specific findings—such as ongoing armed conflict or life-threatening environmental disasters—before a foreign state can be designated, and limits these designations to a maximum of 12 months. This establishes more defined criteria for status.
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Enhanced Information Sharing for Child Safety: Section 3(a)(1)(C)(i) requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide specific information, including names and social security numbers, regarding individuals with whom unaccompanied children are placed. This is intended to assist the Secretary of Homeland Security in initiating removal proceedings if the individual is unlawfully present.
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Defined Criteria for Urgent Humanitarian Parole: Section 6(a)(E) narrows the definition of "urgent humanitarian reasons" to specific circumstances, such as medical emergencies, the death of a close family member, or organ/tissue donation, providing clearer guidelines for parole eligibility.
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Protection for Specific Parole Groups: Section 6(a)(B) explicitly allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant parole to certain groups, including spouses or children of members of the Armed Forces on active duty and specific Cuban nationals, providing a clear path for these individuals.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Removal Actions for Families: Section 3(a)(1)(C)(ii) mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security initiate removal proceedings if they determine an individual with whom an unaccompanied child is placed is unlawfully present in the United States.
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Stricter Standards for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Section 3(b) amends the requirements for special immigrant status, stating that an alien may not be granted this status if their reunification with a parent or legal guardian is not precluded by abuse, neglect, abandonment, or similar causes under State law.
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Travel Restrictions Due to Identification Changes: Section 5 prohibits the use of certain documents, such as the CBP One Mobile Application or a notice to appear, as valid proof of identification at airport security checkpoints, which may impact travel for those relying on them.
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Restrictions on Parole Duration and Employment: Section 6(a)(I) states that an alien granted parole may not accept employment, with specific exceptions for those paroled under sections (B) or (C). Furthermore, Section 6(a)(K)(i) limits the duration of most parole grants to a maximum of one year.
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Loss of Benefits via Repeal: Section 4 repeals the "Cancellation of Removal" provision from the Immigration and Nationality Act, which removes a specific avenue for adjusting immigration status.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants-8Good For Children-6Good For Hispanic Americans-5Good For Low Income Households-4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Pathway To Citizenship-7
- 1/23/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
Mike LeeRepublican · Utah