Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07) introduced H.R. 3591, the Asylum Accountability Act in the United States House of Representatives. H.R. 3591 improves the integrity of our asylum system by significantly sharpening the penalty for those who fail to appear at their immigration court hearing.

Following introduction of the legislation, Congressman Rouzer released the following statement:

"The Biden Administration's refusal to enforce our immigration laws has led to record-breaking illegal crossings,” said Rep. Rouzer. “Criminals, cartels, and human smugglers have taken advantage of this administration’s policies and turned the asylum process into a get-out-of-jail free card for those crossing the border illegally. Under current law, one who fails to show for their asylum hearing is allowed reentry and other benefits under the asylum law after 10 years. My legislation, the Asylum Accountability Act, will help disincentivize the abuse of this law by permanently barring reentry as well as the other benefits should one not show for their hearing."

Background:

The current surge of crossings at the southern border of the United States is being driven by those intent on abusing our asylum system. Cartels and smugglers have capitalized on illegal immigrants believing they will be able to apply for asylum, abscond from their court hearings, and live in the United States while their case is pending, regardless of the merits of their claim.

Under current law, an illegal immigrant who fails to appear for their immigration court hearing will be deportable and banned from immigration benefits for ten years. According to a recent Government Accountability Office study, nine percent of all illegal immigrants enrolled in Alternatives to Detention ultimately absconded.

The Asylum Accountability Act amends the penalty for absconding from an immigration court hearing to a permanent ban of benefits under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Text of H.R. 3591 can be found here.