US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB57

Introduced
1/3/25  

Caption

Ending Catch and Release Act of 2025

Impact

The proposed changes under HB 57 would mean that asylum seekers cannot be paroled or released into the U.S. and must be either detained or returned to their country of arrival while their claims are processed. This would align with the government's interest in ensuring that asylum applicants do not enter the country while their immigration status is unresolved. The bill also introduces a stated timeframe of 72 hours within which the Secretary of Homeland Security must remove individuals who are not granted parole, further tightening the regulations surrounding detention and processing of asylum claims.

Summary

House Bill 57, titled the 'Ending Catch and Release Act of 2025', proposes significant amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act concerning the handling of asylum applicants at the U.S. border. The bill aims to eliminate the practice of 'catch and release', which allows asylum seekers to be released into the U.S. while they await the processing of their claims. Instead, the bill mandates that asylum applicants be detained and establishes stricter rules regarding their detention and potential return to neighboring countries if they arrive from there.

Contention

The bill has generated significant debate regarding its implications for human rights and functioning of the asylum system in the U.S. Proponents argue it will enhance border security and eliminate the abuses of the catch and release policy, pointing out concerns over potential fraud and misuse of the asylum system by individuals who have no valid claim. In contrast, opponents criticize the bill's approach as overly punitive, fearing it could lead to the denial of due process for many asylum seekers and not considering the humanitarian aspects of their situations, such as fleeing violence or persecution.

Final_note

Overall, HB 57 represents a substantial shift in U.S. immigration policy with potential consequences for future asylum applicants and the broader immigration landscape. The discussions surrounding this bill are reflective of broader national debates about immigration enforcement, border security, and human rights.

Congress_id

119-HR-57

Policy_area

Immigration

Introduced_date

2025-01-03

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SB4291

Catching Up Family Caregivers Act of 2026

US HB8273

Catching Up Family Caregivers Act of 2026

US SB62

America First ActThis bill limits the eligibility of certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) for various federal benefits and grants, makes permanent the child tax credit increase, and requires individuals to provide evidence of satisfactory immigration status prior to receiving specified benefits.The bill prohibits asylees, parolees, and individuals withheld from removal from receiving certain federal benefits, including Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), and Supplemental Security Income. The bill further restricts on the basis of immigration status benefits under federal health programs such as Medicare, emergency disaster relief, housing assistance, food assistance, early childhood assistance, student aid, and Community Development Block Grants.The bill also makes permanent the increase in the child tax credit set to expire at the end of 2025. In addition, this tax credit and the earned income tax credit are not available to asylees, parolees, individuals granted temporary protected status, individuals withheld from removal, individuals granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status, and non-U.S. nationals with employment-based immigrant visas.Federal aid is reduced for elementary and secondary education by 50% annually to jurisdictions that do not assist federal immigration enforcement actions (deemed sanctuary jurisdictions under the bill).The bill also removes statutory exemptions for Haitian entrants that allows such entrants to receive various aid.Certain benefits are prohibited, including Medicaid and SNAP, until an applicant’s satisfactory immigration status is proved.The bill prohibits tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organizations from using federal funds to support certain non-U.S. nationals.

US HB746

America First Act

US HB8443

End H–1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026

US HB116

Stopping Border Surges Act This bill modifies immigration law provisions relating to unaccompanied alien minors and to asylum seekers.The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to repatriate certain unaccompanied, inadmissible alien children, generally those not at risk of being trafficking victims nor having a fear of persecution. Currently, only inadmissible unaccompanied aliens from neighboring countries are subject to repatriation, and DHS has discretion whether to repatriate.When the Department of Health and Human Services releases an unaccompanied child to an individual, it shall provide DHS with certain information about that individual, including Social Security number and immigration status.The bill requires a stricter standard to find a credible fear of persecution and imposes additional rules on credible fear interviews.If an alien is granted asylum because of fear of persecution in a country, the alien shall be deemed to have renounced asylum status by returning to that country, if there has been no change in the country's conditions.The bill also (1) expands the definition of what constitutes a frivolous asylum application, (2) imposes additional limitations on eligibility for asylum, (3) shortens the deadline for applying for asylum, and (4) extends the time period an alien seeking asylum must wait before receiving employment authorization.Any individual who knowingly and willfully makes materially false statements or uses fraudulent documents in asylum-related proceedings shall be fined or imprisoned up to 10 years, or both.

US HB4393

DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act of 2025 Dignity for Immigrants while Guarding our Nation to Ignite and Deliver the American Dream Act of 2025 Dream Act Legal Workforce Act American Prosperity and Competitiveness Act

US HB16

Stopping Border Surges Act

US SB2928

H–1B and L–1 Visa Reform Act of 2025

US HB3724

No Amnesty for Hamas Sympathizers Act

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.