No Tax Dollars for the United Nation’s Immigration Invasion Act
Impact
If enacted, HB552 would significantly impact U.S. foreign policy and international relations, limiting the federal government's ability to fund operations that support refugees and migrants. Advocates of the bill argue that such funding is a misuse of taxpayer dollars, particularly in light of domestic immigration challenges. The legislation calls for a comprehensive study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to identify existing federal assistance programs that make contributions to these organizations and assess the total financial contributions made in recent fiscal years.
Summary
House Bill 552, titled the 'No Tax Dollars for the United Nation's Immigration Invasion Act,' seeks to prohibit federal contributions to three key United Nations organizations: the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Introduced by Mr. Gooden of Texas along with several co-sponsors, the bill reflects a growing sentiment among some legislators to reevaluate the United States’ financial commitments to international organizations, particularly those involved in immigration issues.
Contention
The bill raises significant concerns from various stakeholders, particularly humanitarian organizations that rely on these funds to aid displaced populations worldwide. Supporters of HB552 primarily focus on national priorities and express fear that financial contributions to international bodies may detract from domestic needs. Conversely, critics argue that withdrawing funding could exacerbate global humanitarian crises and undermine U.S. leadership in addressing issues of displacement and migration, potentially leading to increased instability in regions affected by these crises.
Reaffirming the partnership between the United States and the Dominican Republic and advancing opportunities to deepen diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation between the two nations.
Secure the Border Act of 2023 This bill addresses issues regarding immigration and border security, including by imposing limits to asylum eligibility. For example, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume activities to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border; provides statutory authorization for Operation Stonegarden, which provides grants to law enforcement agencies for certain border security operations; prohibits DHS from processing the entry of non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) arriving between ports of entry; limits asylum eligibility to non-U.S. nationals who arrive in the United States at a port of entry; authorizes the removal of a non-U.S. national to a country other than that individual's country of nationality or last lawful habitual residence, whereas currently this type of removal may only be to a country that has an agreement with the United States for such removal; expands the types of crimes that may make an individual ineligible for asylum, such as a conviction for driving while intoxicated causing another person's serious bodily injury or death; authorizes DHS to suspend the introduction of certain non-U.S. nationals at an international border if DHS determines that the suspension is necessary to achieve operational control of that border; prohibits states from imposing licensing requirements on immigration detention facilities used to detain minors; authorizes immigration officers to permit an unaccompanied alien child to withdraw their application for admission into the United States even if the child is unable to make an independent decision to withdraw the application; imposes additional penalties for overstaying a visa; and requires DHS to create an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after the E-Verify system and requires all employers to use the system.
Victims Of Immigration Crime Engagement Restoration Act or the VOICE Restoration Act This bill establishes the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The office shall provide assistance to victims of crimes committed by non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) who are present in the United States without lawful immigration status.
This bill grants exclusive jurisdiction to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia over (1) cases arising under immigration laws, or (2) claims by foreign nationals challenging an order of removal or another action authorized under the Immigration and Nationality Act.