(5) REFUGEES
OF
SPECIAL
HUMANITARIAN 
CONCERN.—For the purposes of this section, refu-
gees of special humanitarian concern to the United 
States shall include individuals who have suffered, or 
have a well-founded fear of suffering— 
(A) domestic, sexual, or other forms of 
gender-based violence, including persecution 
based on sexual orientation or gender identity; 
(B) violence, extortion, or other forms of 
persecution (including forced recruitment) com-
mitted by gangs or other organized criminal or-
ganizations; 
(C) a severe form of trafficking in persons; 
or 
(D) other serious human rights abuses. 
(6) SPOUSES
AND
MINOR
CHILDREN.—The 
spouse or child of any applicant who qualifies for ad-
mission under section 207(c) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act shall be granted the same status as 
the applicant if accompanying or following to join 
such applicant, consistent with such section. 
(7) REFUGEE STATUS.—An individual who is 
admitted to the United States as a refugee under 
this section shall enjoy the same rights and privi-
leges and shall be subject to the same grounds for 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00043
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
termination of refugee status as provided in sections 
207 and 209 of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act. 
(8) FEES.—No fee shall be imposed for the fil-
ing, processing, or adjudication of an application 
under this section. 
(d) OPTIONAL REFERRAL TO OTHER COUNTRIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding subsection 
(b), an applicant for refugee resettlement under this 
section may be referred to another country for the 
processing of the applicant’s refugee claim if— 
(A) another country agrees to immediately 
process the applicant’s refugee claim in accord-
ance with the terms and procedures of a bilat-
eral agreement under paragraph (2); and 
(B) the applicant lacks substantial ties to 
the United States as defined in paragraph (3) 
or requests resettlement to a country other than 
the United States. 
(2) BILATERAL AGREEMENTS FOR REFERRAL 
OF REFUGEES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland 
Security, shall enter into bilateral agreements 
with other countries for the referral, processing, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
and resettlement of individuals who register 
with a Designated Processing Center and seek 
to apply for refugee resettlement under this sec-
tion. Such agreements shall be limited to coun-
tries with the demonstrated capacity to accept 
and adjudicate applications for refugee status, 
and other forms of international protection, and 
resettle refugees consistent with obligations 
under the 1951 United Nations Convention Re-
lating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 
United Nations Protocol Relating to the Status 
of Refugees. 
(B) INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS.— 
The Secretary of State, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, shall enter 
into agreements with international organiza-
tions, including the United Nations High Com-
missioner for Refugees, to facilitate the referral, 
processing, and resettlement of individuals cov-
ered under this paragraph. 
(3) SUBSTANTIAL
TIES
DEFINED.—An indi-
vidual has substantial ties to the United States if 
the individual— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
(A) has a spouse, parent, son, daughter, 
sibling, grandparent, aunt, or uncle who resides 
in the United States; 
(B) can demonstrate previous residence in 
the United States for not less than 2 years; or 
(C) can otherwise demonstrate substantial 
ties to the United States as defined by the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security. 
(e) EMERGENCY RELOCATION COORDINATION.—The 
Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Homeland Security, shall enter into bilateral or multilat-
eral agreements with other Western Hemisphere countries 
to establish safe and secure emergency transit centers for 
individuals who register at a Designated Processing Cen-
ter, are deemed to face an imminent risk of harm, and 
require temporary placement in a safe location pending 
a final decision on an application under this section. Such 
agreements shall be developed in consultation with the 
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and 
shall conform to international humanitarian standards. 
(f) EXPANSION OF REFUGEE CORPS.—Not later than 
60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
subject to the availability of amounts provided in advance 
in appropriation Acts, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
shall appoint additional refugee officers as may be nec-
essary to carry out this section. 
SEC. 304. CENTRAL AMERICAN MINORS PROGRAM. 
(a) ELIGIBILITY.—If it is determined as a result of 
the assessment under section 302(b) that an alien is eligi-
ble for special immigrant status in accordance with this 
subsection, the Designated Processing Center shall accept 
a petition for such status filed by the alien, or on behalf 
of the alien by a parent or legal guardian, and, subject 
to subsection (d) and notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide 
the alien with status as a special immigrant under section 
101(a)(27) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. An 
alien shall be eligible under this subsection if the alien— 
(1) is a national of El Salvador, Honduras, or 
Guatemala; 
(2) is an unmarried child (as defined in section 
101(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act) 
of an individual who is lawfully present in the 
United States; 
(3) is otherwise eligible to receive an immigrant 
visa; and 
(4) is otherwise admissible to the United States 
(excluding the grounds of inadmissibility specified in 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00047
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nation-
ality Act). 
(b) MINOR CHILDREN.—Any child (as defined in sec-
tion 101(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act) 
of an alien described in subsection (b) is entitled to the 
same special immigrant status if accompanying or fol-
lowing to join the alien. 
(c) NUMERICAL LIMITATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The total number of aliens 
who may be provided special immigrant status under 
this section may not exceed 10,000 per year for the 
fiscal year during which at least one Designated 
Processing Center commences operations, and for 
each of the four fiscal years that immediately follow. 
(2) EXCLUSION
FROM
NUMERICAL
LIMITA-
TIONS.—Aliens provided special immigrant status 
under this section shall not be counted against any 
numerical limitation under section 201, 202, or 203 
of the Immigration and Nationality Act. 
(3) CARRY FORWARD.—If the numerical limita-
tion under paragraph (1) is not reached during a 
given fiscal year, the numerical limitation under 
such paragraph for the following fiscal year shall be 
increased by a number equal to the difference be-
tween— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
(A) the total number of aliens provided 
special immigrant status under paragraph (1) 
for the given fiscal year; and 
(B) the number of aliens provided special 
immigrant status under this section during the 
given fiscal year. 
(d) PETITION AND ADJUDICATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Absent exceptional cir-
cumstances, an eligible alien shall be permitted to 
submit a petition for special immigrant status under 
this section up to 90 days after the date the alien 
was determined to be eligible for such status. 
(2) ADJUDICATION DEADLINES.—Absent excep-
tional circumstances, petitions submitted under this 
section shall be adjudicated not later than 180 days 
after submission. 
(3) APPLICANTS
UNDER
PRIOR
CAM
PRO-
GRAM.—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
deem an application filed under the Central Amer-
ican Minors Refugee Program, established on De-
cember 1, 2014 and terminated on August 16, 2017, 
and which was not the subject of a final disposition 
prior to January 31, 2018, to be a petition filed 
under this section. Absent exceptional circumstances, 
the Secretary shall make a final determination on 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
such petitions not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act. The Secretary shall 
promptly notify all relevant parties of the conversion 
of a CAM application into a special immigrant peti-
tion, and shall provide instructions for withdrawal of 
the petition if the alien no longer wishes to proceed 
with the requested relief. 
(4) BIOMETRICS AND BACKGROUND CHECKS.— 
(A) SUBMISSION OF BIOMETRIC AND BIO-
GRAPHIC DATA.—Petitioners for special immi-
grant status under this section shall be required 
to submit biometric and biographic data in ac-
cordance with procedures established by the As-
sistant Director of Regional Processing. The 
Assistant Director shall provide an alternative 
procedure for applicants who are unable to pro-
vide all required biometric data due to a phys-
ical or mental impairment. 
(B) BACKGROUND
CHECKS.—The Assist-
ant Director of Regional Processing shall utilize 
biometric, biographic, and other appropriate 
data to conduct security and law enforcement 
background checks of petitioners to determine 
whether there is any criminal, national security, 
or other ground that would render the applicant 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
ineligible for special immigrant status under 
this section. 
(C) 
COMPLETION
OF
BACKGROUND 
CHECKS.—The security and law enforcement 
background checks required under subpara-
graph (B) shall be completed, to the satisfac-
tion of the Assistant Director of Regional Proc-
essing, before the date on which a petition for 
special immigrant status under this section may 
be approved. 
SEC. 305. CENTRAL AMERICAN FAMILY REUNIFICATION PA-
ROLE PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—If it is determined as a result of 
the assessment under section 302(b) that an alien is eligi-
ble for parole in accordance with this subsection, the Des-
ignated Processing Center shall accept a completed appli-
cation for parole filed by the alien, or on behalf of the 
alien by a parent or legal guardian, and the Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall grant parole, as provided under 
section 212(d)(5), to that alien. An alien shall be eligible 
under this subsection if the alien— 
(1) is a national of El Salvador, Guatemala, or 
Honduras; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
(2) is the beneficiary of an approved immigrant 
visa petition under section 203(a) of the Immigra-
tion and Nationality Act; and 
(3) does not have an immigrant visa that is im-
mediately available but the visa is expected to be 
available within 5 years of the date the alien reg-
isters with a Designated Processing Center. 
(b) APPLICATION AND ADJUDICATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Absent exceptional cir-
cumstances, an eligible alien shall be permitted to 
submit an application for parole under this section 
up to 90 days after the date the alien is determined 
to be eligible for parole. 
(2) ADJUDICATION DEADLINES.—Absent excep-
tional circumstances, applications submitted under 
this section shall be adjudicated not later than 180 
days after submission. 
(3) BIOMETRICS AND BACKGROUND CHECKS.— 
(A) SUBMISSION OF BIOMETRIC AND BIO-
GRAPHIC
DATA.—Applicants for parole under 
this section shall be required to submit biomet-
ric and biographic data in accordance with pro-
cedures established by the Assistant Director of 
Regional Processing. The Assistant Director 
shall provide an alternative procedure for appli-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00052
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
cants who are unable to provide all required bi-
ometric data due to a physical or mental im-
pairment. 
(B) BACKGROUND
CHECKS.—The Assist-
ant Director of Regional Processing shall utilize 
biometric, biographic, and other appropriate 
data to conduct security and law enforcement 
background checks of applicants to determine 
whether there is any criminal, national security, 
or other ground that would render the applicant 
ineligible for parole under this section. 
(C) 
COMPLETION
OF
BACKGROUND 
CHECKS.—The security and law enforcement 
background checks required under subpara-
graph (B) shall be completed to the satisfaction 
of the Assistant Director of Regional Proc-
essing before the date on which an application 
for parole may be approved. 
(4) APPROVAL.—Designated Processing Centers 
shall issue appropriate travel documentation to 
aliens granted parole. Such documentation must be 
presented to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at 
a port of entry for parole into the United States 
within 120 days of issuance. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00053
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
SEC. 306. CENTRAL AMERICAN WORKER REFERRAL PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—An alien who registers with a 
Designated Processing Center shall be screened for refer-
ral for suitable temporary worker programs as provided 
in this section. 
(b) 
QUALIFYING
TEMPORARY
WORKER
PRO-
GRAMS.—In accordance with the standard operating pro-
cedures described in section 301(b)(2)(B) of this title, and 
using tools and resources developed by the Secretary of 
Homeland Security in consultation with the Secretary of 
Labor, Designated Processing Centers shall— 
(1) connect prospective workers to U.S. employ-
ers or recruiters seeking temporary workers to per-
form agricultural labor or services as described in 
section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act, or other temporary or seasonal 
work as described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) of 
the Immigration and Nationality Act; and 
(2) connect prospective workers to an organiza-
tion, approved by the Department of State to spon-
sor exchange visitors as described under section 
101(a)(15)(J) of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act, for placement as an au pair with a qualified 
host family in the United States. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
(c) OTHER TEMPORARY WORK PROGRAMS.—The 
Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Labor, may, as a matter of discretion, develop 
tools and resources and establish procedures to allow Des-
ignated Processing Centers to connect prospective workers 
to other temporary employment, training, or exchange vis-
itor opportunities in the United States that require non-
immigrant visa sponsorship. 
(d) ELIGIBILITY.—Eligibility for referral under this 
section shall be limited to nationals of El Salvador, Guate-
mala, or Honduras who— 
(1) have registered with a Designated Proc-
essing Center; and 
(2) have agreed in writing to participate in the 
referral program. 
Eligible individuals shall only be referred to prospective 
employers or designated organizations for possible visa 
sponsorship and employment in an area or areas in which 
the individual has indicated a willingness and desire to 
work. 
(e) LIMITATIONS.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed— 
(1) to limit the obligations of an employer, re-
cruiter, designated organization, or other entity to 
fulfill all requirements for nonimmigrant visa spon-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00055
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
sorship as required under the relevant provisions of 
the Immigration and Nationality Act and regulations 
issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the 
Attorney General; 
(2) to guarantee employment or visa sponsor-
ship for any prospective worker who registers with 
a Designated Processing Center; or 
(3) to allow a Designated Processing Center, 
employer, recruiter, or designated organization to 
charge or collect any placement or referral fee for 
services rendered under this section. 
SEC. 307. INFORMATIONAL CAMPAIGN; CASE STATUS HOT-
LINE. 
(a) INFORMATIONAL CAMPAIGN.—The Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall implement an informational cam-
paign, in English and Spanish, in the United States, El 
Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to increase aware-
ness of the provisions of this title. 
(b) CASE STATUS HOTLINE.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Homeland Security shall establish a case status hotline 
providing confidential processing information on pending 
cases. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00056
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
TITLE IV—IMPROVING BORDER 
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR FAMI-
LIES AND CHILDREN; CRACK-
ING DOWN ON CRIMINAL OR-
GANIZATIONS. 
SEC. 401. ADDITIONAL U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PRO-
TECTION PERSONNEL. 
(a) OFFICERS.—The Commissioner of U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection shall, every fiscal year, hire, train, 
and assign not fewer than 200 new officers above the level 
as of September 30 of the immediately preceding fiscal 
year until the total number of officers equals the require-
ments identified each year in the Workload Staffing Model 
issued by the Commissioner pursuant to the Department 
of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2012 (herein-
after in this title referred to as the ‘‘Workload Staffing 
Model’’). 
(b) PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND CHILD 
WELFARE.— 
(1) HUMANITARIAN
SPECIALISTS
AND
CHILD 
WELFARE PROFESSIONALS.—Not later than the last 
day of the first fiscal year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection shall hire, train, and assign 
not fewer than 100 new humanitarian specialists 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00057
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
(c) AGRICULTURAL
SPECIALISTS.—The Commis-
sioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall, every 
fiscal year, hire, train, and assign not fewer than 100 new 
agricultural specialists above the level as of September 30 
of the immediately preceding fiscal year until the total 
number of such specialists equals the requirements identi-
fied each year in the Agriculture Resource Allocation 
Model developed by the Commissioner. The Commissioner 
is authorized to enter into such contracts as may be nec-
essary to carry out this subsection. 
(d) SUPPORT STAFF.—The Commissioner of U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection is authorized to hire, 
train, and assign support staff, including technicians and 
interpreters, to perform non-law enforcement administra-
tive functions to support all personnel of U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection. The Commissioner is authorized 
to enter into such contracts as may be necessary to carry 
out this subsection. 
(e) OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY.— 
The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protec-
tion shall hire, train, and assign sufficient Office of Pro-
fessional Responsibility special agents to ensure that there 
is one such special agent for every 30 officers to inves-
tigate criminal and administrative matters and misconduct 
by officers and other employees of U.S. Customs and Bor-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00059
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS
priate agency, or released with complete and accurate doc-
uments, within 72 hours of apprehension. 
SEC. 504. PRIORITIZING PROSECUTION RESOURCES FOR IL-
LEGAL ENTRY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—An individual who has expressed 
a credible or reasonable fear of persecution filed an appli-
cation for asylum, withholding of removal, or protection 
under the Convention Against Torture, or expressed an 
intent to file such an application, may not be prosecuted 
under section 275(a) or 276(a) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1325(a), 1326(a)) until the ear-
lier of— 
(1) the date on which any such application has 
been finally adjudicated and denied, including any 
appeals thereto; or 
(2) in the case of an alien who expresses an in-
tent to file such an application, the date on which 
any applicable time limitation for the filing of such 
an application under section 208 of such Act has 
ended and no application has been filed. 
(b) AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE.—In a case in which an 
individual is prosecuted under section 275(a) or 276(a) 
of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1325(a), 1326(a)) in violation of subsection (a), it shall 
be a defense that the alien has expressed a credible or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:12 Jul 23, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00087
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3524.IH
H3524
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with BILLS