Border Security is National Security Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.5969 | Sponsor: Rep. Carl, Jerry L. (R-AL)
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
Border Security is National Security Act of 2021
This bill modifies requirements for asylum applicants and addresses related issues.
Under this bill, an alien may receive asylum only if the individual entered the United States at a port of entry.
The bill also statutorily authorizes a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer who otherwise meets the relevant requirements to act as an asylum officer. (Asylum officers interview each applicant for asylum and determine whether the applicant has a credible fear of persecution, a requirement to receive asylum.)
The Department of Justice must appoint or hire 200 immigration judges (and support staff) to serve in specified judicial districts in Texas, California, Arizona, or New Mexico.

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to certain 
         asylum application procedures, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Border Security is National Security 
Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. IMMIGRATION JUDGE TEAMS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall appoint or hire, as 
applicable, 200 immigration judge teams to serve in a court in the 
Southern District of Texas, Southern District of California, Western 
District of Texas, District of Arizona, or the District of New Mexico.
    (b) Immigration Judge Team Defined.--In this section, the term 
``immigration judge team'' includes:
            (1) One immigration judge (as defined by section 101 of the 
        Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101)).
            (2) One attorney.
            (3) One legal assistant.
            (4) Two other full-time employees, including additional 
        legal staff, interpreters, or other staff supporting the 
        mission of the Executive Office for Immigration Review.

SEC. 3. ASYLUM APPLICATIONS.

    (a) Port of Entry Requirement for Application.--Section 
208(b)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
118(b)(1)(A)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Secretary of Homeland Security'' and 
        inserting the following:
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary of 
                        Homeland Security''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new clause:
                            ``(ii) Port of entry requirement.--The 
                        Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney 
                        General may grant asylum to an alien in 
                        accordance with this Act only if such alien has 
                        applied for asylum after entering the United 
                        States at a port of entry.''.
    (b) Officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Authorized To 
Conduct Asylum Interviews.--Section 235(b)(1)(E) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(1)(E)) is amended in the matter 
preceding clause (i), by inserting ``, including an officer of U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection,'' after ``immigration officer''.
                                 <all>