Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act

Bill: 115-s-2380
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2018-02-06
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Detention of persons

Drug trafficking and controlled substances

Evidence and witnesses

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Human trafficking

Immigration status and procedures

Juvenile crime and gang violence

Organized crime

Violent crime
Latest action: action_date: 2018-02-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-02-06
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act</b></p> <p>This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make an alien: (1) inadmissible if a consular officer, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or the Department of Justice (DOJ) knows or has reason to believe that such person is or has been a member of a criminal gang or has participated in criminal gang activities; and (2) deportable if such person is or has been a member of a criminal gang or has participated in criminal gang activities. </p> <p>A &quot;criminal gang&quot; is defined as an ongoing group, club, organization, or association of five or more persons (group): (1) one of the primary purposes of which is the commission of one or more specified criminal offenses and the members of which engage, or have engaged within the past five years, in a continuing series of such offenses; or (2) that has been designated as a criminal gang by DHS.</p> <p>DHS may: (1) designate a group as a criminal gang based upon its conduct, and (2) revoke a designation for national security interests or if the group no longer conducts such criminal activities. Such designation shall be effective until revoked or judicially set aside. Congress may block or revoke a designation. </p> <p>A group may file a petition for revocation: (1) prior to designation, with DHS, and (2) after designation, with the U.S. Court of Appeals, DC Circuit. </p> <p>The bill: (1) provides for mandatory detention of alien gang members; and (2) makes alien gang members ineligible for asylum, temporary protected status, special immigrant juvenile status, and parole (unless such an alien is assisting the United States in a law enforcement matter).</p>

tv_txt: II 115th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2380 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 6, 2018 Mr. Heller introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to aliens associated with criminal gangs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act . 2. Grounds of inadmissibility and deportability for alien gang members (a) Definition of gang member Section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (53) The term criminal gang means an ongoing group, club, organization, or association of 5 or more persons that has, as 1 of its primary purposes, the commission of 1 or more of the criminal offenses listed in subparagraphs (A) through (F), whether in violation of Federal, State, or foreign law and regardless of whether the offenses occurred before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, and the members of which engage, or have engaged within the past 5 years, in a continuing series of such offenses, or that has been designated as a criminal gang by the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General, as meeting such criteria. (A) A felony drug offense (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 802 )). (B) An offense under section 274 (relating to bringing in and harboring certain aliens), section 277 (relating to aiding or assisting certain aliens to enter the United States), or section 278 (relating to importation of alien for immoral purpose). (C) A crime of violence (as defined in section 16 of title 18, United States Code). (D) A crime involving obstruction of justice, tampering with or retaliating against a witness, victim, or informant, or burglary. (E) Any conduct punishable under sections 1028 and 1029 of title 18, United States Code (relating to fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents or access devices), sections 1581 through 1594 of such title (relating to peonage, slavery, and trafficking in persons), section 1951 of such title (relating to interference with commerce by threats or violence), section 1952 of such title (relating to interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises), section 1956 of such title (relating to the laundering of monetary instruments), section 1957 of such title (relating to engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity), or sections 2312 through 2315 of such title (relating to interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles or stolen property). (F) A conspiracy to commit an offense described in subparagraphs (A) through (E). . (b) Inadmissibility Section 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(2) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (J) Aliens associated with criminal gangs Any alien is inadmissible if a consular officer, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Attorney General knows or has reason to believe that the alien— (i) is or has been a member of a criminal gang; or (ii) has participated in the activities of a criminal gang, knowing or having reason to know that such activities will promote, further, aid, or support the illegal activity of the criminal gang. . (c) Deportability Section 237(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(2) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (G) Aliens associated with criminal gangs Any alien is deportable who— (i) is or has been a member of a criminal gang (as defined in section 101(a)(53)); or (ii) has participated in the activities of a criminal gang (as so defined), knowing or having reason to know that such activities will promote, further, aid, or support the illegal activity of the criminal gang. . (d) Designation (1) In general Chapter 2 of title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1182 ) is amended by inserting after section 219 the following: 220. Designation of criminal gang (a) Designation (1) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, may designate a group, club, organization, or association of 5 or more persons as a criminal gang if the Secretary finds that their conduct is described in section 101(a)(53). (2) Procedure (A) Notification Not later than 7 days before making a designation under this subsection, the Secretary, by classified communication, shall submit written notification to the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the President pro tempore, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader of the Senate, and the members of the relevant committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the intent to designate a group, club, organization, or association of 5 or more persons under this subsection and the factual basis for such designation. (B) Publication in the federal register Not later than 7 days after submitting the notification under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall publish each designation under this subsection in the Federal Register. (3) Record (A) In general In making a designation under this subsection, the Secretary shall create an administrative record. (B) Classified information The Secretary may consider classified information in making a designation under this subsection. Classified information may not be subject to disclosure while it remains classified, except that such information may be disclosed to a court ex parte and in camera for purposes of judicial review under subsection (c). (4) Period of designation (A) In general A designation under this subsection shall be effective for all purposes until revoked under paragraph (5) or (6) or set aside pursuant to subsection (c). (B) Review of designation upon petition (i) In general The Secretary shall review the designation of a criminal gang under the procedures set forth in clauses (iii) and (iv) if the designated group, club, organization, or association of 5 or more persons files a petition for revocation within the petition period described in clause (ii). (ii) Petition period For purposes of clause (i)— (I) if the designated group, club, organization, or association of 5 or more persons has not previously filed a petition for revocation under this subparagraph, the petition period begins 2 years after the date on which the designation was made; or (II) if the designated group, club, organization, or association of 5 or more persons has previously filed a petition for revocation under this subparagraph, the petition period begins 2 years after the date of the determination made under clause (iv) on that petition. (iii) Procedures Any group, club, organization, or association of 5 or more persons that submits a petition for revocation under this subparagraph of its designation as a criminal gang must provide evidence in that petition that the group, club, organization, or association is not described in section 101(a)(53). (iv) Determination (I) In general Not later than 180 days after receiving a petition for revocation submitted under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall make a determination regarding such revocation. (II) Classified information The Secretary may consider classified information in making a determination in response to a petition for revocation. Classified information shall not be subject to disclosure for such time as it remains classified, except that such information may be disclosed to a court ex parte and in camera for purposes of judicial review under subsection (c). (III) Publication of determination A determination made by the Secretary under this clause shall be published in the Federal Register. (IV) Procedures Any revocation by the Secretary shall be made in accordance with paragraph (6). (C) Other review of designation (i) In general If no review has taken place under subparagraph (B) during a 5-year period, the Secretary shall review the designation of the criminal gang in order to determine whether such designation should be revoked pursuant to paragraph (6). (ii) Procedures If a review does not take place pursuant to subparagraph (B) in response to a petition for revocation that is filed in accordance with that subparagraph, a review shall be conducted pursuant to procedures established by the Secretary. The results of such review and the applicable procedures are not reviewable by any court. (iii) Publication of results of review The Secretary shall publish any determination made under this subparagraph in the Federal Register. (5) Revocation by act of congress The Congress, by an Act of Congress, may block or revoke a designation made under paragraph (1). (6) Revocation based on change in circumstances (A) In general The Secretary may revoke a designation made under paragraph (1) at any time, and shall revoke a designation upon completion of a review conducted under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (4) if the Secretary determines that— (i) the group, club, organization, or association of 5 or more persons that has been designated as a criminal gang is no longer described in section 101(a)(53); or (ii) the national security or the law enforcement interests of the United States warrants a revocation. (B) Procedure The procedural requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply to a revocation under this paragraph. Any revocation shall take effect on the date specified in the revocation or upon publication in the Federal Register if no effective date is specified. (7) Effect of revocation The revocation of a designation under paragraph (5) or (6) shall not affect any action or proceeding based on conduct committed prior to the effective date of such revocation. (8) Use of designation in trial or hearing If a designation under this subsection has become effective under paragraph (2), an alien in a removal proceeding may not raise any question concerning the validity of the issuance of such designation as a defense or an objection. (b) Amendments to a designation (1) In general The Secretary may amend a designation under this subsection if the Secretary determines that the group, club, organization, or association of 5 or more persons has changed its name, adopted a new alias, dissolved and then reconstituted itself under a different name or names, or merged with another group, club, organization, or association of 5 or more persons. (2) Procedure Amendments made to a designation under paragraph (1) shall be effective upon publication in the Federal Register. Paragraphs (2), (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8) of subsection (a) shall also apply to an amended designation. (3) Administrative record The administrative record shall be corrected to include the amendments and any additional relevant information that supports such amendments. (4) Classified information The Secretary may consider classified information in amending a designation in accordance with this subsection. Classified information shall not be subject to disclosure while it remains classified, except that such information may be disclosed to a court ex parte and in camera for purposes of judicial review under subsection (c). (c) Judicial review of designation (1) In general Not later than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register of a designation, an amended designation, or a determination in response to a petition for revocation, the designated group, club, organization, or association of 5 or more persons may seek judicial review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. (2) Basis of review Review under this subsection shall be based solely upon the administrative record, except that the Government may submit, for ex parte and in camera review, classified information used in making the designation, amended designation, or determination in response to a petition for revocation. (3) Scope of review The Court shall hold unlawful and set aside a designation, amended designation, or determination in response to a petition for revocation the court finds to be— (A) arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law; (B) contrary to constitutional right, power, privilege, or immunity; (C) in excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority, or limitation, or short of statutory right; (D) lacking substantial support in the administrative record taken as a whole or in classified information submitted to the court under paragraph (2); or (E) not in accord with the procedures required by law. (4) Judicial review invoked The pendency of an action for judicial review of a designation, amended designation, or determination in response to a petition for revocation shall not affect the application of this section, unless the court issues a final order setting aside the designation, amended designation, or determination in response to a petition for revocation. (d) Definitions As used in this section— (1) the term classified information has the meaning given that term in section 1(a) of the Classified Information Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.); (2) the term national security means the national defense, foreign relations, or economic interests of the United States; (3) the term relevant committees means the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and of the House of Representatives; and (4) the term Secretary means the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General. . (2) Clerical amendment The table of contents for such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 219 the following: Sec. 220. Designation of criminal gang. . (e) Mandatory detention of criminal gang members (1) In general Section 236(c)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1226(c)(1) ) is amended— (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking the comma at the end and inserting a semicolon; (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the comma at the end and inserting a semicolon; (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking , or at the end and inserting a semicolon; (D) in subparagraph (D), by striking the comma at the end and inserting ; or ; and (E) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: (E) is inadmissible under section 212(a)(2)(J) or deportable under section 217(a)(2)(G), . (2) Annual report Not later than March 1 of the first year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation with the appropriate Federal agencies, shall submit a report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives that identifies the number of aliens detained as a result of the amendment made by paragraph (1)(E). (f) Asylum claims based on gang affiliation (1) Inapplicability of restriction on removal to certain countries Section 241(b)(3)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1251(b)(3)(B) ) is amended, in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting who is described in section 212(a)(2)(J)(i) or section 237(a)(2)(G)(i) or who is after to an alien . (2) Ineligibility for asylum Section 208(b)(2)(A) of such Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(2)(A) ) is amended— (A) in clause (v), by striking or at the end; (B) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (vii); and (C) by inserting after clause (v) the following: (vi) the alien is described in section 212(a)(2)(J)(i) or 237(a)(2)(G)(i); or . (g) Temporary protected status Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1254a ) is amended— (1) by striking Attorney General each place such term appears and inserting Secretary of Homeland Security ; (2) in subsection (c)(2)(B)— (A) in clause (i), by striking , or at the end and inserting a semicolon; (B) in clause (ii), by striking the period and inserting ; or ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (iii) the alien is, or at any time has been, described in section 212(a)(2)(J) or 237(a)(2)(G). ; and (3) in subsection (d)— (A) by striking paragraph (3); and (B) in paragraph (4), by adding at the end the following: The Secretary of Homeland Security may detain an alien provided temporary protected status under this section whenever appropriate under any other provision of law. . (h) Special immigrant juvenile visas Section 101(a)(27)(J)(iii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(J)(iii) ) is amended— (1) in subclause (I), by striking and at the end; (2) in subclause (II), by adding and at the end; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (III) no alien who is, or at any time has been, described in section 212(a)(2)(J) or 237(a)(2)(G) shall be eligible for any immigration benefit under this subparagraph; . (i) Parole An alien described in section 212(a)(2)(J) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by subsection (b), shall not be eligible for parole under section 212(d)(5)(A) of such Act unless— (1) the alien is assisting or has assisted the United States Government in a law enforcement matter, including a criminal investigation; and (2) the alien’s presence in the United States is required by the Government with respect to such assistance. (j) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to acts that occur before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act.