- § 6471. Use of Annual Report
- § 6472. Reform of refugee policy
- § 6473. Reform of asylum policy
- § 6473a. Designated persons list for particularly severe violations of religious freedom
- § 6474. Studies on effect of expedited removal provisions on asylum claims
§ 6471. Use of Annual Report
The Annual Report, together with other relevant documentation, shall serve as a resource for immigration judges and consular, refugee, and asylum officers in cases involving claims of persecution on the grounds of religion. Absence of reference by the Annual Report to conditions described by the alien shall not constitute the sole grounds for a denial of the alien’s claim.
(Pub. L. 105–292, title VI, § 601, Oct. 27, 1998, 112 Stat. 2812.)
§ 6472. Reform of refugee policy
(a), (b) Omitted
(c) Guidelines for refugee-processing posts
(1) Guidelines for addressing hostile biases
(2) Guidelines for refugee-processing posts in establishing agreements with United States Government-designated refugee processing entities
(3) Guidelines for preventing persons with potential biases from participating in determinations
(d) Annual consultation
(Pub. L. 105–292, title VI, § 602, Oct. 27, 1998, 112 Stat. 2812; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(7) [div. A, title II, § 253], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–432.)
§ 6473. Reform of asylum policy
(a) Guidelines
(b) Training for asylum and immigration officers
(c) Training for immigration judges
(Pub. L. 105–292, title VI, § 603, Oct. 27, 1998, 112 Stat. 2813; Pub. L. 107–132, § 1(b), Jan. 16, 2002, 115 Stat. 2412.)
§ 6473a. Designated persons list for particularly severe violations of religious freedom
(a) List
(1) In general
(2) Reference
(b) Report
(1) In general
The Secretary of State shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that contains the list required under subsection (a), including, with respect to each foreign individual on the list—
(A) the name of the individual and a description of the particularly severe violation of religious freedom committed by the individual;
(B) the name of the country or other location in which such violation took place; and
(C) a description of the actions taken pursuant to this chapter or any other Act or Executive order in response to such violation.
(2) Submission and updates
The Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees—
(A) the initial report required under paragraph (1) not later than 180 days after December 16, 2016; and
(B) updates to the report every 180 days thereafter and as new information becomes available.
(3) Form
(4) Definition
In this subsection, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate;
(D) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives;
(E) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
(F) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives.
(Pub. L. 105–292, title VI, § 605, as added Pub. L. 114–281, title V, § 501(2), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1437.)
§ 6474. Studies on effect of expedited removal provisions on asylum claims
(a) Studies
(1) Commission request for participation by experts on refugee and asylum issues
(2) Duties of Comptroller General
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study alone or, upon request by the Commission, in cooperation with experts designated by the Commission, to determine whether immigration officers performing duties under section 1225(b) of title 8 with respect to aliens who may be eligible to be granted asylum are engaging in any of the following conduct:
(A) Improperly encouraging such aliens to withdraw their applications for admission.
(B) Incorrectly failing to refer such aliens for an interview by an asylum officer for a determination of whether they have a credible fear of persecution (within the meaning of section 1225(b)(1)(B)(v) of title 8).
(C) Incorrectly removing such aliens to a country where they may be persecuted.
(D) Detaining such aliens improperly or in inappropriate conditions.
(b) Reports
(1) Participation by experts
(2) Duties of Comptroller General
(c) Access to proceedings
(1) In general
(2) Exceptions
(Pub. L. 105–292, title VI, § 606, formerly § 605, Oct. 27, 1998, 112 Stat. 2814; renumbered § 606, Pub. L. 114–281, title V, § 501(1), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1437.)