Bill > HR517

This bill, titled the "Closing Asylum Loopholes Act," aims to close loopholes in the immigration laws that serve as incentives for aliens to attempt to enter the United States unlawfully. The key provisions of the bill are: 1. It requires an alien's "credible fear of persecution" to be more probable than not in order to be eligible for asylum. 2. It directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that the questions asked in expedited removal proceedings are done so in a uniform manner, and to record interviews in expedited removal and asylum proceedings. 3. If an asylum seeker needs an interpreter, DHS shall ensure that a competent interpreter is used who is not affiliated with the government of the country the alien is seeking asylum from. The bill also removes a provision that allows asylum applications to be filed with the Department of Homeland Security regardless of the applicant's location.