Bill > HR7964

This bill, titled the "Halt Immigration from Countries with Inadequate Verification Capabilities Act," aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the entry of individuals from countries where the U.S. cannot reliably confirm their identities or backgrounds, building on previous executive actions like Presidential Proclamation 9645 and legal precedents such as the Supreme Court case *Trump v. Hawaii*. The bill defines "designated country" to include those already listed in Proclamation 9645 (like Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela) and allows the Secretary of State, in consultation with other officials, to add countries facing instability, state-sponsored terrorism, or failing to cooperate with verification processes, such as Afghanistan, Sudan, Eritrea, and the Central African Republic. While generally barring admission for nationals or residents of these countries who have lived there within the preceding five years, the bill includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, refugees and asylees admitted before the act's enactment, members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, those traveling on diplomatic visas, and individuals whose admission is deemed in the national interest on a case-by-case basis, with specific enhanced vetting procedures to be developed for those seeking exceptions or waivers. The Secretary of Homeland Security can also grant waivers for humanitarian reasons or to meet international obligations, mirroring processes upheld in *Trump v. Hawaii*. The bill mandates initial designations within 60 days of enactment, annual reviews of the list of designated countries, and annual reports to Congress, and establishes penalties for violations, including removal and a 10-year reentry bar.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7964/all-info