Bill > S645

This bill, the Refugee Protection Act of 2013, aims to reaffirm the United States' commitment to protecting refugees fleeing persecution or torture by amending the Immigration and Nationality Act. Key provisions include eliminating time limits for asylum applications, clarifying definitions of "asylum seeker" and "refugee" to better protect vulnerable groups, and establishing protections for victims of terrorism from being wrongly classified as terrorists. The bill also seeks to improve the asylum adjudication process by ensuring timely notice of immigration charges, enhancing procedures for verifying sworn statements, and studying the impact of expedited removal on asylum claims. Furthermore, it introduces a "Secure Alternatives Program" to offer alternatives to detention for asylum seekers, sets standards for detention conditions, and mandates timely notice of immigration charges. The legislation also addresses protections for minors seeking asylum, provides legal assistance for refugees and asylees, and establishes pathways for stateless persons to regularize their status. It reforms the refugee consultation process, allows for refugee admissions even without an annual Presidential determination, and updates reception and placement grants. Additional protections are extended to aliens interdicted at sea, and physical presence requirements are modified for aliens serving as translators. The bill also calls for assessments of refugee resettlement programs, expands data collection on refugee needs, and extends eligibility for certain Social Security benefits for refugees. Finally, it authorizes appropriations to carry out these provisions.