On Wednesday, The House Judiciary Committee passed a bill: H.R. 1148 that is similar to the SAFE ACT. H.R. 1148 allows for criminal penalties for unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. The first violation could result in a fine or imprisonment for up to six months. For later violations, imprisonment could be up to two years. State and local enforcements have the right to arrest unauthorized immigrants and determine their own immigration criminal and civil penalties. H.R. 1148 also blocks the funding of President Obama’s policies to protect immigrants: the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA).

On the same day, The House Judiciary Committee also passed the Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2015. The bill allows 500 asylums per year to families that are being persecuted by their governments for homeschooling their children. The bill makes it harder for children seeking refuge for gang and drug violence in Central America to be granted asylum in the U.S. This gives power to the Department of Homeland Security to make refugees who are applying for asylum wait in countries like Mexico.

Read more about the bills passed against unlawful residents here.

The purpose of this article is to provide helpful, basic information for residents in the Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York areas. We are here to answer any questions you have and give legal advice about any immigration concerns. If you are in Connecticut or the New York area,contact Attorney James A. Welcome or call (203) 806-7922.