WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced the End Unaccountable Amnesty Act. The bill restores congressional oversight of immigration policies, establishes stricter requirements and limitations on TPS, immigration parole, and the handling of unaccompanied minors. Rep. Troy Nehls (Texas-22) is introducing in the House.
SEN. JIM BANKS (R-Ind.): “The Biden administration exploited current law to grant legal status to millions of non-citizens, overwhelming communities in Indiana and across the country. Our schools, healthcare systems, and public services are struggling with this massive influx. This bill will end mass parole, eliminate incentives for illegal immigration, and help President Trump restore order after the chaos caused by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
REP. TROY NEHLS (R-Texas): “The Biden-Harris Administration’s policies incentivized the worst border crisis in American history. Worse, President Biden and his cronies imported people from all over the world through the CHNV and other mass parole programs, flooding our communities with insufficiently vetted individuals. I’m proud to introduce legislation alongside Senator Banks to prevent future administrations from abusing TPS designations and parole authority.”
Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) are original co-sponsors.
Key provisions include:
- Restricting TPS Designation and Renewal: Congress must approve TPS designations, limited to 12 months, with extensions requiring renewal and ending when conditions improve.
- Limiting Immigration Parole: Parole is limited to 1,000 cases annually and restricted to emergencies like urgent medical needs or law enforcement cooperation.
- Reforming Policies for Unaccompanied Minors: Stricter criteria for unaccompanied minors ensure timely, safe repatriation and enhanced DHS oversight of placements within the U.S.
- Prohibiting Certain Identification Documents: DHS-issued documents such as CBP One app IDs and DHS-issued Notices to Appear are banned as valid ID for airport security checks, tightening security protocols.
- Repealing “Cancellation of Removal” (Section 240A): Repeals provisions that previously allowed certain non-citizens to avoid deportation.
Full bill text available here.
Grant Newman, Director of Government Relations, Immigration Accountability Project: “Parole and TPS abuse were combined by the Biden Administration to lock in its unlawful amnesties. Further, the whole premise of cancellation is removal is ridiculous. It’s time that Congress steps in to stop administrative abuse. We’re thankful to Senator Banks and Congressman Nehls for introducing the End Unaccountable Amnesty act.”
Michael Hough, Director of Federal Relations, NumbersUSA: “Senator Banks’ legislation is an urgently needed fix to the complete abuse of the immigration asylum and parole policies by the former Biden/Harris Administration. Congress must act to pass legislation so that a future President cannot abuse their power and overrun our nation’s borders again.”
Background:
In 2024, as a response to Biden’s open-border policies flooding American communities with non-citizens, then-Rep. Jim Banks introduced the End Executive Branch Amnesty Act.