H.R. 9773 · In committee · Immigration

Permanent Trump Secure Border Act

What it does

Amends the safe third country rule to allow the Secretary of Homeland Security to bar asylum claims from aliens who transited through at least one country outside their nationality before arriving in the United States, with exceptions for those denied protection elsewhere, trafficking victims.
Raises the credible fear standard for asylum interviews from 'significant possibility' to 'more likely than not' that an alien could establish asylum eligibility, and requires officers to assess credibility of the alien's statements.
Restricts asylum eligibility to aliens who arrive at a port of entry, removing eligibility for those arriving outside ports of entry or interdicted in international or United States waters.
Expands bars to asylum eligibility to include conviction of any felony under Federal, State, tribal, or local law, and certain misdemeanor convictions involving false identification documents, unlawful receipt of public benefits, controlled substances, and human smuggling or trafficking offenses.
Authorizes repatriation of unaccompanied alien children to their country of citizenship or nationality without the requirement to first attempt family reunification with a parent.

Jul 21, 2026: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 14.

Committee: House Judiciary