H.R.3504 - Artemis Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3504, the Artemis Act of 2025, proposes an amendment to Section 235 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The amendment would create an exception from expedited removal processes for individuals who are natives or citizens of countries designated as being of particular concern or on a special watch list for international religious freedom violations. These countries are designated by the Secretary of State.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the Artemis Act would prevent the expedited removal of individuals from countries of concern as defined by the International Religious Freedom Act. This could lead to more asylum claims being processed and potentially longer stays in the US for individuals from those countries while their cases are being reviewed.
Potential Benefits
- Provides additional protection to individuals fleeing countries with documented human rights or religious freedom concerns.
- Aligns US immigration policy more closely with its stated commitment to promoting international religious freedom.
- May reduce the risk of sending individuals back to countries where they could face persecution or harm.
- Could improve the US's international standing as a protector of human rights.
- May lead to a more thorough review process for asylum claims from individuals from countries of concern.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could potentially strain resources allocated to processing immigration cases, leading to delays for other applicants.
- May be perceived as creating a loophole in expedited removal processes, potentially encouraging more individuals from designated countries to seek entry into the US.
- Could lead to diplomatic tensions with countries designated as being of particular concern.
- May increase the number of asylum seekers in the US, placing additional burdens on social services and support systems.
- The definition of 'country of concern' relies on designations made by the Secretary of State, which could be subject to political influence.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the US Constitution is complex. While it doesn't directly violate any specific clause, its impact on immigration enforcement could be debated in relation to the federal government's power over immigration (Article I, Section 8). The bill's focus on religious freedom aligns with the spirit of the First Amendment, but the potential for increased immigration could raise concerns about resource allocation and national security, areas where the government has broad authority.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).