H.R. 1312

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien who has been convicted of a crime is ineligible for asylum, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · February 13, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Harris of North Carolina · Committee: Committee on the Judiciary

Table of contents

• H.R. 1312
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Aliens convicted of crimes ineligible for asylum

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the No Asylum for Criminals Act of 2025.

SEC. 2. Aliens convicted of crimes ineligible for asylum

• Clause (ii) of section 208(b)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act () is amended— 8 U.S.C. 1158
  • (ii) except as provided in subparagraph (B), the alien has been finally convicted of a felony or misdemeanor;
  • by amending clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
    • (B) Exception
      • The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate by regulation political offenses committed outside the United States that will be not considered to be a crime described in clause (ii). The authority under this subparagraph is limited to political offenses committed outside the United States.
  • by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
    • (E) Definitions
      • In this paragraph:
        • (i) The term means— felony
        • any crime defined as a felony by the relevant jurisdiction (Federal, State, tribal, or local) of conviction; or
        • any crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment.
        • (ii) The term means— misdemeanor
        • any crime defined as a misdemeanor by the relevant jurisdiction (Federal, State, tribal, or local) of conviction; or
        • any crime not punishable by more than one year of imprisonment.
  • by adding at the end the following: