Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act

This bill, called the Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act, requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to study the risk to the United States from people in Syria who are linked to terrorist groups. The study must list each person’s country of origin, which group they are tied to, how well DHS can find and track them, any challenges, and what DHS is doing to reduce the risk and keep such individuals from entering the U.S.

DHS must send this assessment to Congress and give a briefing within 60 days after the law takes effect. The bill also defines “terrorist groups” as organizations officially labeled under U.S. law or by the State or Treasury Departments.

• Who is affected: DHS and individuals in Syria tied to designated terrorist groups
• What changes: DHS must complete a detailed threat assessment and describe its ability to identify, track, and act on these threats
• When: The assessment and a briefing are due within 60 days after the law is enacted