S 3318
American Citizens First Act
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Bill overview
The American Citizens First Act proposes significant changes to immigration law, primarily focused on restricting access to federal benefits for noncitizens and increasing enforcement measures. It would terminate eligibility for welfare, housing assistance, and student aid for non-U.S. citizens, expand expedited removal authority for those present in the U.S. without admission, and require a security review of Afghan nationals admitted since 2021. Additionally, the bill allows for the denaturalization of naturalized citizens involved in unlawful protests and suspends temporary protected status for nationals of designated countries based on crime rates.
Key provisions
- Terminates eligibility for federal public benefits (welfare, Medicaid, SNAP, housing, student aid, and tax credits) for non-citizens.
- Authorizes the denaturalization of naturalized citizens convicted of participating in unlawful protests or acts disrupting the constitutional order.
- Expands expedited removal authority for individuals present in the U.S. without admission.
- Mandates a comprehensive security review of Afghan nationals admitted since January 20, 2021.
- Suspends processing of special immigrant and refugee visas for nationals of Afghanistan until a security review is completed.
- Automatically terminates temporary protected status for nationals of designated countries if conditions warrant or if crime rates exceed the national average by 20%.
- Requires semiannual reporting on crime rates among designated country nationals.
Who is affected
- Non-citizens
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
S. 3318
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
A BILL
To terminate Federal benefits for noncitizens, to authorize the denaturalization of naturalized citizens who undermine domestic tranquility, to expand expedited removal authority, to require mandatory revetting of nationals of Afghanistan, and to provide for automatic termination of temporary protected status, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the American Citizens First Act
.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person who is not a citizen or national of the United States shall be eligible for any Federal public benefit (as defined in section 401(c) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1611(c))), including—
any form of welfare or needs-based cash assistance;
Medicaid (except emergency medical services);
the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or food stamps;
Federal housing assistance;
Federal student financial aid; and
the refundable portion of any tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Section 340 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1451) is amended by adding at the end the following:
Any naturalized citizen who, after naturalization, is convicted of, or credibly found by the Secretary of Homeland Security to have participated in, any riot, unlawful protest involving violence or property destruction, or any act intended to overthrow or disrupt the constitutional order of the United States may be denaturalized and removed pursuant to expedited proceedings under section 238, regardless of the period of time elapsed since the date on which the citizen was naturalized.
Section 235(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225(b)) is amended—
An alien described in this subclause is an alien who has not been admitted or paroled into the United States and who is present in the United States without having been admitted or paroled, regardless of the period of time elapsed since the date on which such alien entered the United States.
by adding at the end the following:
The Secretary of Homeland Security—
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall—
upon completion of such review, submit to Congress a certification of such completion.
Effective immediately, the processing of applications by nationals of Afghanistan for special immigrant or refugee status shall be suspended until the date on which the certification under subsection (a)(2) is submitted.
No Federal funds may be used for resettlement support for nationals of Afghanistan until the date on which the certification under subsection (a)(2) is submitted.
Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a) is amended by adding at the end the following:
submit a report to Congress that describes such crime rates.
In calculating a crime rate under subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall include all offenses, including—
traffic violations;
misdemeanors; and
felonies.