What is the New U.S Immigration Bill of 2024

The new immigration bill of 2024, known as the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, introduces several significant changes to the U.S. immigration system aimed at enhancing border security, refining the asylum process, and increasing legal immigration pathways.

Key elements of the bill include:

1. Border Emergency Authority: This provision allows the President and the Secretary of Homeland Security to temporarily shut down the border to asylum seekers when overwhelmed. This authority is triggered when border encounters exceed 5,000 migrants per day on average for seven consecutive days. The authority is limited to 270 days in the first year, decreasing in subsequent years, and includes a sunset clause after three years​ (FactCheck.org)​​ (The White House)​.

2. Asylum Process Reforms: The bill raises the standard for initial asylum screenings from a "significant possibility" to a "reasonable possibility" of persecution. It also mandates quicker adjudication of asylum claims, aiming to reduce the decision time to six months from the current 5-7 years. Additionally, it provides for faster work authorization for asylum seekers and other visa holders​ (FactCheck.org)​​ (The White House)​.

3. Increased Legal Immigration: The bill adds 250,000 new immigrant visas over five years, with 160,000 family-based and 90,000 employment-based visas. This aims to facilitate family reunification and meet the needs of U.S. businesses for skilled workers​ (The White House)​.

4. Enhanced Border Security: The bill funds new inspection technology to detect fentanyl, adds over 1,500 new CBP personnel, and hires additional asylum officers and immigration judges to reduce backlogs. It also includes provisions to combat smuggling and drug trafficking more effectively​ (The White House)​.

These measures collectively aim to address both the immediate challenges of border security and the long-term goal of creating a more efficient and humane immigration system. The bill reflects a bipartisan effort to balance enforcement with humanitarian obligations and economic needs​ (FactCheck.org)​​ (National Immigration Forum)​​ (The White House)​.