H.R. 517 – Closing Asylum Loopholes Act

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Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:20 AM UTC

The Closing Asylum Loopholes Act seeks to tighten U.S. asylum rules to reduce incentives for unlawful entry. It changes how credible‑fear interviews are conducted, limits the jurisdiction for filing asylum claims, and requires more uniform and recorded procedures for expedited removal. The bill mainly affects asylum seekers and Department of Homeland Security officials who handle removal and asylum interviews.

Key Provisions

Amends the credible‑fear interview standard so an officer must determine that the alien could qualify for asylum and that the alien’s statements are more likely than not true.
Deletes a subsection of the asylum‑application jurisdiction rule, narrowing where asylum claims can be filed.
Orders the Secretary of Homeland Security to create uniform quality‑assurance procedures for expedited removal questions and to record those questions and answers consistently.
Requires audio or audiovisual recordings of expedited removal and credible‑fear interviews, and that any sworn statement be accompanied by a recording of the interview.
Mandates the use of a competent, non‑government interpreter when the interviewing officer does not speak the alien’s language.
Specifies that the new recording and procedural rules do not create any private right of action against the United States or its agencies.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

February 25, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 11, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

January 11, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

February 25, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 11, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 517

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 11, 2019

Mr. Johnson of Louisiana introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To close loopholes in the immigration laws that serve as incentives to aliens to attempt to enter the United States unlawfully, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Closing Asylum Loopholes Act.

2.

Credible fear interviews

Section 235(b)(1)(B)(v) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(1)(B)(v)) is amended by striking claim and all that follows, and inserting claim, as determined pursuant to section 208(b)(1)(B)(iii), and such other facts as are known to the officer, that the alien could establish eligibility for asylum under section 208, and it is more probable than not that the statements made by, and on behalf of, the alien in support of the alien’s claim are true..

3.

Jurisdiction of asylum applications

Section 208(b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1158) is amended by striking subparagraph (C).

4.

Recording expedited removal and credible fear interviews

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish quality assurance procedures and take steps to effectively ensure that questions by employees of the Department of Homeland Security exercising expedited removal authority under section 235(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225(b)) are asked in a uniform manner, to the extent possible, and that both these questions and the answers provided in response to them are recorded in a uniform fashion.

(b)

Factors relating to sworn statements

Where practicable, any sworn or signed written statement taken of an alien as part of the record of a proceeding under section 235(b)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(1)(A)) shall be accompanied by a recording of the interview which served as the basis for that sworn statement.

(c)

Interpreters

The Secretary shall ensure that a competent interpreter, not affiliated with the government of the country from which the alien may claim asylum, is used when the interviewing officer does not speak a language understood by the alien.

(d)

Recordings in immigration proceedings

There shall be an audio or audio visual recording of interviews of aliens subject to expedited removal. The recording shall be included in the record of proceeding and shall be considered as evidence in any further proceedings involving the alien.

(e)

No private right of action

Nothing in this section shall be construed to create any right, benefit, trust, or responsibility, whether substantive or procedural, enforceable in law or equity by a party against the United States, its departments, agencies, instrumentalities, entities, officers, employees, or agents, or any person, nor does this section create any right of review in any administrative, judicial, or other proceeding.