H.R. 6414: Community Assent for Refugee Entry Act of 2025 (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, known as the Community Assent for Refugee Entry Act of 2025, aims to modify the process by which refugees can be resettled in the United States. The key provisions include:

Limitation on Refugee Resettlement

The bill proposes to adjust Section 412 of the Immigration and Nationality Act by adding specific restrictions on refugee resettlement based on state and local governance. In particular:

Refugees cannot be resettled in any state if the state's Governor or legislature has officially taken action to disapprove refugee resettlement.
Similarly, refugees cannot be resettled in any locality if the chief executive of that locality's government or the local legislature has formally disapproved of resettlement.

This means that if a state or local government formally expresses opposition to the acceptance of refugees, then that region would not participate in future refugee resettlement efforts during that fiscal year.

Purpose and Implications

The intent behind this bill appears to be to give state and local governments more control over whether refugees are allowed to settle in their respective areas. It can be seen as a response to concerns from certain states or localities that may feel overwhelmed by the potential influx of refugees, or that may have differing views on immigration policy.

Fiscal Year Limitations

The limitations specified apply to a single fiscal year, meaning that local or state decisions to disapprove resettlement could affect refugee admission for that fiscal cycle. However, if circumstances change, the same state or locality could potentially reverse their position in future years.

Overall Impact

This bill emphasizes the role of state and local authorities in the refugee resettlement process, shifting some of the responsibility and decision-making power away from federal oversight. Its potential passage could lead to varied refugee resettlement landscapes across the United States, depending on the policies enacted at state and local levels.