Refugees: H.R. 5137 (2014)

H.R. 5137, the Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2014, was one of the most thorough responses to the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) at the Southwest border. The definition of UAC is limited to those who do not have a parent, legal guardian, sibling over 18, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or cousin in the U.S. Further, the deadline before notification and transfer of UACs to Health and Human Services (HHS) is extended, and HHS is required to share details of the children and those with whom the children are placed with DHS. Additional judges and immigration attorneys are added in an attempt to address the current surge. Finally, various changes are made to the asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, and parole systems to severely limit fraud and abuse, while protecting those with legitimate claims.