No Asylum for Criminals Act of 2025
No Asylum for Criminals Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# No Asylum for Criminals Act of 2025 – Plain Language Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill would prevent people from receiving asylum in the United States if they have been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor crime. Currently, asylum seekers can only be denied based on specific serious crimes (like aggravated felonies or particularly serious crimes that make them a danger to the U.S.). If passed, the bill would expand this restriction to cover all criminal convictions, with a narrow exception: the Department of Homeland Security could allow asylum for certain political crimes committed outside the U.S. **Who it affects and current status:** The bill would primarily affect asylum seekers with any criminal record, including people convicted of misdemeanors.
Currently, the bill is in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was introduced by Representative Mark Harris (R-NC) in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
No Asylum for Criminals Act of 2025 This bill bars an individual who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor from receiving asylum, with limited exceptions. Specifically, the Department of Homeland Security may designate political offenses committed outside of the United States that shall not be considered a crime for this purpose.Currently, an individual shall be barred from receiving asylum for only certain types of criminal convictions, such as if the individual is convicted for (1) an aggravated felony, or (2) a particularly serious crime and as a result deemed a danger to the United States.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.