Asylum Accountability Act

House Bill

H.R. 698

119th Congress

Asylum Accountability Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 23, 2025

Primary Sponsor

David Rouzer

Representative

Republican

NC-7

Cosponsors

4

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Immigration

Summary

This bill permanently bars asylum seekers who miss their removal hearings from receiving immigration relief, unless exceptional circumstances caused the absence. The current 10-year bar would become a lifetime ban on discretionary immigration benefits.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

SponsorDavid Rouzer (R-NC)

Introduced1/23/2025

StatusReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

ChamberHouse

Data from Congress.gov

See this page through your district lens

Enter ZIP to personalize representatives and vote context.

Stay on top of this issue

Subscribe for weekly bill and representative updates.

Vote Prediction

Asylum Accountability Act

This bill permanently bars asylum seekers who miss their removal hearings from receiving immigration relief, unless exceptional circumstances caused the absence. The current 10-year bar would become a lifetime ban on discretionary immigration benefits.

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

This bill permanently bars asylum seekers who miss their removal hearings from receiving immigration relief, unless exceptional circumstances caused the absence. The current 10-year bar would become a lifetime ban on discretionary immigration benefits.

Bill Number: 698
Sponsor: David Rouzer (R-NC)
Introduced: 1/23/2025
Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Policy Area: Immigration

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Asylum Accountability Act
Bill Number: 698
Sponsor: David Rouzer (R-NC)
Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced: 1/23/2025
Summary: This bill permanently bars asylum seekers who miss their removal hearings from receiving immigration relief, unless exceptional circumstances caused the absence. The current 10-year bar would become a lifetime ban on discretionary immigration benefits.

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill permanently bars asylum seekers who miss their removal hearings from receiving immigration relief, unless exceptional circumstances caused the absence. The current 10-year bar would become a lifetime ban on discretionary immigration benefits.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Asylum Accountability Act This bill permanently bars a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) from receiving certain immigration-related relief if that individual is ordered removed from the United States after failing to appear at a removal proceeding, unless that failure to appear is due to exceptional circumstances. (Currently, this bar from relief is for 10 years.) Under this bill, such an individual shall be permanently barred from receiving discretionary relief under specified immigration provisions, such as (1) cancellation of removal and adjustment to lawful permanent resident status, (2) being allowed to voluntarily depart from the United States, or (3) being allowed to change from one nonimmigrant classification to another.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Converts 10-year bar to permanent for missed hearings
Blocks cancellation of removal permanently
Bars voluntary departure option forever
Prevents change of immigration status
Only exceptional circumstances can excuse absence

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Asylum seekers who fail to appear at immigration court would face permanent consequences rather than a 10-year penalty. Supporters say this deters frivolous claims while critics argue it punishes people who may not have received hearing notices.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Immigration

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

698, 119th Congress (2025). "Asylum Accountability Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-698

Public Opinions

Community submissions related to this bill.

Share your opinion

No public opinions yet. Be the first to submit one for this bill.

Related Bills in Immigration

S 1292

Save Our Seafood Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

S 1208

Privacy Act Modernization Act of 2025

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

HR 2366

American Families United Act

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

HR 2349

Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for