To amend the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to provide an exception to the parole fee for the parole of an alien for a sacred Tribal or religious ceremony, cultural exchange, or celebration, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5904
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-04: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-04T21:51:48Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill (H.R. 5904) aims to create a limited exception to immigration parole fees, allowing certain non-citizens (referred to as "aliens" in the bill) to enter the U.S. temporarily without paying the standard fee if they are participating in sacred Tribal or religious ceremonies, cultural exchanges, or celebrations. It focuses on supporting cultural activities tied to federally recognized Indian Tribes near the U.S. Southwest border.
Key Provisions
- Temporary Exception Period: The exception applies for 2 years starting from the date the bill is enacted.
- Eligibility Criteria: The Secretary of Homeland Security must determine that paroling the individual provides a "significant public benefit." To qualify, the individual must:
- Undergo a preliminary criminal background check before arriving at a U.S. port of entry.
- Submit a written request from a federally recognized Indian Tribe for which the U.S. government holds land in trust near the Southwest border.
- Be enrolled in a cultural participant program run by such a tribe.
- Fee Adjustment: Eligible individuals pay a reduced fee of $200, instead of the full parole fee required under existing law.
- Technical Amendments: The bill updates the structure of an existing section in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (Public Law 119-21) by adding this new exception as paragraph (11) in subsection (b) of Section 100004, while adjusting punctuation in prior paragraphs for clarity.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 100004(b) of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which governs parole processes and fees for non-citizens.
- Introduces a new, narrow category for fee waivers or reductions specifically for cultural and religious purposes linked to Southwest border tribes, which was not previously available.
- Maintains core requirements like background checks but ties them to tribal sponsorship, differing from broader parole rules that do not emphasize cultural programs or reduced fees.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will handle additional determinations of "public benefit," background checks, and fee processing, potentially increasing administrative workload during the 2-year period but limited to specific tribal requests.
- Citizens and Tribes: Federally recognized Indian Tribes near the Southwest border (e.g., in Arizona or nearby states) gain a tool to invite cultural participants, supporting tribal traditions without full immigration barriers. U.S. citizens involved in these events may see easier access to diverse cultural exchanges.
- Non-Citizens: Eligible foreign participants (aliens) benefit from lower costs and streamlined entry for short-term cultural events, but the program is restricted and temporary.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could foster goodwill with Mexico or other border nations by enabling cross-border cultural ties, without altering broader immigration enforcement.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federally Recognized Indian Tribes: Near the Southwest border, as they must sponsor requests and operate cultural programs.
- Department of Homeland Security: Responsible for approvals, checks, and fee collection.
- Eligible Non-Citizens (Aliens): Those enrolled in tribal programs seeking parole for ceremonies or exchanges.
- Local Communities: In border regions, including tribal members and event organizers, who may host more international participants.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces existing parole authority under immigration law (e.g., INA Section 212(d)(5)) by adding a culturally sensitive exception, but limits it to 2 years to allow evaluation. The "significant public benefit" standard aligns with current DHS discretion, reducing risks of arbitrary decisions.
- Constitutional: Supports First Amendment protections for religious and cultural practices by facilitating tribal ceremonies, without conflicting with border security mandates. No apparent due process issues, as background checks and tribal sponsorship provide safeguards.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan support (introduced by representatives from both parties in Arizona) for balancing immigration control with Native American rights, potentially influencing future border policy debates on cultural exceptions amid stricter enforcement trends. The temporary nature allows Congress to assess effectiveness without long-term commitments.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-04: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-11-04: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to provide an exception to the parole fee for the parole of an alien for a sacred Tribal or religious ceremony, cultural exchange, or celebration, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-11-04 — PDF (3 pages)