CARE Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 6414

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Immigration

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-03: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-01-05T16:43:13Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Community Assent for Refugee Entry Act of 2025" (CARE Act of 2025) aims to give state and local governments the power to block refugee resettlement within their jurisdictions. It seeks to ensure that refugee placements align with local community approval, preventing federal resettlement in areas that formally oppose it.

Key Provisions

• Resettlement Ban Based on Disapproval: For any fiscal year, the federal government cannot resettle refugees in:
• A state if the governor or state legislature has formally disapproved resettlement in that state.
• A locality (such as a city or county) if the chief executive (e.g., mayor) or local legislature has formally disapproved resettlement in that locality.
• This limitation applies regardless of other provisions in the existing refugee resettlement law.
• The bill amends Section 412 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which governs the U.S. refugee program.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The INA currently allows the federal government, through agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of State, to place refugees nationwide based on availability of services and community resources, without requiring state or local consent.
• This bill introduces a new subsection (g) that adds an opt-out mechanism, empowering state and local governments to veto resettlement. Previously, such decisions were made at the federal level without formal state or local veto power.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Federal agencies responsible for refugee resettlement (e.g., HHS's Office of Refugee Resettlement) may face reduced placement options, leading to logistical challenges, higher costs for relocating refugees to approving areas, and potential delays in processing.
• On Citizens: Residents in disapproving states or localities could see fewer refugees settled nearby, potentially reducing local resource strains but also limiting community diversity and economic contributions from refugees.
• On Refugees: Approved refugees might experience prolonged uncertainty or be funneled into fewer welcoming areas, exacerbating overcrowding or integration challenges in those locations.
• On International Relations: The policy could signal a more restrictive U.S. stance on refugee admissions, potentially straining diplomatic ties with countries sending refugees or international organizations like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which coordinate global resettlement efforts.

Main Stakeholders

• State and Local Governments: Governors, mayors, and legislatures gain direct influence over resettlement decisions.
• Refugees and Resettlement Agencies: Individuals seeking safety and non-profits/voluntary agencies (VOLAGs) involved in placement could face barriers or rerouting.
• Federal Government: Departments handling immigration and refugee programs must adapt operations to comply with local opt-outs.
• U.S. Citizens and Communities: Local taxpayers and service providers (e.g., schools, healthcare) in affected areas may experience changes in resource allocation.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal and Constitutional: The bill could spark debates over federalism, as immigration and foreign affairs are primarily federal powers under the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8). Allowing state/local vetoes might lead to court challenges claiming it undermines uniform national policy or violates the Supremacy Clause, which prioritizes federal law.
• Political: It reflects tensions between federal refugee commitments (stemming from international agreements like the 1951 Refugee Convention) and local control preferences. Politically, it may appeal to states seeking to manage immigration impacts but could polarize debates on humanitarian obligations versus community autonomy. If enacted, it might influence future refugee admission ceilings set annually by the President.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-03: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-12-03: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-03: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Community Assent for Refugee Entry Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-03 — PDF (2 pages)