H.R. 2607: Asylum for Farmers and Refugees In Krsis And Necessary Emigration Resettlement Act

This bill, titled the "Asylum for Farmers and Refugees In Krsis And Necessary Emigration Resettlement Act" (or the "AFRIKANER Act"), aims to provide a specific pathway for certain individuals from South Africa to seek refuge in the United States based on humanitarian concerns. Here’s a breakdown of the key components of the bill:

Designation of Refugees

The bill directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to designate specific residents of South Africa as "Priority 2" refugees of special humanitarian concern. The categories of individuals who would qualify include:

• Residents of South Africa who are members of the Caucasian minority group and have faced persecution or have a well-founded fear of persecution due to their race, ethnicity, or ancestry.
• The spouses, children, and parents of these individuals, with certain stipulations regarding the citizenship of the parents.

Processing of Refugees

Eligible individuals can have their refugee status processed either in South Africa or in a third country. This allows for flexibility in how applicants may relocate to the U.S.

Eligibility Criteria

The bill includes provisions to ensure that individuals are not denied refugee status based on their status as immediate relatives of U.S. citizens or other immigrant classifications. Furthermore, applicants' chances should not be affected by prior politically motivated actions against them related to their race, ethnicity, or ancestry.

Exemption from Numerical Limitations

Refugees admitted under this Act would not count against the numerical limits for refugee admissions that are usually specified in existing immigration laws. This means that these refugees could be admitted in addition to the usual quota.

Reporting Requirements

The bill establishes reporting requirements to ensure transparency regarding the process and outcomes of refugee applications:

• The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security must report on refugee application statuses every 90 days, including details such as the total number of pending applications and average wait times for various stages of the application process.
• Denials of applications for refugee status must be documented and reported by reason for each denial.
• Reports must be made public on the Department of State's website, although an unclassified form is required (classified annexes may be included).

Satisfaction of Admission Requirements

Individuals granted refugee status under this Act would be considered to meet the admission requirements specified in existing immigration laws for refugees.

Relevant Companies

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