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Refugee Protection Act of 1999

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9649)

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Nov 17, 1999

Refugee Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to refugee provisions to limit summary inspection procedures to emergency migration situations in which numbers of arriving aliens substantially exceed inspection capacities. Grants the Attorney General sole authority to make such determination, which shall last 90 days unless extended after consultation with the appropriate congressional committees.Revises provisions respecting inspection of aliens seeking U.S. admission, including requiring: (1) an alien to be informed of certain rights prior to removal or withdrawal of his or her admission application, and (2) review of a removal order by an immigration judge, with the right of the alien to personally appear and be represented (at his or her expense).Exempts from expedited removal procedures aliens fleeing countries with poor human rights record, as determined by the Attorney General.Revises the procedure used to determine whether an applicant for asylum has a credible fear of persecution.Authorizes (currently requires) the Attorney General to detain asylum applicants pending claims resolution.Repeals a specified limitation on judicial review of alien admissions.Provides, with respect to asylum applicants, for an exception to the filing deadline or a permitted second filing after a rejection upon a showing of good cause.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] · D–VT

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
9 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9649)

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

  3. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14701-14704)

  4. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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