,,ii  #aad? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #ahfj  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,july #bc1 #bjae ,mr4  
,durb9 7= himself & ,mr4 ,leahy7        
introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read     
twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on !     
,judici>y  ,a ,,bill  ,to protect &     
promote int]national religi\s fre$om4   
#a4 ,%ort title  ,?is ,act may be cit$ z
 ! ,fur!r ,indep5d5ce ( ,religion =     
,security & ,tol]ance ,fre$om ,act (    
#bjae or ! ,,fir/ ,fre$om ,act4  #b4    
,f9d+s2 s5se ( ,congress  7a7 ,f9d+s    
,congress f9ds ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,_m ( our 
,nation's f\nd]s fl$ religi\s p]secution
 & plac$ great importance on religi\s   
fre$om4 ,presid5t ,george ,wa%+ton summ$
 up ! prevail+ view ( our f\nd]s :5 he  
wrote1 9 #agic1 9 ?is ,l& ( equal lib]ty
 x is our boa/1 t a man's religi\s t5ets
 w n =feit ! protection ( ! ,laws4  7#b7
 ,9 #agia1 ! ,fir/ ,am5dm5t to !        
,con/itution 0 ratifi$1 en%r9+ fre$om ( 
religion z ! ,fir/ ,fre$om ( all        
,am]icans & becom+ an inspiration to p  

all ov] ! _w :o /ruggle to ?r[ (f ! yoke
 ( religi\s p]secution4  7#c7 ,?r\gh\t  
our ,nation's hi/ory1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates   
has s\ght to protect & promote          
fundam5tal human rights1 includ+        
religi\s fre$om1 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates &    
?r\gh\t ! _w4  7#d7 ,aft] ,_w ,w> ,,ii1 
"u ,eleanor ,roosevelt's lead]%ip1 !    
,unit$ ,/ates spe>head$ ! ratification (
 ! ,univ]sal ,decl>ation ( ,human       
,rights1 adopt$ at ,p>is ,decemb] #aj1  
#aidh1 :i* recogniz$ fre$om ( religion z
 a fundam5tal "r ( all p4 ,article #ah (
 t treaty /ates ,ev]yone has ! "r to    
fre$om ( ?\ght1 consci5ce & religion2   
?is "r includes fre$om to *ange 8       
religion or belief1 & fre$om ei!r alone 
or 9 community ) o!rs & 9 public or     
private1 to manife/ 8 religion or belief
 9 tea*+1 practice1 wor%ip & obs]vance44
  7#e7 ,! ,int]national ,cov5ant on     
,civil & ,political ,rights1 adopt$ at  
,new ,york ,decemb] #af1 #aiff1 & :i* 0 
ratifi$ by ! ,unit$ ,/ates 9 #aiib1     
/ates1 ,ev]yone %all h ! "r to fre$om ( 

?\ght1 consci5ce & religion4 ,?is "r    
%all include fre$om to h or to adopt a  
religion or belief ( 8 *oice1 & fre$om1 
ei!r individually or 9 community ) o!rs 
& 9 public or private1 to manife/ 8     
religion or belief 9 wor%ip1 obs]vance1 
practice & tea*+44  7#f7 ,s9ce !        
enactm5t ( ! ,int]national ,religi\s    
,fre$om ,act ( #aiih 7,public ,law      
#aje-bib71 ref]r$ to 9 ?is section z    
,,irfa1 :i* e/abli%$ ! ,dep>tm5t (      
,/ate's ,(fice on ,int]national         
,religi\s ,fre$om1 ! ,ambassador at     
,l>ge = ,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om1
 & ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,commission on       
,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om 7ref]r$ 
to 9 ?is section z ,,uscirf71 ! /ate (  
religi\s fre$om ?r\gh\t ! _w has        
significantly wors5$4  7#g7 ,9 section  
#b7;a77#d7 ( ,,irfa 7#b ,u4,s4,c4       
#fdja7;a77#d771 ,congress /at$1 ,m ?an  
"o-half ( ! _w's population lives "u    
regimes t sev]ely re/rict or prohibit ! 
fre$om ( _! citiz5s to /udy1 believe1   
obs]ve1 & freely practice ! religi\s    

fai? ( _! *oice44  7#h7 ,accord+ to     
,ris+ ,tide ( ,re/rictions on ,religion1
 ! mo/ rec5t report ( ! ,pew ,rese>*    
,c5t]'s ,=um on ,religion  ,public      
,life1 ?ree-qu>t]s ( ! _w's population  
lives 9 c\ntries 9 :i* re/rictions on   
religion 7 high or v high4  7#i7        
,accord+ to ! #bjad ,,uscirf ,annual    
,report1 ,! pa/ #aj ye>s h se5 a wors5+ 
( ! already-poor religi\s fre$om        
environm5t 9 ,paki/an1 a cont9u$ de>? ( 
religi\s fre$om 9 ,turkm5i/an1 backslid+
 9 ,vietnam1 ris+ violations 9 ,egypt   
be=e & aft] ! ,arab ,spr+1 & ,syria's   
dec5t sic into sect>ian civil w> ) all  
sides p]petrat+ egregi\s religi\s fre$om
 violations44  7#aj7 ,"u section #djb ( 
,,irfa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddb71 !         
,presid5t is requir$ to designate a     
c\ntry z a c\ntry ( p>ticul> conc]n     
7ref]r$ to 9 ?is section z ,,cpc7 if !  
gov]nm5t ( ! c\ntry has engag$ 9 or     
tol]at$ sy/ematic1 ongo+ & egregi\s     
violations ( religi\s fre$om4  7#aa7    
,accord+ to ! #bjae ,,uscirf ,annual    

,report1 s9ce ,octob] #aiii1 :5 ! fir/  
c\ntries 7 designat$ z ,c,p,cs1 ! li/   
has be5 l>gely un*ang$4 ,( ! n9e        
c\ntries designat$ z ,c,p,cs 9 ,july    
#bjad1 mo/ _h be5 nam$ z ,c,p,cs = ov] a
 decade ''' ,s9ce ,,irfa's inception1   
only "o c\ntry has be5 remov$ f ! ,/ate 
,dep>tm5t's ,,cpc li/ due to diplomatic 
activity44 ,?is track record calls into 
s]i\s "q ! utility ( ! ,,cpc me*anism & 
! utility ( ,,irfa to improve ! /ate (  
religi\s fre$om ?r\gh\t ! _w4  7#ab7 ,! 
,unit$ ,/ates has a long tradition (    
provid+ safe hav5 to refugees1 includ+  
memb]s ( religi\s m9ority gr\ps & ^?    
flee+ religi\s p]secution4 ,foll[+ !    
int]national community's tragic failure 
to %elt] ,jewi% refugees flee+ ! ,nazi  
g5ocide1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates play$ a        
lead]%ip role 9 e/abli%+ ! int]national 
legal regime = ! protection ( refugees4 
,s9ce t "t1 ! ,am]ican p h g5]\sly      
welcom$ millions ( refugees flee+ w> &  
totalit>ian regimes1 & ! ,unit$ ,/ates  
traditionally accepts at lea/ #ej p]c5t 

( resettlem5t cases h&l$ by ! ,(fice ( !
 ,unit$ ,nations ,high ,commission] =   
,refugees 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is section z    
,,unhcr74  7#ac7 ,accord+ to ! #bjad    
,,unhcr ,global ,tr5ds ,report1 m ?an   
#ei1ejj1jjj p 7 =cibly displac$ 9       
#bjad--  7,a7 :i* is equal to #a        
displacem5t = e #abb p worldwide2  7,b7 
:i* is ! mo/ displacem5ts 9 a ye> 9     
record$ hi/ory2  7,c7 includ+-- 7i7     
#ch1bjj1jjj individuals :o 7 int]nally  
displac$ )9 _! own c\ntry2  7ii7        
#ai1ejj1jjj refugees2 &  7iii7          
#a1hjj1jjj asylum-seek]s2  7,d7 _m ( :om
 7 victims ( s]i\s human rights         
violations1 includ+ religi\s p]secution2
 &  7,e7 _m are :om are memb]s (        
vuln]able populations1 includ+ religi\s 
m9orities4  7#ad7 ,! ongo+ conflict 9   
,syria has l$ to ! _w's wor/ ongo+      
humanit>ian crisis & wor/ refugee crisis
 s9ce ,_w ,w> ,,ii4 ,m ?an #ej p]c5t (  
,syria's #bc1jjj1jjj p h be5 =cibly     
displac$ f _! homes &1 z ( #bjae1 #bj   
p]c5t ( ! _w's refugees are ,syrians4   

,,unhcr is seek+ to resettle #acj1jjj   
,syrian refugees dur+ #bjae & #bjaf1 ) a
 p>ticul> focus on vuln]able individuals
 su* z religi\s m9orities4 ,al?\gh !    
,unit$ ,/ates traditionally accepts at  
lea/ #ej p]c5t ( ,,unhcr resettlem5t    
cases1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates has only accept$ 
approximately #hjj ,syrian refugees s9ce
 ! beg9n+ ( ! ,syrian conflict1 :i* is  
an unacceptably l[ numb]4  7#ae7 ,!re   
are sev]al /eps t w\ld facilitate !     
ef=ts ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t to    
protect & provide safe hav5 to refugees 
f religi\s p]secution4 ,! #bjae ,,uscirf
 ,annual ,report recomm5ds t ,congress  
"w to provide ! ,presid5t ) p]man5t     
au?ority to designate z refugees        
specifically-def9$ gr\ps bas$ on %>$    
*>act]i/ics id5tify+ !m z t>gets =      
p]secution on acc\nt ( race1 religion1  
nationality1 memb]%ip 9 a p>ticul>      
social gr\p1 or political op9ion4  7#af7
 ,! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t has limit$  
tools to hold acc\ntable ! p]petrators (
 religi\s fre$om violations4 ,section   

#fjd ( ,,irfa add$ section              
#bab7;a77#b77;,g7 ( ! ,immigration &    
,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4         
#aahb7;a77#b77;,g771 :i* made =eign     
gov]nm5t (ficials :o commit p>ticul>ly  
sev]e violations ( religi\s fre$om      
inadmissible to ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 b x has
 only be5 appli$ once1 to d5y entry to  
,n>5dra ,modi1 :o 0 ,*ief ,m9i/] (      
,guj>at1 ,india4 ,9 its #bjae ,annual   
,report1 ,,uscirf recomm5ds t ! ,/ate   
,dep>tm5t3 ,make great] ef=ts to ensure 
=eign gov]nm5t (ficials are d5i$ entry  
into ! ,unit$ ,/ates due to _!          
inadmissibility "u ,u4,s4 law = _!      
responsibility = religi\s fre$om        
violations abroad44 ,! effectiv5ess (   
?is law is also limit$ because x does n 
apply to non-/ate actors1 su* z         
int]national t]rori/s1 & x c only be us$
 to d5y entry to a p]petrator :o has n  
yet arriv$ 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 n to      
deport a p]petrator :o has already ent]$
 ! c\ntry4  7#ag7 ,9 ! #bjae ,,uscirf   
,annual ,report1 ,,uscirf recomm5d$ t ! 

,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t %\ld call = or  
support a ref]ral by ! ,,un ,security   
,c\ncil to ! ,int]national ,crim9al     
,c\rt to inve/igate ,,isil violations 9 
,iraq & ,syria aga9/ religi\s & e?nic   
m9orities1 foll[+ ! models us$ 9 ,sudan 
& ,libya1 or enc\rage ! ,iraqi gov]nm5t 
to accept ,,icc jurisdiction to         
inve/igate ,,isil violations 9 ,iraq    
aft] ,june #bjad4 ,giv5 ! weakness ( !  
int]national crim9al ju/ice sy/em1      
p>ticul>ly t an ,,icc ref]ral is subject
 to a ,,un ,security ,c\ncil veto1 !    
,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t %\ld h ! ability
 to prosecute memb]s ( ,,isil 9 ,unit$  
,/ates c\rts = crimes aga9/ humanity1   
includ+ religi\s p]secution4  7#ah7 ,"u 
,unit$ ,/ates law1 x is a crime = a     
non-,unit$ ,/ates national to commit    
g5ocide1 torture1 t]rorism1 or sev]al   
o!r violations ( ! law ( nations1 b x is
 n a crime "u ,unit$ ,/ates law to      
commit crimes aga9/ humanity1 includ+   
religi\s p]secution4 ,s9ce ! ,unit$     
,/ates ,gov]nm5t is unable to prosecute 

p]petrators ( ^! crimes1 _m =eign w>    
crim9als h f\nd safe hav5 9 ?is c\ntry4 
7#ai7 ,9 #bjjf1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates         
,gov]nm5t le>n$ t ,m>ko ,boskic1 a man  
:o p>ticipat$ 9 ! ,srebr5ica massacre 9 
! ,bosnian conflict1 0 liv+ 9           
,massa*usetts4 ,r ?an *>g+ him ) crimes 
aga9/ humanity1 or religi\s p]secution1 
,mr4 ,boskic 0 *>g$ ) visa fraud &      
s5t5c$ to only #e ye>s 9 prison4  7#bj7 
,!re is bip>tisan agreem5t ab\t ! ne$ = 
! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t to promote &  
protect int]national human rights1      
includ+ religi\s fre$om4 ,,uscirf is1 by
 design1 a bip>tisan organization1 )    
,commission]s appo9t$ by ! ,presid5t &  
,congressional lead]s4 ,,uscirf c mo/   
effectively promote religi\s fre$om on a
 bip>tisan basis4  7#ba7 ,9 its #bjad   
,annual ,report entitl$ ,additional     
,opportunities to ,r$uce ,fragm5tation1 
,ov]lap1 & ,duplication & ,a*ieve ,o!r  
,f9ancial ,b5efits1 :i* id5tifies       
unnecess>y duplication 9 ! ,f$]al       
,gov]nm5t1 ! ,gov]nm5t ,acc\ntability   

,(fice 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is section z       
,,gao7--  7,a7 highlight$ ! lack (      
coord9ation & ov]lapp+ missions (       
,,uscirf & ! ,(fice ( ,int]national     
,religi\s ,fre$om 9 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate2
  7,b7 f\nd t ! lack ( a def9ition      
reg>d+ h[ ,/ate & ! ,commission are to  
int]act has sometimes creat$ =eign      
policy t5sions t ,/ate has _h to        
mitigate42 &  7,c7 conclud$ t ! lack (  
coord9ation betwe5 ! ,,uscirf & !       
,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate may und]m9e ! ef=ts ( 
! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t to promote    
int]national religi\s fre$om by s5d+    
mix$ messages to =eign gov]nm5ts &      
human-rights activi/s :o are fight+ to  
def5d religi\s fre$om 9 _! c\ntries4    
7#bb7 ,congress1 :i* is responsible =   
ov]see+ ! "w ( ,,uscirf & ensur+ t x is 
effectively pursu+ its mission1 %\ld    
provide great] ov]sight ( ,,uscirf's    
practices1 includ+ address+ conc]ns     
reg>d+ f9ancial irregul>ities & ! "w    
environm5t = religi\s m9orities4  7b7   
,s5se ( ,congress ,x is ! s5se (        

,congress t-- 7#a7 ! protection &       
promotion ( int]national human rights1  
includ+ religi\s fre$om1 %\ld be an     
important priority = ! ,unit$ ,/ates    
,gov]nm5t2 &  7#b7 ! ,unit$ ,/ates      
,gov]nm5t %\ld pursue new /rategies =   
protect+ & promot+ religi\s fre$om      
?r\gh\t ! _w1 includ+--  7,a7 ! creation
 ( new tools-- 7i7 to det] & puni% !    
p]petrators ( p>ticul>ly sev]e          
violations ( religi\s fre$om1 includ+   
non-/ate actors2 &  7ii7 to protect !   
victims ( su* violations2 &  7,b7       
increas$ diplomatic engagem5t t does n  
focus prim>ily on ,,cpc designations4   
#c4 ,enhanc$ protections = refugees &   
asylees flee+ religi\s p]secution  7a7  
,au?ority ,to designate c]ta9 gr\ps (   
refugees = consid]ation ,section        
#bjg7;c77#a7 ( ! ,immigration &         
,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4         
#aaeg7;c77#a77 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by ins]t+
 7,a7 be=e ,subject to ! num]ical       
limitations2 &  7#b7 by add+ at ! end ! 
foll[+3  7,b7 7i7 ,! ,secret>y ( ,/ate1 

9 consultation ) ! ,secret>y ( ,homel&  
,security1 may designate specifically   
def9$ gr\ps ( ali5s--  7,i7 ^:          
resettlem5t 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates is ju/ifi$
 by humanit>ian conc]ns or is o!rwise 9 
! national int]e/2 &  7,,ii7 :o-- 7aa7  
%>e common *>act]i/ics t id5tify !m z   
t>gets ( p]secution on acc\nt ( race1   
religion1 nationality1 memb]%ip 9 a     
p>ticul> social gr\p1 or political      
op9ion2 or  7bb7 hav+ be5 id5tifi$ z    
t>gets "u item 7aa71 %>e a common ne$ = 
resettlem5t due to a specific           
vuln]ability4  7ii7 ,an ali5 :o         
e/abli%es memb]%ip 9 a gr\p designat$ "u
 clause 7i7 to ! satisfaction ( !       
,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security %all be   
consid]$ a refugee = purposes (         
admission z a refugee "u ?is section    
unless ! ,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security  
det]m9es t su* ali5 ord]$1 incit$1      
assi/$1 or o!rwise p>ticipat$ 9 !       
p]secution ( any p]son on acc\nt ( race1
 religion1 nationality1 memb]%ip 9 a    
p>ticul> social gr\p1 or political      

op9ion4  7iii7 ,a designation "u clause 
7i7 is = purposes ( adjudicatory        
effici5cy & may be revok$ by ! ,secret>y
 ( ,/ate at any "t aft] notification to 
,congress4  7iv7 ,categories ( ali5s    
e/abli%$ "u section #eii;,d7b7 ( !      
,=eign ,op]ations1 ,export ,f9anc+1 &   
,relat$ ,programs ,appropriations ,act1 
#aiij 7,public ,law #aja-afg2 #h        
,u4,s4,c4 #aaeg note7--  7,i7 %all be   
designat$ "u clause 7i7 until ! end ( ! 
fir/ fiscal ye> comm5c+ aft] ! date ( ! 
enactm5t ( ! ,,fir/ ,fre$om ,act2 &     
7,,ii7 %all be eligible = designation   
!reaft] at ! discretion ( ! ,secret>y ( 
,/ate1 consid]+1 among o!r factors1 :e!r
 a c\ntry "u consid]ation has be5       
designat$ z a c\ntry ( p>ticul> conc]n  
"u section #djb ( ,int]national         
,religi\s ,fre$om ,act ( #aiih 7#bb     
,u4,s4,c4 #fddb7 = engag+ 9 or tol]at+  
sy/ematic1 ongo+1 & egregi\s violations 
( religi\s fre$om4  7v7 ,a designation  
"u clause 7i7 %all n influ5ce decisions 
to grant1 to any ali51 asylum "u section

 #bjh1 protection "u section            
#bda7;b77#c71 or protection "u !        
,conv5tion ,aga9/ ,torture & ,o!r       
,cruel1 ,inhuman or ,degrad+ ,treatm5t  
or ,puni%m5t1 done at ,new ,york        
,decemb] #aj1 #aihd4  7vi7 ,a decision  
to d5y admission "u ?is section to an   
ali5 :o e/abli%es to ! satisfaction ( ! 
,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security t ! ali5  
is a memb] ( a gr\p designat$ "u clause 
7i7 %all--  7,i7 be 9 writ+2 &  7,,ii7  
/ate1 to ! maximum ext5t feasible1 !    
reason = ! d5ial4  7vii7 ,refugees      
admitt$ pursuant to a designation "u    
clause 7i7-- 7,i7 %all be subject to !  
num]ical limitations "u subsection 7a72 
&  7,,ii7 %all be admissible "u ?is     
section4  4  7b7 ,"t limits = fil+ =    
asylum ,section #bjh7;a77#b7 ( !        
,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h    
,u4,s4,c4 #aaeh7;a77#b77 is am5d$--     
7#a7 9 subp>agraph 7,a71 by ins]t+ or ! 
,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security aft]      
,attorney ,g5]al bo? places su* t]m     
appe>s2  7#b7 by /rik+ subp>agraphs 7,b7

 & 7,d72  7#c7 by r$esignat+ subp>agraph
 7,c7 z subp>agraph 7,b72  7#d7 9       
subp>agraph 7,b71 z r$esignat$1 by /rik+
 subp>agraph 7,d7 & ins]t+ subp>agraphs 
7,c7 & 7,d72 &  7#e7 by ins]t+ aft]     
subp>agraph 7,b71 z r$esignat$1 !       
foll[+3  7,c7 ,*ang$ circum/ances       
,not)/&+ subp>agraph 7,b71 an           
application = asylum ( an ali5 may be   
consid]$ if ! ali5 demon/rates1 to !    
satisfaction ( ! ,attorney ,g5]al or !  
,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security1 ! exi/5ce
 ( *ang$ circum/ances t mat]ially affect
 ! applicant's eligibility = asylum4    
7,d7 ,motion to reop5 c]ta9 m]itori\s   
claims ,not)/&+ subp>agraph 7,b7 or     
section #bdj7;c77#g71 an ali5 may file a
 motion to reop5 an asylum claim dur+ ! 
#b-ye> p]iod beg9n+ on ! date ( !       
enactm5t ( ! ,,fir/ ,fre$om ,act if !   
ali5--  7i7 0 d5i$ asylum bas$ solely ^u
 a failure to meet ! #a-ye> application 
fil+ deadl9e 9 effect on ! date on :i* !
 application 0 fil$2  7ii7 0 grant$     
)hold+ ( removal pursuant to section    

#bda7;b77#c7 & has n obta9$ lawful      
p]man5t resid5ce 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates      
pursuant to any o!r provision ( law2    
7iii7 is n subject to ! safe ?ird c\ntry
 exception "u subp>agraph 7,a7 or a b>  
to asylum "u subsection 7b77#b7 & %\ld n
 be d5i$ asylum z a matt] ( discretion2 
&  7iv7 is physically pres5t 9 ! ,unit$ 
,/ates :5 ! motion is fil$4  4  7c7     
,conditions = grant+ asylum ,section    
#bjh7;b77#a77;,b77i7 ( ! ,immigration & 
,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4         
#aaeh7;b77#a77;,b77i77 is am5d$ by /rik+
 at lea/ "o c5tral reason = p]secut+ !  
applicant & ins]t+ a factor 9 !         
applicant's p]secution or fe> (         
p]secution4  7d7 ,/udy on ! effect (    
exp$it$ removal & process+ delays on    
asylum claims  7#a7 ,/udy  7,a7         
,def9itions ,9 ?is p>agraph-- 7i7 ! t]m 
immigration (fic] means an (fic] ( !    
,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security p]=m+     
duties "u section #bce7;b7 ( !          
,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h    
,u4,s4,c4 #abbe7;b77 ) respect to ali5s 

:o--  7,i7 are appreh5d$ aft] ent]+ !   
,unit$ ,/ates2 &  7,,ii7 may be eligible
 to apply = asylum "u section #bjh or   
#bce ( su* ,act2 &  7ii7 ! t]m improp]  
conduct means conduct :]eby an          
immigration (fic]-- 7,i7 improp]ly      
enc\rages an ali5 describ$ 9 clause 7i7 
to )draw or retract claims = asylum2    
7,,ii7 incorrectly fails to ref] su* an 
ali5 = an int]view by an immigration    
(fic] to det]m9e :e!r ! ali5 has a      
cr$ible fe> ( p]secution 7z def9$ 9     
section #bce7;b77#a77;,b77v7 ( su* ,act 
7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abbe7;b77#a77;,b77v7772  
7,,iii7 incorrectly removes su* an ali5 
to a c\ntry 9 :i* ! ali5 may be         
p]secut$2 or  7,,iv7 deta9s su* an ali5 
improp]ly or "u inappropriate           
conditions4  7,b7 ,au?orization ,!      
,unit$ ,/ates ,commission on            
,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om 7ref]r$ 
to 9 ?is section z ! ,commission7 is    
au?oriz$ to conduct a /udy to det]m9e-- 
7i7 :e!r immigration (fic]s are engag+ 9
 improp] conduct2 &  7ii7 ! impact (    

delays 9 int]views by immigration (fic]s
 & immigration c\rt he>+s on asylum     
claims4  7#b7 ,report ,n lat] ?an #b    
ye>s aft] ! date on :i* ! ,commission   
initiates ! /udy "u subsection 7a71 !   
,commission %all submit a report conta9+
 ! results ( ! /udy to--  7,a7 !        
,committee on ,homel& ,security &       
,gov]nm5tal ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate2  7,b7 !
 ,committee on ! ,judici>y ( ! ,s5ate2  
7,c7 ! ,committee on ,=eign ,relations (
 ! ,s5ate2  7,d7 ! ,committee on ,homel&
 ,security ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives2 
7,e7 ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y ( !    
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives2 &  7,f7 !      
,committee on ,=eign ,affairs ( ! ,h\se 
( ,repres5tatives4  7#c7 ,/aff  7,a7 ,f 
o!r ag5cies  7i7 ,id5tification ,!      
,commission may id5tify employees ( !   
,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security1 !        
,dep>tm5t ( ,ju/ice1 & ! ,gov]nm5t      
,acc\ntability ,(fice :o h significant  
exp]tise & k ( refugee & asylum issues4 
7ii7 ,designation ,at ! reque/ ( !      
,commission1 ! ,secret>y ( ,homel&      

,security1 ! ,attorney ,g5]al1 & !      
,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates    
%all au?orize /aff id5tifi$ "u          
subp>agraph 7,a7 to assi/ ! ,commission 
9 conduct+ ! /udy "u p>agraph 7#a74     
7,b7 ,additional /aff ,! ,commission may
 hire additional /aff & consultants to  
conduct ! /udy "u p>agraph 7#a74  7,c7  
,access to proce$+s  7i7 ,9 g5]al       
,except z provid$ 9 clause 7ii71 !      
,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security & !       
,attorney ,g5]al %all provide /aff      
designat$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7 or hir$ "u
 subp>agraph 7,b7 ) unre/rict$ access to
 all /ages ( all proce$+s conduct$ "u   
section #bce7;b7 ( ! ,immigration &     
,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4         
#abbe7;b774  7ii7 ,exceptions ,!        
,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security & !       
,attorney ,g5]al may n p]mit unre/rict$ 
access "u clause 7i7 if--  7,i7 ! ali5  
subject to a proce$+ "u su* section     
#bce7;b7 objects to su* access2 or      
7,,ii7 ! ,secret>y or ,attorney ,g5]al  
det]m9es t ! security ( a p>ticul>      

proce$+ w\ld be ?reat5$ by su* access4  
#d4 ,acc\ntability = sev]e violations ( 
int]national religi\s fre$om  7a7       
,p>ticul>ly sev]e violations ( religi\s 
fre$om  7#a7 ,inadmissibility ,section  
#bab7;a77#b77;,g7 ( ! ,immigration &    
,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4         
#aahb7;a77#b77;,g77 is am5d$ to read z  
foll[s3  7,g7 ,ali5s :o h committ$      
p>ticul>ly sev]e violations ( religi\s  
fre$om ,any ali5 :o 0 responsible =1 or 
directly c>ri$ out1 at any "t1          
p>ticul>ly sev]e violations ( religi\s  
fre$om 7z def9$ 9 section #c ( !        
,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om ,act (  
#aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdjb77 is         
inadmissible4  4  7#b7 ,removability    
,section #bcg7;a77#d77;,e7 ( !          
,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h    
,u4,s4,c4 #abbg7;a77#d77;,e77 is am5d$  
to read z foll[s3  7,e7 ,ali5s :o h     
committ$ p>ticul>ly sev]e violations (  
religi\s fre$om ,any ali5 :o 0          
responsible =1 or directly c>ri$ out1 at
 any "t1 p>ticul>ly sev]e violations (  

religi\s fre$om 7z def9$ 9 section #c ( 
! ,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om ,act (
 #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdjb77 is        
deportable4  4  7b7 ,religi\s p]secution
 ,*apt] #aah ( title #ah1 ,unit$ ,/ates 
,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end !      
foll[+3  #bddc4 ,religi\s p]secution    
7a7 ,(f5se ,any p]son :o outside !      
,unit$ ,/ates commits1 or attempts or   
conspires to commit1 religi\s           
p]secution--  7#a7 %all be f9$ "u ?is   
title1 imprison$ = n m ?an #bj ye>s1 or 
bo?2 &  7#b7 if ! dea? ( any p]son      
results f ! violation ( ?is subsection1 
%all be f9$ "u ?is title & imprison$ =  
any t]m ( ye>s or = life4  7b7          
,jurisdiction ,!re is jurisdiction ov]  
an (f5se "u subsection 7a71 & any       
attempt or conspiracy to commit su* an  
(f5se1 if--  7#a7 ! victim is a ,unit$  
,/ates p]son2  7#b7 ! (f5d] is a ,unit$ 
,/ates p]son or an ali5 resid+ 9 !      
,unit$ ,/ates1 reg>dless ( :e!r ! ali5  
is lawfully admitt$ = p]man5t resid5ce2 
7#c7 ! (f5d] is a /ateless p]son ^:     

habitual resid5ce is 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 
or  7#d7 aft] ! conduct requir$ = !     
(f5se occurs1 ! (f5d] is br\ght into or 
f\nd 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 ev5 if ! conduct
 requir$ = ! (f5se occurs outside !     
,unit$ ,/ates4  7c7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is  
section3 7#a7 ,admission to ! unit$     
/ates2 ali52 immigrant2 lawfully admitt$
 = p]man5t resid5ce2 nonimmigrant ,!    
t]ms admission to ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 ali51
 immigrant1 lawfully admitt$ = p]man5t  
resid5ce1 & nonimmigrant h ! mean+s giv5
 su* t]ms 9 section #aja7;a7 ( !        
,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h    
,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;a774  7#b7 ,religi\s   
p]secution ,! t]m religi\s p]secution   
means conduct t-- 7,a7 is int5d$--  7i7 
to ob/ruct any p]son 9 ! free ex]cise ( 
religi\s belief or practice2 or  7ii7 to
 t]rorize or co]ce any p]son because ( !
 actual or p]ceiv$ religion ( any p]son2
 &  7,b7 if ! conduct describ$ 9        
subp>agraph 7,a7 occurr$ 9 ! ,unit$     
,/ates or 9 ! special m>itime &         
t]ritorial jurisdiction ( ! ,unit$      

,/ates1 w\ld violate--  7i7 section #ha 
7relat+ to arson72  7ii7 section #aaaa  
7relat+ to murd]72  7iii7 section       
#abja7;a7 7relat+ to kidnapp+71         
reg>dless ( :e!r ! (f5d] is ! p>5t ( !  
victim2  7iv7 section #abjc 7relat+ to  
ho/age tak+71 not)/&+ any exception "u  
subsection 7b7 ( su* section2  7v7      
section #aeha7;a7 7relat+ to peonage72  
7vi7 section #aehc7;a77#a7 7relat+ to   
kidnapp+ or c>ry+ away individuals =    
involunt>y s]vitude or slav]y72  7vii7  
section #aehd7;a7 7relat+ to sale into  
involunt>y s]vitude72  7viii7 section   
#aehi7;a7 7relat+ to =c$ labor72  7ix7  
section #aeij7;a7 7relat+ to traffick+ )
 respect to peonage1 slav]y1 involunt>y 
s]vitude1 or =c$ labor72  7x7 section   
#aeia7;a7 7relat+ to sex traffick+ (    
*ildr5 or by =ce1 fraud1 or co]cion72   
7xi7 section #bbda7;a7 7relat+ to       
aggravat$ sexual abuse by =ce or ?reat72
  7xii7 section #bbdb 7relat+ to sexual 
abuse72 or  7xiii7 section #bcdj;,a     
7relat+ to torture71 reg>dless ( :e!r ! 

(f5d] is act+ "u color ( law4  7#c7     
,unit$ ,/ates p]son ,! t]m ,unit$ ,/ates
 p]son has ! mean+ giv5 su* t]m 9       
section #cjgg4  4  7c7 ,/atute (        
,limitations ,*apt] #bac ( title #ah1   
,unit$ ,/ates ,code is am5d$ by add+ at 
! end ! foll[+3  #ccjb4 ,religi\s       
p]secution ,no p]son may be prosecut$1  
tri$1 or puni%$ = a violation ( section 
#bddc unless ! indictm5t or ! in=mation 
is fil$ n lat] ?an #aj ye>s aft] !      
commission ( ! (f5se4  4  7d7 ,cl]ical  
am5dm5ts ,title #ah1 ,unit$ ,/ates      
,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 ! table (      
sections = *apt] #aah1 by add+ at ! end 
! foll[+3  #bddc4 ,religi\s p]secution4 
2  &  7#b7 9 ! table ( sections = *apt] 
#bac1 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  #ccjb4
 ,religi\s p]secution4  4  #e4 ,re=m &  
reau?orization ( ,unit$ ,/ates          
,commission on ,int]national ,religi\s  
,fre$om  7a7 ,e/abli%m5t & composition  
7#a7 ,lead]%ip ,section #bja7;d7 ( !    
,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om ,act (  
#aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdca7;d77 is am5d$

 to read z foll[s3  7d7 ,election ( *air
 ,at ! fir/ meet+ ( ! ,commission aft]  
,may #cj ( ea* ye>1 a majority ( !      
memb]s ( ! ,commission pres5t & vot+    
%all elect ! ,*air & ,vice ,*air ( !    
,commission1 subject to ! foll[+        
requirem5ts3  7#a7 ,initial elections   
,at ! fir/ meet+ ( ! ,commission aft]   
,may #cj1 #bjaf1 ! memb]s ( !           
,commission %all elect--  7,a7 z ,*air1 
a memb] ( ! ,commission :o 0 appo9t$ by 
an elect$ (ficial ( ! political p>ty t  
is n ! political p>ty ( ! ,presid5t2 &  
7,b7 z ,vice ,*air1 a memb] ( !         
,commission :o 0 appo9t$ by an elect$   
(ficial ( ! political p>ty ( !          
,presid5t4  7#b7 ,future elections  7,a7
 ,next election ,at ! fir/ meet+ ( !    
,commission aft] ,may #cj1 #bjag1 !     
memb]s ( ! ,commission %all elect--  7i7
 z ,*air1 a memb] ( ! ,commission :o 0  
appo9t$ by an elect$ (ficial ( !        
political p>ty ( ! ,presid5t2 &  7ii7 z 
,vice ,*air1 a memb] ( ! ,commission :o 
0 appo9t$ by an elect$ (ficial ( !      

political p>ty t is n ! political p>ty (
 ! ,presid5t4  7,b7 ,subsequ5t elections
 ,aft] ! election describ$ 9 subp>agraph
 7,a71 ! positions ( ,*air & ,vice ,*air
 %all cont9ue to rotate on an annual    
basis betwe5 memb]s ( ! ,commission     
appo9t$ by elect$ (ficials ( ea*        
political p>ty4  7#c7 ,t]m limits ,no   
memb] ( ! ,commission is eligible to be 
elect$ z-- 7,a7 ,*air ( ! ,commission = 
a second t]m2 or  7,b7 ,vice ,*air ( !  
,commission = a second t]m4  4  7#b7    
,att5dance at meet+s ( ambassador at    
l>ge = int]national religi\s fre$om     
,section #bja7;f7 ( su* ,act 7#bb       
,u4,s4,c4 #fdca7;f77 is am5d$ by add+ at
 ! end ! foll[+3 ,! ,ambassador at ,l>ge
 %all be giv5 advance notice ( all      
,commission meet+s & may att5d all      
,commission meet+s z a nonvot+ memb] ( !
 ,commission44  7#c7 ,appo9tm5ts 9 cases
 ( vacancies ,section #bja7;g7 ( su*    
,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdca7;g77 is am5d$ 
by /rik+ ! second s5t5ce4  7b7 ,p[]s ( !
 commission ,section #bjc7;e7 ( !       

,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om ,act (  
#aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdcb;a7e77 is     
am5d$ to read z foll[s3  7e7 ,views ( ! 
,commission  7#a7 ,private spee* ,memb]s
 ( ! ,commission may speak 9 _! capacity
 z private citiz5s4 ,a memb] ( !        
,commission may be id5tifi$ z a memb] ( 
! ,commission :5 mak+ oral or writt5    
/atem5ts 9 _! private or o!r pr(essional
 capacity if ! memb] /ates cle>ly t !   
/atem5t--  7,a7 is n on behalf ( !      
,commission2 &  7,b7 does n necess>ily  
reflect ! views ( ! ,commission4  7#b7  
,(ficial /atem5ts  7,a7 ,writt5 /atem5ts
 ,all /atem5ts on behalf ( ! ,commission
 %all be issu$ 9 writ+ ov] ! names ( !  
memb]s ( ! ,commission4  7,b7 ,/atutory 
au?ority ,9 its writt5 /atem5ts1 !      
,commission %all cle>ly describe its    
/atutory au?ority1 di/+ui%+ t au?ority f
 t ( appo9t$ or elect$ (ficials ( !     
,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t4 ,oral /atem5ts 
( ! ,commission %all include a simil>   
description1 to ! ext5t practicable4    
7,c7 ,cons5sus ,memb]s ( ! ,commission  

%all make e ef=t to rea* cons5sus on all
 oral or writt5 /atem5ts on behalf ( !  
,commission4  7,d7 ,approval ,all views 
( ! ,commission on p5d+ legislation or  
any o!r matt] "u ! jurisdiction ( !     
,commission %all be approv$ by an       
affirmative vote ( at lea/ #f ( ! #i    
memb]s ( ! ,commission4 ,ea* memb] ( !  
,commission may include ! individual or 
diss5t+ views ( ! memb]4  7,e7 ,accuracy
 ,all oral or writt5 /atem5ts by memb]s 
or /aff ( ! ,commission on behalf ( !   
,commission1 includ+ te/imony1 press    
releases1 articles1 & public or private 
correspond5ce1 %all accurately reflect  
approv$ views ( ! ,commission 9         
accordance ) subp>agraph 7,d74  4  7c7  
,commission p]sonnel matt]s  ,section   
#bjd ( ! ,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om
 ,act ( #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdcb;b7 is
 am5d$-- 7#a7 9 subsection 7a7--  7,a7  
by /rik+ or t]m9ate an ,executive       
,director & ins]t+ an ,executive        
,director & additional p]sonnel2 &  7,b7
 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 ,! decision 

to t]m9ate an ,executive ,director &    
additional p]sonnel %all be made by an  
affirmative vote ( at lea/ #e ( ! #i    
memb]s ( ! ,commission42  7#b7 by       
r$esignat+ subsections 7b7 ?r\gh 7g7 z  
subsections 7c7 ?r\gh 7h72  7#c7 by     
ins]t+ aft] subsection 7a7 ! foll[+3    
7b7 ,executive ,director  7#a7          
,appo9tm5t ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] !  
date ( ! enactm5t ( ! ,,fir/ ,fre$om    
,act1 ! ,commission %all appo9t an      
,executive ,director by an affirmative  
vote ( at lea/ #f ( ! #i memb]s ( !     
,commission4  7#b7 ,t]m ( s]vice ,ea*   
,executive ,director-- 7,a7 may s]ve = a
 #d-ye> t]m2 &  7,b7 may s]ve an        
additional1 consecutive #d-ye> t]m if   
reappo9t$ by ! ,commission by an        
affirmative vote ( at lea/ #f ( ! #i    
memb]s ( ! ,commission4  2  7#d7 9      
subsection 7d71 z r$esignat$1 by /rik+ &
 ! ,executive ,director2  7#e7 9        
subsection 7g71 z r$esignat$1 by /rik+ !
 commission1 = ! executive director1 &  
ins]t+ ! ,commission1 = ! ,executive    

,director12 &  7#f7 9 subsection 7h71 z 
r$esignat$-- 7,a7 by /rik+ ,= purposes &
 ins]t+ ! foll[+3  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,=     
purposes  2  7,b7 by ins]t+ 7includ+    
discrim9ation on ! bases ( race1 color1 
religion1 sex1 national orig91 age1 or  
disability7 aft] employm5t              
discrim9ation2 &  7,c7 by add+ at ! end 
! foll[+3  7#b7 ,treatm5t (             
discrim9ation on basis ( sexual         
ori5tation or g5d] id5tity ,9 apply+    
p>agraph 7#a7 to rights & protections t 
p]ta9 to employm5t discrim9ation on !   
basis ( sex1 & ! rem$ies & proc$ures    
available to address alleg$ violations (
 su* rights & protections1 ! laws1      
rules1 & regulations t provide su*      
rights & protections to employees ^: pay
 is disburs$ by ! ,secret>y ( ! ,s5ate  
or ! ,*ief ,adm9i/rative ,(fic] ( !     
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives %all be deem$ to
 recognize discrim9ation on ! basis (   
sexual ori5tation or g5d] id5tity z =ms 
( discrim9ation on ! basis ( sex & %all 
treat su* discrim9ation 9 ! same mann] z

 discrim9ation on ! basis ( sex4  4  7d7
 ,report ( ,commission  ,section #bje ( 
! ,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om ,act (
 #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdcc7 is am5d$-- 
7#a7 9 subsection 7a71 by /rik+ ,n lat] 
?an ,may #a ( ea* ye>1 & ins]t+ ,ea*    
ye>1 betwe5 #cj & #ij days aft] !       
publication ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate's     
,annual ,report on ,int]national        
,religi\s ,fre$om12 &  7#b7 by am5d+    
subsection 7c7 to read z foll[s3  7c7   
,individual or diss5t+ views ,memb]s ( !
 ,commission %all make e ef=t to rea*   
cons5sus on ! report "u ?is section4 ,:5
 su* cons5sus is n possible1 ! report   
%all be approv$ by an affirmative vote (
 at lea/ #f ( ! #i memb]s ( !           
,commission4 ,ea* memb] ( ! ,commission 
may include ! individual or diss5t+     
views ( ! memb] 9 ! report4  4  7e7     
,applicability ( ! ,fre$om ( ,in=mation 
,act  7#a7 ,section #bjf ( !            
,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om ,act (  
#aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdcd7 is am5d$--  
7,a7 by ins]t+ 7a7 ,f$]al ,advisory     

,committee ,act4-- be=e ,!2 &  7,b7 by  
add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7b7 ,fre$om (  
,in=mation ,act ,not)/&+ section #eea ( 
title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 !        
,commission %all be consid]$ to be an   
ag5cy = purposes ( section #eeb ( su*   
title4  4  7f7 ,au?orization (          
appropriations ,section #bjg7;a7 ( !    
,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om ,act (  
#aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdce7;a77 is am5d$
 by /rik+ #bjae & ins]t+ #bjag4  7g7    
,t]m9ation ,section #bji ( !            
,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om ,act (  
#aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fdcf7 is am5d$ by 
/rik+ ,septemb] #cj1 #bjae & ins]t+     
,septemb] #cj1 #bjag4