Border security and immigration

This bill waives certain requirements for U.S. nationals applying for citizenship.

Currently, individuals born in an outlying possession (i.e., American Samoa or Swains Island) are U.S. nationals but do not automatically acquire citizenship through birth in an outlying possession.

Under this bill, a U.S. national who otherwise qualifies may become a citizen upon establishing residence and physical presence in a U.S. outlying possession. Currently, U.S. nationals must become a resident of a state to qualify for naturalization.

The bill also waives certain naturalization requirements, including those related to English language proficiency and participation in a public ceremony, for individuals who have continuously resided in an outlying possession or state from birth to the approval of a naturalization application.

Furthermore, upon meeting other requirements, this bill allows a child born abroad of a U.S. citizen parent to acquire citizenship by establishing presence and residency in an outlying possession, where currently such a child must be lawfully present in the United States to acquire citizenship through this method.

Preserving Integrity in Immigration Benefits Act

This bill requires the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to review certain approved immigration benefit requests for proper approval. The review must include requests approved during the period starting on January 20, 2021, and ending on the date of enactment of this bill.

Immigration benefit requests covered by this bill include those conferred during this period to individuals from the following countries: Angola, Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, the Gambia, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This also includes individuals traveling using documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.

The bill requires USCIS to report on any findings by September 15, 2026.

Strengthening Immigration Procedures Act of 2025

This bill allows an individual to raise a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel with respect to an immigration matter, including any matter concerning a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) pending before the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Justice. This claim must be based on allegations of deficient performance by the individual’s prior counsel and that the deficient performance prejudiced the immigration proceeding.

The bill applies to any immigration case or proceeding that is pending as of the date of enactment, has commenced after the date of enactment, or is fully adjudicated before the date of enactment.

Border Security is National Security Act

This bill authorizes appropriations through FY2028 for the Department of Defense to provide border security support to the Department of Homeland Security.