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HR 651 113th Congress House

Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act

Official title: To modify provisions of law relating to refugee resettlement, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 13, 2013 See on congress.gov
Immigration Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAdoption and foster careAfghanistan
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AsiaCaribbean areaChild safety and welfareCongressional oversightCrime victimsCubaDepartment of Homeland SecurityEmployment and training programsExecutive Office of the PresidentExecutive agency funding and structureFamily relationshipsForeign language and bilingual programsGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHaitiHuman traffickingImmigration status and proceduresIraqLatin AmericaMiddle EastPoverty and welfare assistanceRefugees, asylum, displaced personsVisas and passports
This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 8, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration And Border Security.
Feb 19, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.
Feb 13, 2013
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 13, 2013
Introduced in House
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 Latest action April 8, 2013

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration And Border Security.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to work with the heads of other relevant federal agencies to conduct a review of refugee processing with the goal of streamlining processing, consistent with maintaining security.

Directs the Secretary of State (Secretary) to establish overseas refugee English language and work orientation training programs prior to the departure for the United States of refugees who have been approved for U.S. admission.

Permits: (1) refugees (and their spouses and children) to be admitted to the United States as lawful permanent residents, and (2) asylum seekers (and their spouses and children) to be granted lawful permanent residency.

Directs the Secretary when setting the amount of reception and placement grants to: (1) adjust the grant amount to account for anticipated initial refugee resettlement needs, and (2) ensure that funding is provided to national resettlement agencies at the beginning of the fiscal year.

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should appoint a White House Coordinator on Refugee Protection.

Requires the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (Director) to make grants to national resettlement agencies to operate a case management system to assist individuals access eligible services, benefits, and assistance provided by the Office, federal, state, or local agencies, and private or nonprofit organizations.

Requires the Office, subject to available appropriations, to provide refugees with a minimum of 12 months' assistance and social services for employment, health, and living expenses.

Authorizes the Director to award grants to community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and resettlement agencies for programs to assist newcomers integrate into U.S. civic life.

Expands eligibility for, and participation in, the refugee matching grant program (federal-private refugee assistance).

Establishes a Domestic Emergency Refugee Resettlement Fund to meet unanticipated refugee resettlement needs.

Makes SSI (supplemental security income) benefits available to qualified aliens, U-visa aliens (victim of criminal activity), or certain T-visa aliens (victims of trafficking in persons) who were ineligible for such benefits because of their failure to acquire citizenship within seven years.

Makes a child who has been granted special immigrant status as a victim of criminal activity (U-visa) eligible for specified refugee benefits.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 651: Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-651/
MLA
"H.R. 651: Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-651/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 651, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-651/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 651: Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-651/)
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