Bill Summary
This legislation, titled the PACT Act, addresses Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria and its impact on the United States. It calls for targeted sanctions against Turkish officials involved in the invasion, prohibits the transfer of defense articles or technology to Turkey, and requires plans and reports to address national security threats. It also requires reports on the net worth and income of Turkish President Erdogan, a strategy to prevent ISIS resurgence, and a report on accountability for violations of international law in Syria. The legislation also designates certain Syrian refugees as Priority 2 and sets a three-year sunset for the Act.
Possible Impacts
1. Individuals and businesses that provide arms or technology to the Turkish Armed Forces in Syria will face targeted sanctions and restrictions, disrupting their operations and potentially harming their finances.
2. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his family will be subject to investigation and scrutiny of their net worth and income, potentially affecting their reputation and political standing.
3. The United States Refugee Program will prioritize admitting Syrian refugees who have been affected by Turkey's military invasion, potentially providing much-needed assistance to those displaced by the conflict.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4695 Received in Senate (RDS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4695
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 30, 2019
Received
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To impose sanctions with respect to Turkey, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Protect Against Conflict by Turkey
Act'' or the ``PACT Act''.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States and Turkey have been treaty allies
since 1952, when Turkey became a member of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO);
(2) being a NATO member means that Turkey is treaty bound
to safeguard the principles of democracy, individual liberty,
and the rule of law and, importantly, should be united with
other NATO allies in efforts for collective defense and the
preservation of peace and security;
(3) Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria on October
9, 2019, is an unacceptable and unnecessary escalation of
tensions with the potential to cause a severe humanitarian
crisis and undo the collective gains made in the fight against
the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) by the United States
and the 81 countries and organizations of the Global Coalition
to Defeat ISIS, including NATO and the European Union (EU);
(4) Turkey should immediately cease attacks against the
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Kurdish and Arab civilians, and
other religious and ethnic minority communities in northern
Syria and recall its forces back to Turkey;
(5) targeted sanctions against Turkey are an appropriate
response in order for Turkey to be held accountable for its
military invasion of northern Syria;
(6) Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria is the
latest example of the weakening and problematic United States-
Turkey bilateral relationship and undermines the security of
the United States and its NATO allies, including that of
Turkey;
(7) the SDF have been critical partners to United States
and allied counter-ISIS and broader counterterrorism efforts in
Syria, and the United States should continue this partnership
with the SDF;
(8) the United States Government should utilize diplomatic
and military tools to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS;
(9) the United States should stand by critical allies and
partners;
(10) Russian and Iranian political and military influence
in Syria present a threat to United States national security
interests; and
(11) the United States Government, in concert with the
international community, should hold accountable members of the
Syrian regime and the Governments of the Russian Federation and
Iran for atrocities against the Syrian people.
SEC. 3. SANCTIONS AGAINST SENIOR TURKISH OFFICIALS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 15 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the President shall impose the sanctions
described in section 14 with respect to the following foreign persons
in connection with Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria on
October 9, 2019:
(1) The Minister of National Defense of Turkey.
(2) The Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed
Forces.
(3) The Commander of the 2nd Army of the Turkish Armed
Forces.
(4) The Minister of Treasury and Finance of Turkey.
(b) Additional Sanctions.--
(1) List.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation
with the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National
Intelligence, shall submit to the President and appropriate
congressional committees a list of the following foreign
persons in connection with Turkey's military invasion of
northern Syria on October 9, 2019:
(A) Senior Turkish defense officials involved in
the decision to invade northern Syria.
(B) Senior Turkish military officials leading
attacks against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF),
Kurdish and Arab civilians, or other religious or
ethnic minority communities in northern Syria.
(C) Turkish officials significantly facilitating
Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria.
(D) Any Turkish official or member of the Turkish
Armed Forces who is responsible for, complicit in, or
has directly or indirectly engaged, or has attempted to
engage, in any of the following relating to Turkey's
military invasion of northern Syria:
(i) A violation of the law of armed
conflict.
(ii) A gross violation of internationally
recognized human rights.
(2) Updates.--The list required under paragraph (1) shall
be updated every 60 days, until the sanctions under this
section are terminated in accordance with section 7.
(3) Imposition of sanctions.--Not later than 15 days after
submission of the list required under paragraph (1) and each
update relating thereto in accordance with paragraph (2), the
President shall impose the sanctions described in section 14
with respect to foreign persons identified in such list and
related updates.
(c) Waiver.--
(1) In general.--The President may waive, on a case-by-case
basis and for a period of not more than 90 days, the imposition
of sanctions under this section with respect to a foreign
person if the President--
(A) determines that--
(i) it is vital to the national security
interests of the United States to do so; and
(ii) Turkey--
(I) has halted attacks against the
SDF, Kurdish and Arab civilians, and
other religious and ethnic minority
communities in northern Syria; and
(II) is not hindering counter-
terrorism operations against ISIS; and
(B) not later than 15 days before issuing such a
waiver, submits to the appropriate congressional
committees a justification relating to such
determination.
(2) Renewal of waivers.--The President may, on a case-by-
case basis, renew a waiver under paragraph (1) for an
additional period of not more than 90 days if, not later than
15 days before such a waiver expires, the President determines
it is vital to the national security interests of the United
States to do so and submits to the appropriate congressional
committees a justification relating to such determination.
SEC. 4. PROHIBITION ON ARMS TRANSFERS TO TURKISH MILITARY UNITS IN
SYRIA.
(a) Prohibition.--No United States defense articles, defense
services, or technology under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C.
2751 et seq.) may be transferred to the Government of Turkey if such
articles, services, or technology could be used in operations by the
Turkish Armed Forces in northern Syria.
(b) Exception.--The prohibition under subsection (a) shall not
apply to transfers for ultimate end use by the United States military
or for use in military operations approved by the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization.
(c) No Use of Emergency Authority.--The authority of the President
to waive statutory congressional review periods under the Arms Export
Control Act in cases in which an emergency exists shall not apply to
the transfer of defense articles, defense services, or technology to
the Government of Turkey.
SEC. 5. SANCTIONS AGAINST FOREIGN PERSONS PROVIDING ARMS TO TURKISH
ARMED FORCES IN SYRIA.
(a) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Director of
National Intelligence, shall submit to the President and
appropriate congressional committees a list of any foreign
persons determined to knowingly have provided, on or after such
date of enactment, defense articles, defense services, or
technology (as such terms are defined and described in the Arms
Export Control Act) to the Government of Turkey if such
articles, services, or technology could be used in operations
by the Turkish Armed Forces in northern Syria.
(2) Updates.--The list required under paragraph (1) shall
be updated every 60 days or as new information becomes
available, until the sanctions under this section are
terminated in accordance with section 7.
(b) Imposition of Sanctions.--The President shall impose the
sanctions described in section 14 with respect to any foreign persons
identified on the list and related updates required under subsection
(a).
(c) Exception.--The sanctions imposed pursuant to this section
shall not apply to transfers for ultimate end use by the United States
military or for use in military operations approved by the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization.
(d) Waiver.--
(1) In general.--The President may waive, on a case-by-case
basis and for a period of not more than 90 days, the imposition
of sanctions under this section with respect to a foreign
person if the President determines it is important to the
national security interests of the United States to do so and,
not later than 15 days before issuing such a waiver, submits to
the appropriate congressional committees a justification
relating to such determination.
(2) Renewal of waivers.--The President may, on a case-by-
case basis, renew a waiver under paragraph (1) for an
additional period of not more than 90 days if, not later than
15 days before such a waiver expires, the President determines
it is important to the national security interests of the
United States to do so and submits to the appropriate
congressional committees a justification relating to such
determination.
SEC. 6. TARGETED FOREIGN FINANCIAL SANCTIONS.
(a) Halk Bankasi or Halkbank.--Not later than 15 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the President shall impose the sanctions
described in section 14(1) with respect to Halk Bankas( or Halkbank or
any successor entity thereof.
(b) Financial Institutions.--
(1) In general.--If the Secretary of State, in consultation
with the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Treasury, and
Director of National Intelligence, determines that any foreign
financial institution, in addition to the foreign financial
institutions specified in subsection (a), has knowingly
facilitated significant transactions for the Turkish Armed
Forces or defense industry relating to Turkey's military
invasion of northern Syria on October 9, 2019, the President
shall, not later than 60 days after any such determination,
impose the sanctions described in section 14(1) with respect to
any such foreign financial institution.
(2) Waiver.--
(A) In general.--The President may waive, on a
case-by-case basis and for a period of not more than 90
days, the imposition of sanctions under this subsection
if the President--
(i) determines that--
(I) it is vital to the national
security interests of the United States
to do so; and
(II) Turkey--
(aa) has halted attacks
against the Syrian Democratic
Forces, Kurdish and Arab
civilians, and other religious
and ethnic minority communities
in northern Syria; and
(bb) is not hindering
counter-terrorism operations
against ISIS; and
(ii) not later than 15 days before issuing
such a waiver, submits to the appropriate
congressional committees a justification
relating to such determination.
(B) Renewal of waivers.--The President may, on a
case-by-case basis, renew a waiver under subparagraph
(A) for an additional period of not more than 90 days
if, not later than 15 days before such a waiver
expires, the President determines it is vital to the
national security interests of the United States to do
so and submits to the appropriate congressional
committees a justification relating to such
determination.
SEC. 7. TERMINATION AUTHORITY.
(a) Sections 3, 4, and 5.--The authority to impose sanctions under
sections 3 and 5 (and the sanctions imposed pursuant to such sections)
and the prohibitions under section 4 shall terminate if the President
determines and submits to the appropriate congressional committees a
finding that--
(1) Turkey has halted attacks against the Syrian Democratic
Forces, Kurdish and Arab civilians, and other religious and
ethnic minority communities in northern Syria;
(2) Turkish forces not involved in coordinated operations
with NATO allies or the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS have
withdrawn from northern Syria; and
(3) Turkey is not hindering counter-terrorism operations
against ISIS.
(b) Section 6.--The authority to impose financial sanctions under
section 6 (and the sanctions imposed pursuant to such section) shall
terminate if the President determines and submits to the appropriate
congressional committees the finding described in subsection (a)(1).
SEC. 8. IMPOSITION OF CERTAIN SANCTIONS UNDER COUNTERING AMERICA'S
ADVERSARIES THROUGH SANCTIONS ACT AGAINST TURKEY.
(a) Determination.--For the purposes of section 231 of the
Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C.
9525), Turkey's acquisition of the Russian S-400 air and missile
defense system beginning July 12, 2019, shall be considered to be a
significant transaction described in such section.
(b) Sanctions.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the President shall impose five or more of the
sanctions described in section 235 of the Countering America's
Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 9529) with respect to the
Government of Turkey.
SEC. 9. PLANS AND REPORTS TO ADDRESS NATIONAL SECURITY THREATS CAUSED
BY TURKEY'S MILITARY INVASION OF NORTHERN SYRIA.
Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act--
(1) the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees--
(A) a plan to ensure that ISIS detainees and
families held in Syria remain under proper custody, in
accordance with internationally recognized human rights
requirements, and in a manner that does not threaten
United States security interests; and
(B) a report on the impact that Turkey's military
invasion of northern Syria is having on
counterterrorism operations in Syria; and
(2) the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a plan for how the United States will
assist the Syrian Democratic Forces, Kurdish and Arab
civilians, and other religious and ethnic minority communities
affected by Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria on
October 9, 2019.
SEC. 10. REPORT ON NET WORTH OF TURKISH PRESIDENT RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN.
Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the
Treasury and the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on the estimated net
worth and known sources of income of Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan and his family members (including spouse, children, parents,
and siblings), including assets, investments, other business interests,
and relevant beneficial ownership information.
SEC. 11. REPORT ON TURKEY'S MILITARY INVASION OF NORTHERN SYRIA.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Russian Federation and Iran continue to--
(A) exploit a security vacuum in Syria; and
(B) pose a threat to vital United States national
security interests; and
(2) continued Turkish military activity inside Syria will
negatively impact the national security interest and regional
stability of the United States.
(b) Report Required.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator
of the United States Agency for International Development, and
the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall submit
to the appropriate congressional committees a report on
Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria on October 9,
2019, including the impact of the withdrawal of United States
troops from northern Syria. The Secretary of State shall
provide an updated report or briefing to the appropriate
congressional committees as circumstances warrant.
(2) Elements of the report.--The report, and any update
thereto, required under paragraph (1) shall include the
following elements:
(A) A description of the impact of Turkey's
military invasion of northern Syria on the ability of
ISIS to reconstitute a physical caliphate.
(B) A description of the impact of the invasion on
the Russian Federation's military and political
influence in Syria.
(C) A description of the impact of the invasion on
Iran's ability to increase its military and political
influence in Syria.
(D) A comprehensive assessment of the United States
Government's activities to counter Iranian and Russian
Federation influence in Syria.
(E) An outline of planned joint actions by the
Department of State and the Department of Defense, in
consultation with the heads of the other appropriate
Federal agencies, regarding all stabilization funds or
activities for Syria, and an explanation of how such
funds and activities can contribute to stabilization in
the current environment and without limited United
States troop presence in northern Syria.
(F) The creation and use by the Government of
Turkey of ``safe zones'' to justify the involuntary or
uninformed return of Syrian refugees from Turkey to
Syrian territory, to justify the forced displacement of
Syrians inside Syria, or to prevent Syrians from
seeking international protections.
(G) The role of the Government of Turkey and
Turkish-backed forces in facilitating humanitarian
actors, including international nongovernmental
organizations (INGOs), for cross-border work from
Turkey and in ensuring efficient, open supply lines for
humanitarian assistance and personnel through border
crossing points on the Turkey-Syria and Iraq-Syria
borders, and facilitating safe passage of humanitarian
assistance to Syrians inside Syria based on need.
(H) The actions of the Government of Turkey and
Turkish-backed forces in the operation of all camps for
families displaced by conflict as civilian facilities,
and ensuring that camp residents, in particular women
and children, are treated as civilian victims of
conflict in accordance with international law and
standards.
(I) The actions of the Government of Turkey and
Turkish-backed forces in taking effective measures to
protect civilians and civilian infrastructure,
including health facilities, water pumping stations,
and restricting use of explosive weapons in populated
areas.
SEC. 12. STRATEGY TO PREVENT THE RESURGENCE OF THE ISLAMIC STATE OF
IRAQ AND SYRIA (ISIS) AND ITS AFFILIATES.
(a) Strategy Required.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with
the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of the United States Agency
for International Development, and the heads of other appropriate
Federal agencies, shall jointly submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a strategy to prevent the resurgence of Islamic State of
Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria.
(b) Elements of the Strategy.--The strategy required under
subsection (a) shall include the following elements:
(1) A summary of the United States national security
interests in Iraq and Syria and the impact a resurgence of ISIS
would have on such interests.
(2) A assessment of current training and support programs
by Federal agency or department, specifically focused on
countering ISIS and other terrorist organizations, including
non-lethal assistance, training, and organizational capacity
for the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Iraqi Security Forces,
the Kurdish Peshmerga, and others to counter gains by ISIS and
its affiliates.
(3) A description of United States Government efforts to
support, develop, and expand local governance structures in
areas in Syria previously liberated from ISIS control.
(4) An estimate of the number of current, active ISIS
members in Iraq and Syria, including an assessment of those
being held in detainee camps or prisons.
(5) A comprehensive plan to address ISIS detainees
currently being held in Syria and Iraq, including the following
elements:
(A) The designation of an existing official within
the Department of State to serve as a senior-level
coordinator to coordinate, in conjunction with the lead
and other relevant agencies, all matters for the United
States Government relating to the long-term disposition
of ISIS foreign terrorist fighter detainees, including
all matters in connection with--
(i) repatriation, transfer, prosecution,
and intelligence-gathering;
(ii) coordinating a whole-of-government
approach with other countries and international
organizations, including INTERPOL, to ensure
secure chains of custody and locations of ISIS
foreign terrorist fighter detainees;
(iii) coordinating technical and
evidentiary assistance to foreign countries to
aid in the successful prosecution of ISIS
foreign terrorist fighter detainees; and
(iv) all multilateral and international
engagements led by the Department of State and
other agencies that are related to the current
and future handling, detention, and prosecution
of ISIS foreign terrorist fighter detainees.
(B) A description, which may be in classified form,
of ISIS senior leadership and infrastructure and
efforts to target leadership figures.
(C) A comprehensive description of United States
activities utilizing social media and other
communication technologies to counter ISIS's
propaganda, influence, and ability to recruit fighters
domestically and internationally, including with
private technology companies, and how such activities
are being coordinated across the United States
Government.
(D) A description of the efforts of the United
States Government, including economic sanctions, to
deny financial resources, including revenues from
natural resources extraction, sale of antiquities,
kidnapping, extortion, taxation, smuggling, access to
cash storage sites, and access to international
financial networks, to ISIS and its affiliates, in
conjunction with international partners and financial
institutions.
(E) A description of United States Government
efforts to support credible war crimes prosecutions
against ISIS fighters.
(F) A plan to ensure the delivery of humanitarian
assistance.
SEC. 13. REPORT ON ACCOUNTABILITY FOR VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW,
INCLUDING THE LAW OF ARMED CONFLICT, AND OTHER HARM TO
CIVILIANS IN SYRIA DURING TURKEY'S MILITARY INVASION.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) Turkish and pro-Turkish forces should end all practices
involving arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture,
arbitrary executions, and other unlawful treatment; and
(2) all stakeholders in Turkey's military invasion of
northern Syria should reveal the fate or the location of all
persons who have been subjected to enforced disappearance by
such stakeholders.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit
to the appropriate congressional committees a report that
describes the causes and consequences of civilian harm
occurring during Turkey's military invasion of northern Syria,
including violations of the law of armed conflict and gross
violations of internationally recognized human rights, as a
result of the actions of all parties to the conflict.
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include the following elements:
(A) A description of civilian harm occurring in the
context of Turkey's military invasion, including--
(i) mass casualty incidents; and
(ii) damage to, and destruction of,
civilian infrastructure and services,
including--
(I) hospitals and other medical
facilities;
(II) electrical grids;
(III) water systems; and
(IV) other critical infrastructure.
(B) A description of violations of the law of armed
conflict committed during Turkey's military invasion by
all forces involved in the Turkish-led coalition and
all forces fighting on its behalf and by any other
combatants in the conflict, including--
(i) alleged violations of the law of armed
conflict;
(ii) specific instances of failure by the
parties to the conflict to exercise
distinction, proportionality, and precaution in
the use force in accordance with the law of
armed conflict;
(iii) arbitrary denials of humanitarian
access and the resulting impact on the
alleviation of human suffering;
(iv) extra-judicial executions and
detention-related abuses; and
(v) other acts that may constitute
violations of the law of armed conflict.
(C) Recommendations for establishing accountability
mechanisms for civilian harm, violations of the law of
armed conflict, and gross violations of internationally
recognized human rights perpetrated by Turkish and pro-
Turkish forces in Syria, including the potential for
prosecuting individuals perpetrating, organizing,
directing, or ordering such violations.
SEC. 14. SANCTIONS DESCRIBED.
The sanctions described in this section are the following:
(1) Asset blocking.--The President shall exercise all of
the powers granted by the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (except that the
requirements of section 202 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall
not apply) to the extent necessary to block and prohibit all
transactions in all property and interests in property of a
person if such property and interests in property are in the
United States, come within the United States, or are or come
within the possession or control of a United States person.
(2) Aliens inadmissible for visas, admission, or parole.--
(A) Visas, admission, or parole.--A foreign person
is--
(i) inadmissible to the United States;
(ii) ineligible to receive a visa or other
documentation to enter the United States; and
(iii) otherwise ineligible to be admitted
or paroled into the United States or to receive
any other benefit under the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
(B) Current visas revoked.--The visa or other entry
documentation of a foreign person shall be revoked,
regardless of when such visa or other entry
documentation is or was issued. A revocation under this
subparagraph shall take effect immediately and
automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry
documentation that is in the foreign person's
possession.
(C) Exception to comply with united nations
headquarters agreement.--Sanctions under this paragraph
shall not apply to an individual if admitting such
individual into the United States is necessary to
permit the United States to comply with the Agreement
regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations,
signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into
force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and
the United States, or other applicable international
obligations of the United States.
SEC. 15. IMPLEMENTATION.
(a) In General.--The President--
(1) may exercise all authorities provided to the President
under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to carry out this
Act; and
(2) shall issue such regulations, licenses, and orders as
are necessary to carry out this Act.
(b) Penalties.--The penalties provided for in subsections (b) and
(c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
(50 U.S.C. 1705) shall apply to any person who violates, attempts to
violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of any prohibition
of this Act, or an order or regulation prescribed under this Act, to
the same extent that such penalties apply to a person that commits an
unlawful act described in subsection (a) of that section.
SEC. 16. EXCEPTION RELATING TO IMPORTATION OF GOODS.
(a) In General.--The authorities and requirements to impose
sanctions under this Act or any amendments made by this Act shall not
include the authority or requirement to impose sanctions on the
importation of goods.
(b) Good Defined.--In this section, the term ``good'' means any
article, natural or man-made substance, material, supply or
manufactured product, including inspection and test equipment and
excluding technical data.
SEC. 17. HUMANITARIAN WAIVER.
The President may waive the application of any provision of this
Act (other than section 16) for the purpose of providing humanitarian
assistance if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional
committees that such a waiver is important to address a humanitarian
need and consistent with the national security interests of the United
States, not later than 15 days before issuing such a waiver, the
President submits to such committees a justification relating to such
determination.
SEC. 18. UNITED STATES REFUGEE PROGRAM PRIORITIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in consultation with the
Secretary of Homeland Security shall designate, as Priority 2 refugees
of special humanitarian concern--
(1) Syrian Kurds, stateless persons who habitually resided
in Syria, and other Syrians, who partnered with, or worked for
or directly with, the United States Government in Syria for an
aggregate period of not less than 1 year;
(2) Syrian Kurds, stateless persons who habitually resided
in Syria, and other Syrians, who were employed in Syria, for an
aggregate period of not less than 1 year, by--
(A) a media or nongovernmental organization based
in the United States;
(B) an organization or entity that has received a
grant from, or entered into a cooperative agreement or
contract with, the United States Government; or
(C) an organization that--
(i) was continuously physically present in
Northeast Syria between 2011 and the date of
the enactment of this Act; and
(ii) has partnered with an organization
described in subparagraph (A) or (B);
(3) the spouses, children, sons, daughters, siblings, and
parents of aliens described in paragraph (1); or
(4) Syrian Kurds, stateless persons who habitually resided
in Syria, and other Syrians, who have an immediate relative (as
defined in section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i)) or a family member
described in section 203(a) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 203(a)) who
is physically present in the United States.
(b) Eligibility for Admission as a Refugee.--An alien may not be
denied the opportunity to apply for admission as a refugee under this
section solely because such alien qualifies as an immediate relative of
a national of the United States or is eligible for admission to the
United States under any other immigrant classification.
(c) Membership in Certain Syrian Organizations.--An applicant for
admission to the United States under this section may not be deemed
inadmissible solely because the applicant was a member of, or provided
support to, the Syrian Democratic Forces.
(d) Exclusion From Numerical Limitations.--Aliens provided refugee
status under this section shall not be counted against any numerical
limitation under section 201, 202, 203, or 207 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151, 1152, 1153, and 1157).
(e) Identification of Other Persecuted Groups.--The Secretary of
State, or the designee of the Secretary, is authorized to classify
other groups of Syrians, including vulnerable populations, as Priority
2 refugees of special humanitarian concern.
(f) Satisfaction of Other Requirements.--Aliens designated as
Priority 2 refugees of special humanitarian concern under this section
shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements under section 207 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157) for admission to the
United States.
SEC. 19. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Admission; admitted; alien.--The terms ``admission'',
``admitted'', and ``alien'' have the meanings given such terms
in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1101).
(2) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee
on Armed Services, and the Committee on Financial
Services of the House of Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the
Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
(3) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means an
individual or entity that is not a United States person.
(4) Gross violations of internationally recognized human
rights.--The term ``gross violations of internationally
recognized human rights'' has the meaning given such term in
section 502B(d)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2304(d)(1)).
(5) Knowingly.--The term ``knowingly'' with respect to
conduct, a circumstance, or a result, means that a person has
actual knowledge, or should have known, of the conduct, the
circumstance, or the result.
(6) United states person.--The term ``United States
person'' means--
(A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully
admitted for permanent residence to the United States;
or
(B) an entity organized under the laws of the
United States or any jurisdiction within the United
States, including a foreign branch of such an entity.
SEC. 20. SUNSET.
This Act shall terminate on the date that is three years after the
date on which sanctions imposed pursuant to this Act have terminated.
Passed the House of Representatives October 29, 2019.
Attest:
CHERYL L. JOHNSON,
Clerk.