Contact Congress about H.R. 116: Stopping Border Surges Act

This bill would tighten asylum eligibility, speed up some child immigration cases, and expand detention rules for families. It also adds stronger anti-fraud penalties and broader information-sharing with Homeland Security.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Stopping Border Surges Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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.

Latest action on H.R. 116: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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.

Who this affects: This bill would most directly affect asylum seekers, immigrant children, parents traveling with children, child sponsors, and the federal agencies that process immigration cases. It would also affect state governments that try to regulate detention facilities, lawyers and advocates handling asylum claims, and people who already have asylum and later travel back to their home country.

Why this matters: This bill matters because it would tighten access to asylum and change how the government handles children and families at the border. In practice, that could mean more detention, faster court timelines for some children, fewer people getting a chance to pursue asylum in the United States, and more legal risk for mistakes or false statements in asylum cases. It also shifts power toward federal immigration authorities by limiting state licensing rules and expanding information-sharing. Some of the real-world effects are clear from the text, but the full impact would depend on how agencies, officers, and courts use these new powers and standards.

Key provisions in H.R. 116

• Lets fast-track return and processing rules apply to unaccompanied children from any country, not just neighboring countries, and requires officers who interview them to have specialized training.
• Requires most unaccompanied children who do not qualify for certain repatriation rules to get a hearing before an immigration judge within 14 days after their initial screening.
• Tells Health and Human Services to share detailed information about child sponsors with Homeland Security, including identity, address, and immigration status if known, and applies this to past placements within 90 days after enactment.
• Says there is no automatic rule against detaining children who arrive with parents or guardians, and gives Homeland Security full discretion over whether to detain them.
• Bars the release of accompanied minor children except to a lawfully present parent or legal guardian, and requires family detention when a parent is being held only on a misdemeanor illegal-entry charge.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 116

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 116

What is H.R. 116?

This bill would tighten asylum eligibility, speed up some child immigration cases, and expand detention rules for families. It also adds stronger anti-fraud penalties and broader information-sharing with Homeland Security.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 116?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 116?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 116 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.