Artemis Act of 2025
The Artemis Act of 2025 would alter how expedited removal applies to certain noncitizens entering the United States. Specifically, it adds an exception that excludes individuals from “countries of concern” from being subject to expedited removal under section 235(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). A “country of concern” is defined to include nations designated by the Secretary of State as a country of particular concern or a country on the Special Watch List under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. In practical terms, people who are natives or citizens of these countries (or who would be removed to such countries) would not be processed under the expedited removal procedures and would instead proceed through standard removal or asylum processes. The bill also expands the applicable reference in the expedited removal provision to include this new category, by inserting a new subparagraph (H) alongside the existing subparagraph (F).
Key Points
- 1The Artemis Act amends INA section 235(b)(1) to create an “exception for country of concern” from expedited removal.
- 2A “country of concern” is defined as a country designated by the Secretary of State as a country of particular concern or a Special Watch List country under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
- 3The bill replaces references to subparagraph (F) with “subparagraph (F) or (H)” to accommodate the new exception.
- 4Subparagraph (A) will not apply to aliens who are natives or citizens of a country of concern or who would be removed to such a country, meaning they would not be subject to expedited removal.
- 5The change directs expedited removal policy toward individuals not from countries of concern, potentially increasing procedural protections for those from CPCs or Special Watch List countries.