HR 670119th CongressIntroduced

Lady Liberty Act of 2025

Introduced: Jan 23, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11] (D-Virginia)

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Lady Liberty Act of 2025 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a hard floor for refugee admissions. Starting in fiscal year 2027 (i.e., “after fiscal year 2026”), the United States would be required to admit at least 125,000 refugees in each fiscal year, regardless of the President’s annual determination of refugee admissions. In short, it guarantees a minimum annual refugee intake and removes the possibility of a year with fewer than 125,000 admissions, though it does not set a new upper limit or specify funding or implementation details.

Key Points

1Hard floor established: Beginning in fiscal year 2027, the minimum number of refugees admitted in any fiscal year cannot be less than 125,000.
2Regardless of presidential determination: The minimum applies “without regard to whether or not the President makes any determination,” meaning the floor stands even if the President does not issue a refugee admissions determination for that year.
3Statutory change to INA: The amendment is to Section 207(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157(a)).
4Not a cap; no funding specified: The bill sets a floor but does not create a maximum cap, nor does it include funding or budgetary language to support the higher admissions level.
5Title and sponsorship: The measure is titled the “Lady Liberty Act of 2025.” It was introduced in the House on January 23, 2025, with a group of sponsors listed in the record.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Refugees and refugee resettlement programs: U.S. refugee admissions would be guaranteed at a minimum level, affecting how many individuals and families could be admitted each year and how resettlement agencies plan and staff to handle intake, placement, and services.- Federal refugee processing and resettlement agencies (e.g., State Department, DHS components, and NGO partners) would need to accommodate a higher and guaranteed annual admissions level, with corresponding resource implications.Secondary group/area affected- State and local governments and communities hosting refugees: higher guaranteed arrivals could affect housing, schools, healthcare, language services, and social integration supports at the local level.- Employers and service providers: communities may see changes in labor markets, housing demand, and community resources linked to refugee populations.Additional impacts- Budget and resources: while the bill does not authorize funding, delivering a guaranteed 125,000 admissions per year would likely require additional funding and staffing for processing, screening, placement, and integration services.- Policy and process considerations: agencies may need to adjust protocols, quotas, and case management capacity to meet the floor consistently, potentially influencing coordination with international partners and non-governmental organizations.- International and humanitarian signaling: establishing a fixed floor could affect international expectations regarding U.S. refugee admissions and may influence diplomacy and humanitarian assistance discussions.The bill does not specify how the 125,000 floor would interact with any existing caps or ceilings in place for refugee admissions in a given year, beyond ensuring the floor itself.The exact operational implications (funding, staffing, timelines) are not defined in the text provided and would likely be addressed in subsequent appropriations or implementing guidance if the bill advances.

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