S. 200 — RULES Act

This section limits asylum applications under the Immigration and Nationality Act to aliens arriving at ports of entry only (from any alien physically present in the United States or arriving anywhere, including after interdiction), prohibits parole or release into the United States of such applicants notwithstanding INA parole authority, and authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security, as applicable alongside the Attorney General, to make safe third country and other determinations previously reserved to the Attorney General. The section further eliminates the one-year filing deadline and exceptions for changed or extraordinary circumstances; retains bars on applications due to safe third country agreements (inapplicable to unaccompanied alien children) or prior denials; and adds a bar on applications by aliens apprehended or referred to DHS after entering without inspection or overstaying authorized stay. (Thus, aliens entering between ports of entry or already present in the United States without lawful status generally may not apply for asylum.)