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HRES 378

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the plight of Cameroonian immigrants and the continued turmoil and instability in the nation of Cameroon merits a designation of humanitarian parole and calling on the Department of Homeland Security to create a humanitarian parole program for Cameroonians fleeing this violence.

119th Congress Introduced by Alma Adams and 7 co-sponsors

House Resolution urges DHS to use parole authority to establish a special humanitarian parole program for Cameroonian nationals fleeing violence and provide resettlement resources.

Submitted in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HRES 378

Summary of H.Res. 378 (Introducing House Resolution)

Overview

  • Bill type: House Resolution (expressing the sense of the House)
  • Bill number: H.Res. 378
  • Title (paraphrased): Expressing the sense of the House that the plight of Cameroonian immigrants merits humanitarian parole and urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a humanitarian parole program for Cameroonians fleeing violence
  • Status: Introduced in the House and referred to committees
  • Introduced: May 5, 2025
  • Classification: Resolution (not a statute or appropriations bill)

Purpose and Intent

  • Acknowledges what it describes as a dire humanitarian crisis for Cameroonian nationals fleeing violence and human rights abuses.
  • Calls on DHS to use existing authority to establish a special humanitarian parole program for Cameroonian nationals seeking refuge in the United States, with the aim of providing humanitarian relief.
  • Urges the U.S. government to allocate resources to support the successful resettlement of Cameroonian immigrants, including strong support for those who would benefit from Special Humanitarian Parole status.

Key Provisions (as introduced)

  1. Recognition of the crisis:
    • Acknowledges violence, human rights violations, and discriminatory treatment faced by Black and African immigrants, including Cameroonians.
  2. Authority and program creation:
    • Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to use the authority under 8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)(A) (parole authority) to establish a special humanitarian parole program for Cameroonian nationals seeking refuge.
    • The program would be designed to grant humanitarian relief to eligible Cameroonians.
  3. Resource allocation for resettlement:
    • Urges the U.S. Government to provide adequate resources to support resettlement, including comprehensive services for individuals who receive Special Humanitarian Parole.

Who is Affected

  • Cameroonian nationals seeking refuge in the United States.
  • U.S. agencies involved in immigration, parole, and refugee resettlement (notably DHS, and other related offices, per the resolution’s directives).
  • Potentially communities and organizations involved in processing, supporting, and integrating new arrivals.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Committee referrals: Referred to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee for consideration of provisions within their jurisdiction.
  • Date of action: May 5, 2025 (date introduced and referred)
  • Timeline: No specific legislative timeline or enactment date, as this is a sense-of-the-House resolution rather than a bill proposing new statutes or funding.

Practical Impact and Notes

  • As a resolution, H.Res. 378 does not itself create new law or authorize expenditures. Instead, it expresses the House’s position and urges action by the executive branch (DHS) and related agencies.
  • If adopted, the resolution could set political and policy expectations for DHS to consider a Cameroonian-focused humanitarian parole program and to allocate resources for related resettlement efforts.
  • Real-world implementation would require DHS rulemaking or policy changes, potential administrative processes for eligibility criteria, duration of parole, monitoring, and ongoing support services, as well as possible funding allocations.

Sponsors

  • Primary sponsor: Adriano Espaillat (D-NY)
  • Cosponsors: Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Alma S. Adams (D-NC), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), James P. McGovern (D-MA)

If you’d like, I can add a short comparison to similar humanitarian parole initiatives or provide a quick glossary of key immigration parole terms referenced in the bill.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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