Refugee application and processing centers

(a) Definition Section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (53) The term refugee application and processing center — (A) means a facility designated under section 207(g) by the Secretary of State to accept and process applications for refugee admissions to the United States; and (B) may include a United States embassy, consulate, or other diplomatic facility.. (b) Designation Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157) is amended by adding at the end the following: (g) Refugee application and processing centers (1) Designation Not later than 240 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall designate refugee application and processing centers outside the United States. (2) Locations The Secretary of State shall establish— (A) 1 refugee application and processing center in Mexico; and (B) not fewer than 3 refugee application and processing centers in Central America at locations selected by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security. (3) Duties of secretary of state The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall ensure that any alien who is a national or habitual resident of a country in which a refugee application and processing center is located, or a country contiguous to such a country, may apply for refugee status at a refugee application and processing center in that country. (4) Adjudication by asylum officers An application for refugee status submitted to a refugee application and processing center shall be adjudicated by a asylum officer. (5) Priority The Secretary of State shall ensure that refugee application and processing centers accord priority to applications submitted— (A) by aliens who have been referred by an authorized nongovernmental organization, as determined by the Secretary of State; (B) not later than 90 days after the date on which such referral is made; and (C) in accordance with the requirements and procedures established by the Secretary of State under this subsection. (6) Number of referrals and grants of admission for refugees The admission to the United States of refugees under this subsection shall be subject to the limitations, including the numerical limitations, under this section. (7) Application fees (A) In general The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall charge, collect, and account for fees prescribed by each such Secretary pursuant to subsections (m) and (n) of section 286 and section 9701 of title 31, United States Code, for the purpose of receiving, docketing, processing, and adjudicating an application under this subsection. (B) Basis for fees The fees prescribed under subparagraph (A) shall be based on a consideration of the amount necessary to deter frivolous applications and the cost for processing the application, including the implementation of program integrity and anti-fraud measures.. (c) Sunset The amendments made by this section shall cease to be effective beginning on the date that is three years and 240 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.