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Bill· SS. 3006 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2004
HRIFA Improvement Act of 2004 - Amends the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 (HRIFA) to require determinations regarding derivative status for the children of qualifying Haitians to be made using the age of the child as of October 21, 1998. Authorizes parents or guardians of children seeking derivative status to file an adjustment application on the child's behalf if the child is physically present in the United States on the date of filing. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to waive grounds of inadmissibility not specified in HRIFA for humanitarian purposes, to assure family unity, or when otherwise in the public interest, with the exception of those grounds related to controlled substances trafficking and certain security and related matters. Permits qualifying Haitians seeking benefits pursuant to this Act to file new status adjustment applications and motions to reopen. Extends to those who file the same protection from exclusion, deportation, removal, or enforcement of a voluntary departure order as currently applies to HRIFA beneficiaries.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 838 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2004
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States deplores the past and continuing violation of the human rights and religious freedoms of minority populations in Arab countries; (2) with respect to Jews and Christians displaced from Arab countries, for any comprehensive Middle East peace agreement to be enduring, constitute an end to Middle East conflict, and provide for finality of all claims, the agreement must resolve all outstanding issues, including the rights of all peoples displaced from Arab countries; and (3) the United States will work to ensure that both the Law of Administration for the State of Iraq for the Transitional Period and the permanent constitution are universally applied to all groups forced to leave Iraq. Urges the President to: (1) instruct the U.S. Representative to the United Nations and all U.S. representatives in bilateral and multilateral fora that, when the United States considers resolutions that allude to the issue of Middle East refugees, the U.S. delegation should ensure that the relevant text refers to multiple refugee populations that have been caused by the Arab-Israeli conflict and any explicit reference to the resolution of the Palestinian refugee issue is matched by a similar reference to the resolution of the issue of Jewish refugees from Arab countries; and (2) make clear that the United States supports the position that the issue of refugees and the mass violations of human rights of minorities in Arab countries must be resolved in a manner that includes redress for the rights of all refugees displaced from Arab countries and recognition that Jewish and Christian property, schools, and community property were lost as a result of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 449 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2004
Denounces the confinement of refugees to a camp or segregated settlement or other deprivation of the refugees' basic rights in a situation that has lasted ten years or more as a denial of basic human rights and a squandering of human potential. Urges the Secretary of State to actively pursue models of refugee assistance that permit refugees to enjoy all the rights recognized in the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. Encourages the international community to denounce such practice. Calls upon the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to monitor refugee situations more effectively.
Bill· SS. 2812 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2004
Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2005 - Makes appropriations for FY 2005 for: (1) the Export-Import Bank of the United States; (2) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; (3) the Trade and Development Agency; (4) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (5) U.S. Agency for International Development; (6) various bilateral economic assistance programs for foreign developing countries; (7) expenses for the Millenium Challenge Corporation; (8) the Inter-American Foundation, the African Development Foundation, and the Peace Corps; (9) global HIV/AIDS initiative; (10) international narcotics control and law enforcement and the Andean Counterdrug Initiative; (11) migration and refugee assistance; (12) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining and related programs; (13) Department of the Treasury for international affairs technical assistance and debt restructuring; (14) certain U.S. military assistance programs for foreign countries; (15) U.S. contributions to certain international financial institutions; and (16) international programs and organizations. Sets forth certain limits and prohibitions on the use of appropriations for specified activities.
Bill· SS. 2810 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2004
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2005 - Makes appropriations for FY 2005 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and related agencies. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds and transfers of funds. Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2005 - Makes appropriations for FY 2005 to the Department of Labor for: (1) the Employment and Training Administration, training and employment services; (2) community service employment for older Americans; (3) Federal unemployment benefits and allowances; (4) State unemployment insurance and employment service operations; (5) advances to the Unemployment Trust Fund and the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (6) employment and training program administration; (7) the Employee Benefits Security Administration; (8) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (9) the Employment Standards Administration; (10) certain special benefits, including ones for disabled coal miners; (11) the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Fund; (12) the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (13) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; (14) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (15) the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (16) the Office of Disability Employment Policy; (17) departmental management; (18) veterans employment and training; (19) the Office of Inspector General; and (20) a working capital fund for a new core accounting system. Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2005 - Makes appropriations for FY 2005 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration, for specified health resources and services activities; (2) health education assistance loans; (3) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), for disease control, research, and training; (5) the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the John E. Fogarty International Center, the National Library of Medicine, and the Office of the Director; (6) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, for substance abuse and mental health services; (7) the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; (8) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, program management, and the Health Maintenance Organization Loan and Loan Guarantee Fund; (9) the Administration for Children and Families for payments to States for child support enforcement and family support programs; (10) low-income home energy assistance; (11) refugee and entrant assistance; (12) payments to States for the child care and development block grant; (13) the social services block grant; (14) children and families services programs; (15) promoting safe and stable families, through family preservation and support; (16) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (17) the Administration on Aging; (18) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (19) the Office of Inspector General; (20) the Office for Civil Rights; (21) policy research; (22) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers, and medical care of dependents and retired personnel; and (23) the public health and social services emergency fund, for expenses related to countering potential biological, disease, and chemical threats to civilian populations, for the Strategic National Stockpile, and for activities to ensure a year-round influenza vaccine production capacity and the development and implementation of rapidly expandable influenza vaccine production technologies, as well as any purchase of such vaccine the Secretary determines necessary. Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2005 - Makes appropriations for FY 2005 to the Department of Education for: (1) education for the disadvantaged; (2) impact aid; (3) school improvement programs; (4) Indian education; (5) innovation and improvement activities; (6) safe schools and citizenship education; (7) English language acquisition and language enhancement; (8) special education; (9) rehabilitation services and disability research; (10) special institutions for persons with disabilities, including the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University; (11) vocational and adult education; (12) certain student financial assistance programs, as well as Federal administrative expenses for such programs (and sets a maximum individual Pell Grant amount); (13) specified higher education programs; (14) Howard University; (15) the college housing and academic facilities loans program account; (16) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (17) the Institute of Education Sciences; and (18) departmental management and program administration; (19) the Office for Civil Rights; and (20) the Office of the Inspector General. Makes appropriations for FY 2005 to the: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Corporation for National and Community Service, for domestic volunteer service programs and operating expenses; (3) Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (4) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; (5) Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (6) Institute of Museum and Library Services; (7) Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (8) National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (9) National Council on Disability; (10) National Labor Relations Board; (11) National Mediation Board; (12) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (13) Railroad Retirement Board for the dual benefits payments account, Federal payments to the railroad retirement accounts, administration, and the Office of Inspector General; (14) Social Security Administration for payments to the Social Security trust funds, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, and administrative expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; and (15) U.S. Institute of Peace.
Bill· SS. 2784 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2004
Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2004 - Prohibits FY 2005 U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the Government of Vietnam in excess of FY 2004 levels unless the President certifies to Congress that the Government of Vietnam has made substantial progress toward: (1) releasing all political and religious prisoners; (2) respecting freedom of religion; (3) allowing Vietnamese nationals access to U.S. refugee programs; and (4) respecting the human rights of members of ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlands and elsewhere in Vietnam. Prohibits U.S. post-FY 2005 nonhumanitarian assistance to the Government of Vietnam in excess of FY 2004 levels unless the President certifies to Congress that the Government of Vietnam has met the above requirements and, in addition, neither any official of the Government of Vietnam nor any of its agencies was complicit in a severe form of trafficking in persons, unless the Government of Vietnam took all appropriate steps to end any such complicity and hold any such official, agency, or entity accountable for such conduct. Authorizes the President to waive such requirements if increased U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance would promote the purposes of this Act or is otherwise in the U.S. national interest. Authorizes the President to provide U.S. assistance through appropriate nongovernmental organizations for the support of individuals and organizations to promote human rights and nonviolent democratic change in Vietnam. Declares it is U.S. policy: (1) to take necessary measures to overcome the jamming of Radio Free Asia by the Government of Vietnam; (2) that educational and cultural exchange programs with Vietnam should promote progress toward freedom and democracy; and (3) to offer refugee resettlement to nationals of Vietnam, including the Montagnard ethnic groups, who were unable to apply or who were incorrectly deemed ineligible for certain refugee programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 5006 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2004
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2005 - Makes appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for FY 2005. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds and transfers of funds. Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2005 - Makes appropriations for FY 2005 to the Department of Labor for: (1) the Employment and Training Administration; (2) community service employment for older Americans; (3) Federal unemployment benefits and allowances; (4) State unemployment insurance and employment service operations; (5) advances to the Unemployment Trust Fund and the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (6) employment and training program administration; (7) the Employee Benefits Security Administration; (8) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (9) the Employment Standards Administration; (10) certain special benefits, including ones for disabled coal miners; (11) the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Fund; (12) the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund; (13) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; (14) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; (15) the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (16) the Office of Disability Employment Policy; (17) departmental management; (18) veterans employment and training; (19) the Office of Inspector General; and (20) a working capital fund for a new core accounting system. Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2005 - Makes appropriations for FY 2005 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: (1) the Health Resources and Services Administration; (2) health education assistance loans; (3) the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Trust Fund; (4) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), for disease control, research, and training; (5) the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the John E. Fogarty International Center, the National Library of Medicine, and the Office of the Director; (6) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (7) the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; (8) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for grants to States for Medicaid, payments to health care trust funds, program management, and the Health Maintenance Organization Loan and Loan Guarantee Fund; (9) the Administration for Children and Families for payments to States for child support enforcement and family support programs; (10) low-income home energy assistance; (11) refugee and entrant assistance; (12) payments to States for the child care and development block grant; (13) the social services block grant; (14) disabled voter services; (15) children and families services programs; (16) promoting safe and stable families, through family preservation and support; (17) payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance; (18) the Administration on Aging; (19) the Office of the Secretary for general departmental management; (20) the Office of Inspector General; (21) the Office for Civil Rights; (22) policy research; (23) retirement pay and medical benefits for Public Health Service commissioned officers, and medical care of dependents and retired personnel; and (24) the public health and social services emergency fund, for expenses related to countering potential biological, disease, and chemical threats to civilian populations, for the Strategic National Stockpile, and for activities to ensure a year-round influenza vaccine production capacity and the development and implementation of rapidly expandable influenza vaccine production technologies. Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2005 - Makes appropriations for FY 2005 to the Department of Education for: (1) education for the disadvantaged; (2) impact aid; (3) school improvement programs; (4) Indian education; (5) innovation and improvement activities; (6) safe schools and citizenship education; (7) English language acquisition and language enhancement; (8) special education; (9) rehabilitation services and disability research; (10) special institutions for persons with disabilities, including the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University; (11) vocational and adult education; (12) certain student financial assistance programs, as well as Federal administrative expenses for such programs (setting a maximum individual Pell Grant amount); (13) specified higher education programs; (14) Howard University; (15) the college housing and academic facilities loans program; (16) the historically Black college and university capital financing program account; (17) the Institute of Education Sciences; (18) departmental management and program administration; (19) the Office for Civil Rights; and (20) the Office of the Inspector General. Makes appropriations for FY 2005 to the: (1) Armed Forces Retirement Home; (2) Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled; (3) Corporation for National and Community Service, for domestic volunteer service programs and operating expenses; (4) Corporation for Public Broadcasting; (5) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; (6) Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission; (7) Institute of Museum and Library Services; (8) Medicare Payment Advisory Commission; (9) National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (10) National Council on Disability; (11) National Labor Relations Board; (12) National Mediation Board; (13) Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; (14) Railroad Retirement Board for the dual benefits payments account, Federal payments to the railroad retirement accounts, administration, and the Office of Inspector General; and (15) Social Security Administration for payments to the Social Security trust funds, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, administrative expenses, and the Office of Inspector General.
Bill· HRH.R. 4885 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2004
Comprehensive Immigration Fairness Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to make permanently available the exception to the adjustment of status bar for beneficiaries of family petitions or labor certification applications. Adds grounds for discretionary waiver of inadmissibility. Authorizes K nonimmigrant status for specified family members of lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and additional family members of U.S. citizens who are awaiting immigrant visas. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to disregard as aggravated felonies (with immigration consequences) certain criminal convictions. Provides that a person who is a child on the last day of the 90-day period after a pending application for INA benefits is filed shall be considered to be a child for all purposes related to such application. Clarifies that the term "child" includes children for whom adoption proceedings were initiated prior to specified ages. Authorizes the Secretary to waive certain bars to admission. Establishes a program for earned access to legalization. Authorizes the adjustment of status of certain undocumented children. Amends the registry provision. Expands the list of unfair immigration-related employment practices. Requires petitioners for nonimmigrant workers to file affidavits describing efforts to recruit U.S. citizens or LPRs. Doubles the numerical cap on worldwide diversity immigrant visas. Provides for adjustment of status of certain Haitian nationals. Eliminates mandatory detention in asylum seekers' expedited removal proceedings. Amends the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 to remove document fraud as a ground of inadmissibility and to address child-related determinations. Provides for adjustment of status of certain Liberian nationals. Modifies requirements applicable to asylum and refugee proceedings. Authorizes adjustment of status for certain recipients of temporary protected status. Repeals a provision in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 that bars Federal, State, and local governments from preventing the communication of immigration status information to the Department of Homeland Security. Repeals a provision of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 concerning verification of eligibility for Federal public benefits. Eliminates statutory authority permitting State personnel to carry out immigration officer functions.
Law· HRH.R. 4818 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2004
Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2005 - Makes appropriations for FY 2005 for: (1) the Export-Import Bank of the United States; (2) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; (3) the Trade and Development Agency; (4) expenses of the President in carrying out certain programs under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (5) U.S. Agency for International Development; (6) various bilateral economic assistance programs for foreign developing countries; (7) expenses for the Millenium Challenge Corporation; (8) the Inter-American Foundation, the African Development Foundation, and the Peace Corps; (9) global HIV/AIDS initiative; (10) international narcotics control and law enforcement and the Andean Counterdrug Initiative; (11) migration and refugee assistance; (12) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining and related programs; (13) Department of the Treasury for international affairs technical assistance and debt restructuring; (14) certain U.S. military assistance programs for foreign countries; (15) U.S. contributions to certain international financial institutions; and (16) international programs and organizations. Sets forth certain limits and prohibitions on the use of appropriations for specified activities.
Bill· SS. 2623 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 2004
SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to provide a two-year extension of supplemental security income (SSI) from FY 2005 through 2007 for qualified aliens (including asylees and certain Cuban and Haitian entrants).
Bill· HRH.R. 4671 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2004
Iraqi Women and Children's Liberation Act of 2004 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should ensure that women and children in Iraq benefit from the liberation of Iraq; (2) women of all ethnic groups in Iraq should be included in the economic and political reconstruction of Iraq; and (3) the Government of Iraq should adhere to internationally accepted standards on human rights and rights of women and children. Authorizes the President to provide assistance for: (1) education and health care for Iraqi women and children living in Iraq or living as refugees in other countries; and (2) enhancement of political participation, economic empowerment, civil society, and personal security of women in Iraq. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should ensure that such assistance is: (1) provided in a manner that protects and promotes the human rights of all people in Iraq, utilizing indigenous institutions and nongovernmental organizations, especially women's organizations; and (2) conditioned on the government of Iraq making continued progress toward internationally accepted standards of human rights and the rights of women.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 384 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2004
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should: (1) intensify efforts to help Kosovo achieve the "Standards", as set out by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in Kosovo and as further elaborated in the UNMIK (the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo), to bring about a stable, multiethnic, and democratic society in Kosovo; (2) further encourage Kosovo to become a factor for stability in the region by having good relations with its neighbors, and in particular, by engaging in dialogue with Belgrade; (3) encourage Belgrade to support the standards implementation process in Kosovo; (4) enhance efforts to provide support to KFOR (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-led international security force in Kosovo), and to call upon the PISG (Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of Kosovo) to ensure the security and freedom of movement for all the people of Kosovo, and the return of refugees and internally displaced persons; (5) urge all people in Kosovo to reject ethnic violence; (6) promote steps to develop the Kosovo economy through strengthened cooperation with the South Central Europe region and Euro-Atlantic institutions; and (7) call upon the leaders of the PISG, and upon the leaders of all political parties and communities of Kosovo to enhance their cooperation with UNMIK, KFOR, and the international community.
Law· HRH.R. 4613 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2004
Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2005 - Appropriates funds for FY 2005 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military personnel; (2) operation and maintenance (including for the Overseas Contingency Operations Transfer Account, the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, environmental restoration, overseas humanitarian, disaster, and civic aid, and former Soviet Union threat reduction); (3) procurement (including for shipbuilding and conversion, and purchases under the Defense Production Act of 1950); (4) research, development, test and evaluation; (5) revolving and management funds; (6) the Defense Health Program; (7) chemical agents and munitions destruction; (8) drug interdiction and counter-drug activities; (9) the Office of the Inspector General; (10) the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund; (11) the Intelligence Community Management Account; and (12) the National Security Education Trust Fund. Specifies authorized, restricted, and prohibited uses of appropriated funds. Rescinds specified funds from various accounts under prior defense appropriations Acts. Reduces by specified amounts the total amount appropriated in this Act to: (1) reflect savings attributable to efficiencies and management improvements in the funding of miscellaneous or other contracts in military departments; (2) reduce cost growth in information technology development and modernization; (3) reflect cash balance and rate stabilization adjustments in DOD Working Capital Funds and the DOD Transportation Working Capital Fund; (4) reflect savings from revised economic assumptions; (5) reflect savings attributable to the offsetting of payments to contractors for the collection of unpaid taxes owed to the United States; and (6) reduce amounts budgeted in anticipation of the application of non-statutory funding set-asides. Appropriates additional funds, to be designated for overseas contingency operations, for DOD for: (1) military personnel; (2) operation and maintenance; (3) the Iraq Freedom Fund; (4) procurement (including National Guard and reserve equipment); (5) revolving and management funds; and (6) the Defense Health Program. Appropriates additional funds, with the same designation, for the Department of State for diplomatic and consular programs, embassy security, international disaster and famine assistance, and migration and refugee assistance. Authorizes the use of DOD funds for specified activities in Iraq and Afghanistan, including supporting U.S. military and security forces, combating terrorism, and providing humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. Reaffirms U.S. policy against the torture of prisoners of war and detainees.
Bill· SS. 2519 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2004
Iraqi Women and Children's Liberation Act of 2004 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should ensure that women and children in Iraq benefit from the liberation of Iraq; (2) women of all ethnic groups in Iraq should be included in the economic and political reconstruction of Iraq; and (3) the Government of Iraq should adhere to internationally accepted standards on human rights and rights of women and children. Authorizes the President to provide assistance for: (1) education and health care for Iraqi women and children living in Iraq or living as refugees in other countries; and (2) enhancement of political participation, economic empowerment, civil society, and personal security of women in Iraq. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should ensure that such assistance is: (1) provided in a manner that protects and promotes the human rights of all people in Iraq, utilizing indigenous institutions and nongovernmental organizations, especially women's organizations; and (2) conditioned on the government of Iraq making continued progress toward internationally accepted standards of human rights and the rights of women.
Bill· SS. 2443 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2004
Fairness in Immigration Litigation Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to preclude aliens, including criminal aliens, from seeking judicial review of removal orders or the denial of specified discretionary relief through habeas corpus, mandamus, or other extraordinary petitions. Declares that this Act does not preclude circuit court review on appeal of constitutional claims or pure questions of law. Establishes the INA's judicial review provisions as the sole avenue for challenging removal orders and reviewing claims arising under the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Limits judicial authority to grant stays of removal. Requires all petitions for review of removal orders to be filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Expands the list of alternative countries to which an alien may be removed in the event that the country otherwise designated is unwilling to accept the alien. Requires asylum applicants to: (1) show that one of five statutory bases was the central motive for persecution in order to establish refugee status; and (2) submit corroborating evidence where it is reasonable for the trier of fact to expect such evidence. Lists factors relevant to credibility determinations in asylum cases. Precludes the reversal of determinations concerning the availability of corroborating evidence unless the court finds that a reasonable adjudicator is compelled to conclude that such corroborating evidence is unavailable.
Bill· HRH.R. 4406 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2004
Fairness in Immigration Litigation Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to preclude aliens, including criminal aliens, from seeking judicial review of removal orders or the denial of specified discretionary relief through habeas corpus, mandamus, or other extraordinary petitions. Declares that this Act does not preclude circuit court review on appeal of constitutional claims or pure questions of law. Establishes the INA's judicial review provisions as the sole avenue for challenging removal orders and reviewing claims arising under the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Limits judicial authority to grant stays of removal. Requires all petitions for review of removal orders to be filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Expands the list of alternative countries to which an alien may be removed in the event that the country otherwise designated is unwilling to accept the alien. Requires asylum applicants to: (1) show that one of five statutory bases was the central motive for persecution in order to establish refugee status; and (2) submit corroborating evidence where it is reasonable for the trier of fact to expect such evidence. Lists factors relevant to credibility determinations in asylum cases. Precludes the reversal of determinations concerning the availability of corroborating evidence unless the court finds that a reasonable adjudicator is compelled to conclude that such corroborating evidence is unavailable.
Bill· HRH.R. 4058 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2004
United States Assistance for Civilians Affected by Conflict Act of 2004 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to: (1) appoint a Special Coordinator to ensure that Federal departments and agencies responsible for the conduct of foreign affairs and national security undertake advance planning, coordinated action, and harmonized execution to respond to complex humanitarian emergencies in foreign countries and to ensure that such planning and action is consistent with the national interests of the United States; and (2) take specified actions to respond to such emergencies. Authorizes fiscal year appropriations to the President for international disaster assistance. Authorizes the President to develop and undertake protection initiatives, including protection initiatives for women and children who are refugees or displaced persons, or living in areas affected by a complex humanitarian emergency. Expresses the sense of Congress that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees should review its personnel practices to: (1) ensure that senior protection officers are assigned to the posts where women and children are in the most danger of gender-based violence or exploitation, and to ensure that more female staff are present in refugee or displaced persons camps; and (2) facilitate the permanent hiring of successful junior professional officers following their initial tours of duty. Declares that it shall be U.S. policy to ensure that U.S.-funded organizations that respond to complex humanitarian emergencies in foreign countries have the resources to address the specific health needs of women affected by such emergencies. Amends the Act to authorize the President to provide assistance: (1) to prevent, prepare for, and respond to foreign crises, including acts of ethnic cleansing, mass killings and genocide, peace and humanitarian intervention operations, and armed ethnic or civil conflicts; (2) to support the transition to democracy and long-term development in countries emerging from political instability or conflict; (3) to victims of foreign civil strife and warfare; and (4) for famine relief. Directs the Secretary of State to develop a strategy for the protection of women and children who are internally displaced, made refugees, or otherwise affected by a complex humanitarian emergency. Directs the Special Coordinator to maintain an information database and develop an early warning list related to occurrences of gender-based violence or exploitation of children during a complex humanitarian emergency. Directs the The Secretary to urge the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to work with nongovernmental organizations to implement a model `whistleblower' system under which humanitarian workers, refugees, and internally displaced persons can report gender-based violence or exploitation of children. Prohibits assistance to a nongovernmental organization that assists refugees or displaced persons if such organization does not adopt a code of conduct that incorporates specified provisions respecting sexual exploitation of children and others by humanitarian workers. Expresses the sense of Congress that all U.S. agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and multilateral organizations that are implementing U.S. humanitarian assistance programs should review their administrative, management, and employment practices at refugee and displaced persons camps for the purposes of: (1) increasing the number of women involved in the distribution of food and humanitarian supplies; and (2) educating providers and beneficiaries of humanitarian assistance about the seriousness of gender-based violence and exploitation of children. Amends the Act to include in foreign military training and education the protection of displaced civilians, especially women and children.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 325 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2004
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States deplores the past and continuing violation of the human rights and religious freedoms of minority populations in Arab countries; (2) with respect to Jews and Christians displaced from Arab countries, for any comprehensive Middle East peace agreement to be enduring, constitute an end to Middle East conflict, and provide for finality of all claims, the agreement must resolve all outstanding issues, including the rights of all peoples displaced from Arab countries; and (3) the United States will work to ensure that both the Law of Administration for the State of Iraq for the Transitional Period and the permanent constitution are universally applied to all groups forced to leave Iraq. Urges the President to: (1) instruct the U.S. Representative to the United Nations and all U.S. representatives in bilateral and multilateral fora that, when the United States considers resolutions that allude to the issue of Middle East refugees, the U.S. delegation should ensure that the relevant text refers to multiple refugee populations that have been caused by the Arab-Israeli conflict and any explicit reference to the resolution of the Palestinian refugee issue is matched by a similar reference to the resolution of the issue of Jewish refugees from Arab countries; and (2) make clear that the United States supports the position that the issue of refugees and the mass violations of human rights of minorities in Arab countries must be resolved in a manner that includes redress for the rights of all refugees displaced from Arab countries and recognition that Jewish and Christian property, schools, and community property were lost as a result of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Bill· HRH.R. 4035 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2004
SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to provide a two year extension of supplemental security income (SSI) in FY 2005 through 2007 for qualified aliens (including asylees and certain Cuban and Haitian entrants).
Law· HRH.R. 4011 (108th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2004
North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the human rights of North Koreans should remain a key concern in future negotiations between the United States, North Korea, and other parties in Northeast Asia; (2) the United States should increase its support for radio broadcasting to North Korea; (3) the United Nations has a significant role to play in promoting and improving human rights in North Korea; (4) the United States should pursue an international agreement to adopt a `first asylum' policy, modeled on the first asylum policy for Vietnamese refugees, that guarantees safe haven to North Korean refugees; (5) the Government of China has obligated itself to provide the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) with unimpeded access to North Koreans inside its borders to enable UNHCR to determine whether they are refugees and whether they require assistance; and (6) the United States should promote measures similar to humanitarian parole or temporary protected status granted in countries that neighbor North Korea. Authorizes the President to: (1) provide grants to private, nonprofit organizations to promote human rights, democracy, rule of law, and the development of a market economy in North Korea; (2) increase the availability of information inside North Korea by increasing the availability of information sources not controlled by the Government of North Korea; (3) provide assistance to the World Food Program and to U.S. nongovernmental organizations to provide humanitarian assistance to North Koreans inside North Korea; and (4) provide assistance to organizations or persons that provide humanitarian assistance or legal assistance to North Koreans who are outside of North Korea without the permission of the Government of North Korea. Prohibits U.S. agency humanitarian or nonhumanitarian assistance to the Government of North Korea without certification that North Korea has taken steps to ensure the humanitarian, nonpolitical use of such assistance. States that for refugee or asylum status under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a national of the Democratic Republic of Korea shall not be considered a national of the Republic of Korea. Directs the Secretary of State to designate natives or citizens of North Korea who were subjected to disproportionately harsh or discriminatory treatment for their political or religious beliefs as a priority refugee group. Provides, with respect to qualifying citizens and nationals of North Korea, for: (1) parole entry; (2) status adjustment to permanent resident; and (3) temporary protected status.
Bill· SS. 2187 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2004
HRIFA Improvement Act of 2004 - Amends the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 (HRIFA) to remove document fraud as a ground of inadmissibility for qualifying Haitians who apply for adjustment of status under HRIFA. Requires determinations regarding derivative status for the children of such qualifying Haitians to be made using the age of the child as of the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes parents or guardians of children seeking derivative status to file an adjustment application on the child's behalf if the child is physically present in the United States on the date of filing. Permits qualifying Haitians seeking benefits pursuant to this Act to file new status adjustment applications and motions to reopen. Extends to those who file such new applications or motions the same protection from exclusion, deportation, removal, or enforcement of a voluntary departure order as currently applies to HRIFA beneficiaries.
Bill· HRH.R. 3918 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2004
Comprehensive Immigration Fairness Reform Act of 2004 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to make permanently available the exception to the adjustment of status bar for beneficiaries of family petitions or labor certification applications. Adds grounds for discretionary waiver of inadmissibility. Authorizes K nonimmigrant status for family members of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who are awaiting immigrant visas. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security, in specified circumstances, to disregard as an aggravated felony (with immigration consequences) certain criminal convictions. Provides that a person who is a child on the last day of the 90-day period after an application for INA benefits (that has not been acted upon) is filed shall be considered to be a child for all purposes related to such application. Establishes a program for earned access to legalization. Expands the list of unfair immigration-related employment practices. Prohibits the disclosure of and reliance on immigration status and identity information obtained during related proceedings. Requires petitioners for nonimmigrant workers to file affidavits describing efforts to recruit U.S. citizens or LPRs. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish an employment training program for unemployed U.S. workers. Requires the Secretary of Labor to establish an Office to Preserve American Jobs. Doubles the numerical cap on worldwide diversity immigrant visas. Provides for adjustment of status of certain Haitian nationals. Eliminates mandatory detention in asylum seekers' expedited removal proceedings. Amends the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 to remove document fraud as a ground of inadmissibility and to address child-related determinations. Provides for adjustment of status of certain Liberian nationals and their family members. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to reduce the physical presence requirement for naturalization in extraordinary circumstances.
Bill· HRH.R. 3867 (108th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2004
Haitian Refugee Protection Act - Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti as a country whose nationals may be eligible for temporary protected status. Restricts eligibility for such status to aliens who were physically present in the United States on February 25, 2004.
Bill· SS. 2144 (108th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2004
Foreign Affairs Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2005 - Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes FY 2005 appropriations for the Department of State for: (1) administration of foreign affairs; (2) educational, cultural, and public diplomacy programs; (3) international organizations and conferences; and (4) international commissions. Authorizes FY 2005 appropriations for: (1) migration and refugee assistance; and (2) U.S. international broadcasting activities. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) interference with protective functions; (2) administrative subpoena authority; (3) Department of State authority for uniformed security officers; (4) prohibition on transfer of certain visa processing fees; (5) reimbursement from the United States Olympic Committee; (6) biotechnology promotion authority; and (7) the United States Diplomacy Center. Authorizes the establishment of the Latin America Civilian Government Security Program. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize establishment of the Fellowship of Hope Program. Revises provisions of such Act respecting: (1) reemployed Foreign Service annuitants; (2) home leave; (3) suspension of Foreign Service members without pay; and (4) repeal of the recertification requirement for Senior Foreign Service members. Amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 respecting the provision of living quarters and allowances to the United States representatives to the United Nations. Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 to place a 40 percent limit on the United States' share of assessments for UN peacekeeping operations after FY 2004. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise foreign terrorist organization-designation provisions. Provides for the strengthening of United States educational and cultural exchange programs with countries having a significant Muslim population. Edward R. Murrow Fellowship Act - Establishes the Edward R. Murrow Fellowship program pursuant to which the Broadcasting Board of Governors shall provide fellowships to foreign national journalists in positions at the Voice of America, RFE/RL, Incorporated, or Radio Free Asia. International Parental Child Abduction Prevention Act of 2004 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act revise provisions respecting the inadmissibility of aliens supporting international child abductors and relatives of such abductors. Authorizes fellowships for multidisciplinary training on nonproliferation issues. Limits fund use for any diplomatic facility in Jerusalem that is not under the supervision of the United States Ambassador to Israel. Reaffirms congressional policy regarding the criteria for recognition of a Palestinian state. Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to authorize grants for a Middle East Broadcasting Network. Peace Corps Charter for the 21st Century Act - Amends the Peace Corps Act to revise Peace Corps provisions, including increasing the size of the Peace Corps. Authorizes appropriations. Foreign Assistance Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2005 - Authorizes FY 2005 appropriations for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and other Acts for: (1) agricultural, educational, and environmental sectors, and the Development Fund for Africa; (2) child survival and health programs fund; (3) development credit authority; (4) technical assistance to foreign governments and foreign central banks of developing or transitional countries; (5) international programs and organizations; (6) international disaster assistance; (7) transition and development assistance; (8) assistance for the independent states of the former Soviet Union; (9) assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States; (10) operating expenses and capital investment funds of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); (11) millenium challenge assistance; (12) international narcotics control and law enforcement; (13) economic support fund; (14) assistance for Israel; (15) assistance for Egypt; (16) international military education and training; (17) peacekeeping operations; (18) nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related assistance; (19) foreign military financing program, including assistance for Israel and Egypt; (20) Inter-American Foundation; and (21) African Development Foundation. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 respecting: (1) assistance for nongovernmental organizations; (2) fund use for unanticipated contingencies; (3) lethal excess property; (4) reconstruction assistance under international disaster assistance authority; (5) assistance for the independent states of the former Soviet Union; (6) waiver of net proceeds resulting from disposal of U.S. defense articles provided to a foreign country on a grant basis; (7) transfer of certain obsolete or surplus defense articles in the war reserve stockpiles for allies to Israel; (8) additions to war reserve stockpiles for allies for FY 2004 and 2005; (9) restrictions on economic support funds for Lebanon; (10) administration of justice; (11) demining programs; (12) special waiver authority, including certain provisions respecting Germany; (13) prohibition of assistance for countries in default or to a government resulting from a military coup; (14) exceptions to the requirement for congressional notification of program changes; (15) alternative dispute resolution; (16) assistance for law enforcement forces; (17) special debt relief for the poorest countries; (18) Congo Basin Forest Partnership; (19) landmine clearance programs; and (20) designation of a Middle East Foundation. Amends the Arms Control Act respecting: (1) advance notice to Congress of sales or upgrades of defense articles and comprehensive export authorizations; (2) bilateral agreement requirement exceptions for defense item transfers to the United Kingdom and Australia; and (3) cataloging data and services to non-NATO countries. Makes certain waiver authority under the Freedom Support Act for assistance to independent States formerly under the Soviet Union permanent. Amends Federal law to extend Pakistan foreign assistance waivers. Authorizes Haitian Coast Guard defense purchases. Exempts NATO members, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand from certain license requirements for the transfer of commercial communications satellite information. Authorizes the transfer of certain missile frigate vessels to Portugal and Bahrain. Radiological Terrorism Security Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of State to report on embassy preparations to detect and mitigate radiological attacks. Authorizes the Secretary to assist foreign countries develop radiological response plans. Global Pathogen Surveillance Act of 2004 - Authorizes the Secretary to award fellowships to eligible nationals to pursue in the United States master of public health degrees with a concentration in epidemiology or advanced public health training in epidemiology. Directs the Secretary to support overseas pathogen identification training for laboratory technicians and other public health personnel. Authorizes: (1) assistance to eligible developing countries for public health laboratory and communications equipment to identify pathogens which may cause disease outbreaks or be used as a biological weapon; (2) assignment of U.S. public health officers or employees to enhance disease and pathogen surveillance efforts in developing countries; and (3) the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish new country or regional foreign epidemiology training programs in eligible developing countries. Directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) and the Department of Defense to expand their respective laboratories in eligible developing countries that conduct infectious disease research. Amends specified reporting provisions respecting: (1) territorial integrity; (2) Columbia; (3) foreign military training; (4) human rights in Haiti; and (5) arms and chemical weapons control compliance. Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 respecting certain claims for expropriation by the Government of Nicaragua. Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) Sierra Leone; (2) Ethiopia; (3) Somalia; and (4) the central African region and the central African countries of Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Authorizes the use of specified funds for the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program. Conditions the provision of certain funds to Indonesia upon the Government of Indonesia's investigation of the 2002 attack on U.S. citizens in West Papua. Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to make specified Caribbean countries eligible for assistance to combat HIV/AIDS.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 530 (108th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2004
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United State should continue to insist that the People's Republic of China adhere to fundamental human rights principles and allow its citizens full enjoyment of those rights. Declares that Congress urges the People's Republic of China to: (1) stop the persecution of all religious practitioners and safeguard fundamental human rights; (2) stop the forced return of North Korean refugees; (3) end its one-child per family policy and ensure that no government officials subject women to forced abortions or sterilizations; (4) hold an open investigation into the 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square, release all prisoners held in connection with that event, and pay compensation to the families who lost their loved ones; (5) release from detention all prisoners of conscience, persons held because of their religious activities, and persons of humanitarian concern, including named individuals; (6) release the 11th Panchen Lama; (7) adhere to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the 1951 Convention Relating to Refugees and its 1967 Protocol; and (8) allow visits to China by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, the United Nations Special Rapporteurs on Religious Intolerance and Torture, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.