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Bill· SS. 1704 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2017
Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) establish a program to permit an eligible deported noncitizen veteran to enter the United States as a lawful permanent resident alien and permit an eligible noncitizen veteran in the United States to adjust to lawful permanent resident status, and (2) cancel an eligible noncitizen veteran's removal and allow the individual to adjust to lawful permanent resident status. A veteran is eligible if the veteran has not been convicted of a crime of violence or a crime that endangers national security for which the veteran has served at least five years in prison. DHS may waive eligibility requirements for humanitarian, family unity, public interest, or exceptional military service reasons. A noncitizen veteran or service member may not be removed from the United States unless such individual has been convicted of a crime of violence. An individual who has obtained lawful permanent resident status pursuant to this bill shall be eligible for: (1) military and veterans benefits, and (2) naturalization through U.S. military service.
Bill· SS. 1703 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2017
Healthcare Opportunities for Patriots in Exile Act or the HOPE Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Department of Homeland Security to parole into the United States an alien veteran who: (1) is seeking temporary admission to receive health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and (2) is outside the United States after having been ordered removed or voluntarily departed from the United States. Such parole shall not be available for an alien who is inadmissible due to a criminal conviction for a crime of violence, excluding a purely political offense, or a crime that endangers U.S. national security, for which the alien has served at least five years in prison.
Bill· SS. 1676 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2017
Broadband Connections for Rural Opportunities Program Act or the B-CROP Act This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to include grants in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides loans and loan guarantees for broadband telecommunications services in rural areas. In making grants, loans, or loan guarantees under the program, USDA must give the highest priority to applicants that offer to provide broadband service to the greatest proportion of unserved rural households or rural households that do not have the minimum acceptable level of residential broadband service. USDA must then give priority to projects to serve rural communities that: have fewer than 10,000 permanent residents, are experiencing out-migration, have a high percentage of low-income residents, and are isolated from other significant population centers. A grant may not exceed 50% of the development cost of the project. USDA may increase the limit to 75% for projects that serve a remote or low-income area that does not have access to broadband service from any provider. USDA must: (1) provide technical assistance and training to entities that are eligible for the loans, loan guarantees, or grants; and (2) use a specified portion of the appropriations provided for the program for this purpose. The bill sets forth reporting requirements for recipients of the grants, loans, or loan guarantees.
Bill· HRH.R. 3600 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2017
Census Accuracy Act of 2017 This bill requires any questionnaire used in the decennial census to determine the total population by states to include: (1) a checkbox or other similar option for a respondent to indicate whether he or she is a U.S. citizen or U.S. national, is lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, is an alien who otherwise has lawful status under the immigration laws, or is none of these; and (2) a question regarding which federal program or legal provision accorded the respondent such status.
Bill· HRH.R. 3548 (115th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2017
Border Security for America Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) construct and operate infrastructure and technology to deter and detect illegal border activity in high traffic areas, (2) deploy the most practical and effective technology to achieve situational awareness and operational control of the border, (3) deploy additional capabilities to specified border sectors or regions, (4) submit a plan for evaluating and using independent verification and validation resources for border security technology, (5) establish a National Border Security Advisory Committee, (6) submit a southern border threat analysis, (7) implement the Border Security Deployment Program, (8) establish a biometric exit data system, and (9) begin eradicating the carrizo cane plant and any salt cedar along the Rio Grande River. The bill provides for: (1) U.S. Border Patrol personnel increases and infrastructure improvements, including forward base upgrades along the southern border; and (2) National Guard and Department of Defense border assistance. The bill: (1) prohibits federal agency restrictions on U.S. Customs and Border Protection activities on federal land within 100 miles of the border, (2) requires increases in immigration and law enforcement personnel and agricultural specialists, (3) authorizes appropriations for specified immigration purposes, and (4) requires electronic passport screening and biometric matching at airports of entry. The Anti-Border Corruption Act of 2010 is amended to provide for hiring flexibility. Operation Stonegarden is established as a DHS program to provide border security grants. This bill authorizes DHS to construct new ports of entry along the northern and southern borders.
Bill· HRH.R. 3591 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2017
American Hope Act of 2017 This bill amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to allow a state to extend higher-education benefits to state residents regardless of whether they are lawfully present in the United States. In addition, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to cancel the removal, and adjust the status, of certain residents who entered the United States as children prior to 2017. An individual whose status has been so adjusted shall be considered to have obtained conditional permanent-resident status, valid for a period of eight years and subject to termination on the basis of specified deportable conduct. In order for an individual's conditional status to become permanent, the individual must timely file with DHS a petition indicating, among other specified information, that the individual has maintained conditional permanent-resident status for at least three years. Any period of time in which the individual was granted deferred action pursuant to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy shall count toward this three-year period. Information furnished by an individual in such a petition may not be used by an officer or employee of the United States to initiate removal proceedings. The bill also: (1) allows DHS to establish a competitive grant program for the provision of nonprofit assistance to eligible applicants for conditional permanent-resident status; (2) establishes the Presidential Award for Business Leadership in Promoting American Citizenship; (3) allows the Department of Education to develop an open-source, electronic English-learning program; (4) specifies requirements related to federal higher-education assistance for individuals with conditional permanent-resident status; and (5) requires the Government Accountability Office to report on specified data related to the bill.
Bill· HRH.R. 3563 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2017
Veterans' Pathway to Citizenship Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that a current or former member of the Armed Forces who would be eligible for naturalization but is not because of failure to complete a specified period of residence or physical presence within the United States or failure to maintain lawful permanent resident status shall be deemed to be a lawful permanent resident and to have fulfilled any residency and physical presence requirements solely for naturalization purposes. With respect to any such individual seeking naturalization: (1) a prior removal may be not taken into account for purposes of any immigration benefit or in determining deportability or inadmissibility, and (2) an offense for which a pardon was received may not be taken into account for naturalization purposes unless the offense was the same offense that caused the individual's separation from the Armed Forces in any manner other than honorable. A military recruiter or officer overseeing an enlistment shall inform every recruit of, and the Department of Homeland Security shall provide every separating member of the Armed Forces with notice of, naturalization options and available naturalization assistance services. In the case of a current or former member of the Armed Forces who would be eligible for naturalization but is not because of failure to timely file an application for naturalization, a subsequently filed naturalization application shall be reviewed as if it were timely filed. This provision is repealed one year after the date of enactment of the bill.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 492 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2017
Expresses the ongoing concern of the House of Representatives regarding the deportation of Jose Escobar to El Salvador and his separation from his wife and two children. Encourages: (1) the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to jointly investigate and consider all reasonable solutions to reunite Jose Escobar with his family, and (2) the Trump administration and Congress to work together to pass comprehensive immigration reform to prevent the inhumane deportation and tragic separation of families.
Bill· HRH.R. 3513 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2017
Canadian Snowbird Visa Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Department of Homeland Security to admit into the United States as a nonimmigrant visitor for a period not to exceed 240 days during any single 365-day period a Canadian citizen who: (1) is at least 50 years old, (2) maintains a Canadian residence and owns a U.S. residence or has rented a U.S. accommodation for the duration of such stay, (3) is not inadmissible or deportable, (4) will not engage in employment or labor for hire in the United States other than for a non U.S.-based person or entity by whom the Canadian citizen was employed in Canada or for whom the Canadian citizen performed services in Canada, and (5) will not seek any form of assistance or benefit under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. The spouse of such person may be admitted under the same terms except that he or she is not required to separately satisfy the residence/housing requirements. The bill grants a person so admitted nonresident alien tax status.
Bill· HRH.R. 3471 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2017
American Job Creation and Investment Into Public Works Reform Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise EB-5 (alien immigrant investor) provisions, including regional center program provisions. The bill prescribes E-B5 requirements regarding: (1) fund sources; (2) threats to the national interest; and (3) fraud, misrepresentation, and criminal misuse. Future program participation is barred for a person who knowingly participated in conduct that caused a program center's termination. The EB-5 regional center program is extended through September 30, 2022. EB-5 investors must be at least 18 years old. The bill: (1) provides initial conditional permanent resident status for an alien investor (and the investor's spouse and children), and (2) sets aside 2,000 EB-5 visas for immigrants who invest in rural areas, 2,000 for immigrants who invest in priority urban investment areas, and 2,000 for immigrants who invest in infrastructure projects. A regional center shall operate within a defined geographic area and shall be consistent with the purpose of concentrating pooled investment within such area. The bill prescribes job creation requirements. Approved regional centers must give advance notice to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of significant proposed changes to their organizational structure, ownership, or administration. U.S. nationals are included in the minimum of 10 U.S. persons for whom an EB-5 project must provide employment. Only a U.S. national or lawfully admitted permanent resident may be involved with a regional center. A regional center shall monitor and supervise all offers, purchases, and sales of securities made by associated parties to ensure compliance with U.S. securities laws. The bill establishes the EB-5 Integrity Fund. The bill prescribes fund source and gift restrictions. Minimum investment amounts are increased. The bill authorizes concurrent filing of EB-5 petitions and applications for adjustment to conditional lawful permanent resident status.
Bill· HRH.R. 3474 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2017
Border Security and Accountability Act 2017 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), together with other specified departments, to submit to Congress and the Government Accountability Office a U.S. border protection strategy. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 is amended to require that international land border control actions accord with that strategy. DHS shall implement: a monitoring and mitigation plan to address the ecological and environmental impacts of security infrastructure along the international land borders of the United States; and a plan to improve coordination among U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other federal, state, local, or tribal authorities to improve efforts to combat human smuggling. CBP shall make available to the public information collected on migrant deaths occurring along the U.S.-Mexico border. Except in a national emergency or when required for specific counterterrorism duties, the Armed Forces may not assist in federal, state, and local and civilian law enforcement of immigration laws. DHS shall establish a Border Communities Liaison Office in every patrol sector at the southern and northern borders. The bill prescribes requirements for enhanced border cooperation with Mexico, including in the areas of: (1) border security, (2) human trafficking and smuggling, (3) drug trafficking, (4) gang membership, and (5) violence and border deaths. DHS shall establish a Southern Border Security Task Force. The bill establishes the Southern Border Security Commission. DHS shall: issue policies regarding the use of force by DHS personnel; establish standards for the conditions of confinement for children in CBP custody; and consider safety and family concerns in any action related to the repatriation or prosecution of individuals apprehended for immigration violations. DHS may not establish any new border crossing fees for individuals crossing at land ports of entry along the southern and northern borders. DHS must certify to Congress every six months, with specified exceptions, that it has only deported or otherwise removed a migrant from the United States through an entry or exit point on the southern border during daylight hours. DHS shall make specified increases to the total number of full-time CBP officers and support staff at U.S. land ports of entry by September 30, 2022. Each component of DHS shall comply with the Department of Justice Guidance for Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Regarding the Use of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, National Origin, Religion, Sexual Orientation, or Gender Identity.
Bill· HRH.R. 3479 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2017
Secure Miles with All Resources and Technology Act This bill amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deploy the most practical and effective technology available (such as radar, tunnel detection technology, unmanned aerial vehicles, and sensors) to achieve situational awareness and operational control along the U.S. border. DHS shall submit to Congress a comprehensive southern border strategy, which shall include: (1) a list of known physical barriers, technologies, tools, and other devices to achieve situational awareness and operational control of the border and their related cost estimates; and (2) information from federal, state, local, and private sources. DHS shall begin eradicating the carrizo cane plant and salt cedar along the Rio Grande River. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended to establish Operation Stonegarden in DHS to provide border security grants to law enforcement agencies: (1) in a state bordering Canada or Mexico or a maritime border state or territory, and (2) involved in an ongoing U.S. Customs and Border Protection operation coordinated through a sector office. DHS shall establish a two-year grant program to improve emergency communications in the southern border region for individuals who: (1) reside or work in a southern border state, and (2) are at greater risk of violence due to border proximity and a lack of residential or business cellular and LTE network service. Such grants may be used to purchase satellite telephone communications systems and services that provide access to 9-1-1 service and that are equipped with Global Positioning System receivers.
Bill· HRH.R. 3486 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2017
Ending the Sanctuary Capitol Policy Act of 2017 This bill authorizes U.S. Capitol Police officers, in the performance of official duties, to make arrests and otherwise enforce immigration laws within the District of Columbia.
Bill· HRH.R. 3440 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2017
Dream Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to cancel removal and grant lawful permanent resident status on a conditional basis to an alien who is inadmissible or deportable or is in temporary protected status who: (1) has been continuously physically present in the United States for four years preceding this bill's enactment; (2) was younger than 18 years of age on the initial date of U.S. entry; (3) is not inadmissible on criminal, security, terrorism, or other grounds; (4) has not participated in persecution; (5) has not been convicted of specified federal or state offenses; and (6) has fulfilled specified educational requirements. DHS shall cancel the removal of, and adjust to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence on a conditional basis, an alien who was granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status unless the alien has engaged in conduct that would make the alien ineligible for DACA. DHS may not: (1) grant conditional permanent resident status without the submission of biometric and background data, and completion of background and medical checks; and (2) disclose or use information provided in applications filed under this bill or in DACA requests for immigration enforcement purposes. The bill prescribes the conditions under which DHS: (1) may terminate a person's conditional permanent resident status, and (2) shall adjust a person's conditional status to permanent resident status. The bill: (1) sets forth documentation requirements for establishing DACA eligibility, and (2) repeals the denial of an unlawful alien's eligibility for higher education benefits based on state residence.
Bill· HRH.R. 3429 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2017
Repatriate Our Patriots Act This bill prohibits a special veteran from being removed from the United States. A special veteran: (1) is an alien veteran who was discharged or released from military service under conditions other than dishonorable; (2) includes only an honorably discharged or released individual; and (3) excludes an individual convicted of voluntary manslaughter, murder, rape, sexual abuse of a minor, or terrorism-related offenses or an individual determined to be a child abuser or a pedophile. DHS: (1) shall process naturalization applications for special veterans within 90 days; and (2) may permit special veterans to file naturalization applications from abroad and take the oath of allegiance at U.S. embassies, consulates, and military installations. DHS shall: (1) cancel the removal of a special veteran in removal proceedings, and (2) allow a special veteran whose permanent resident status was rescinded to adjust back to such status. The Department of Justice, in the case of a special veteran who was ordered removed, shall rescind any outstanding order of removal and any finding that the individual is subject to removal or is inadmissible. DHS shall create a program to allow a special veteran who was removed to return to the United States as a lawfully admitted permanent resident. A special veteran who has been naturalized or who has obtained lawful permanent resident status pursuant to this bill shall be eligible for all military and veterans benefits for which such individual would have been eligible otherwise. DHS shall identify and maintain records of immigration cases involving special veterans.
Law· SS. 1617 (115th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2017
Javier Vega, Jr. Memorial Act of 2017 This bill designates the checkpoint of the U.S. Border Patrol located on U.S. Highway 77 North in Sarita, Texas, as the "Javier Vega, Jr. Border Patrol Checkpoint."
Bill· HRH.R. 3375 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2017
Javier Vega, Jr. Memorial Act of 2017 This bill designates the checkpoint of the U.S. Border Patrol located on U.S. Highway 77 North in Sarita, Texas, as the "Javier Vega, Jr. Border Patrol Checkpoint."
Bill· HRH.R. 3355 (115th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2017
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2018 Provides FY2018 appropriations to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Provides appropriations for Departmental Management, Operations, Intelligence, and Oversight for: the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management; the Management Directorate; Intelligence, Analysis, and Operations Coordination; and the Office of Inspector General. Provides appropriations for Security, Enforcement, and Investigations for: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Secret Service. Provides appropriations for Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery for: the National Protection and Programs Directorate, the Office of Health Affairs, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Provides appropriations for Research, Development, Training, and Services for: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, the Science and Technology Directorate, and the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office. Sets forth permissible and prohibited uses for funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts. Rescinds specified amounts previously appropriated to DHS.
Bill· HRH.R. 3352 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017
Second Chance for Service Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an applicant for citizenship who served honorably in the Armed Forces is not barred from becoming a U.S. citizen on the grounds of not being a person of good moral character based upon specified behaviors or having committed certain crimes, excluding crimes relating to murder, rape, sexual abuse of a minor, child pornography, prostitution, trafficking in persons, and national security. In determining whether an applicant is of good moral character, the applicant's honorable service shall be weighed against any finding of having committed such behaviors or crimes.
Bill· HRH.R. 3351 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017
Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for up to 8,000 employment-based immigrant visas per fiscal year for qualifying nurses, physical therapists, and other health care workers (excluding physicians) and their accompanying family members. Such aliens are exempted from worldwide and foreign state numerical limits. A petition filed on behalf of such an immigrant must be accompanied by evidence that the prospective U.S. employer has the ability to pay the proffered wage.
Bill· HRH.R. 3324 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017
Knowledgeable Innovators and Worthy Investors Act or the KIWI Act This bill makes New Zealand nationals eligible to enter the United States as nonimmigrant traders and investors as provided for under the Immigration and Nationality Act if New Zealand provides reciprocal nonimmigrant treatment to U.S. nationals.
Bill· SS. 1615 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017
Dream Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to cancel removal and grant lawful permanent resident status on a conditional basis to an alien who is inadmissible or deportable or is in temporary protected status who: (1) has been continuously physically present in the United States for four years preceding this bill's enactment; (2) was younger than 18 years of age on the initial date of U.S. entry; (3) is not inadmissible on criminal, security, terrorism, or other grounds; (4) has not participated in persecution; (5) has not been convicted of specified federal or state offenses; and (6) has fulfilled specified educational requirements. DHS shall cancel the removal of, and adjust to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence on a conditional basis, an alien who was granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status unless the alien has engaged in conduct that would make the alien ineligible for DACA. DHS may not: (1) grant conditional permanent resident status without the submission of biometric and background data, and completion of background and medical checks; and (2) disclose or use information provided in applications filed under this bill or in DACA requests for immigration enforcement purposes. The bill prescribes the conditions under which DHS: (1) may terminate a person's conditional permanent resident status, and (2) shall adjust a person's conditional status to permanent resident status. The bill: (1) sets forth documentation requirements for establishing DACA eligibility, and (2) repeals the denial of an unlawful alien's eligibility for higher education benefits based on state residence.
Bill· HRH.R. 3297 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2017
Paperwork Reduction for Farmers Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to establish a process for filing petitions for nonimmigrant temporary agricultural workers (H-2A visa) that ensures that: (1) petitions may be filed through Labor's website or in a paper format, and (2) any technical deficiency in the petition will be indicated to the petitioner before submission. An employer that has received a request for evidence from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) may request that such evidence request be delivered in an online format. CIS, within 10 days of the employer's submission of evidence, shall: (1) provide an online response indicating whether the evidence is sufficient; and (2) if the evidence is insufficient, provide the employer with an opportunity to address the deficiencies. The Immigration and Nationality Act is amended to include year-round equine or livestock workers (including dairy or poultry workers) within the H-2A visa category. The requirement that apple pressing be performed on a farm in order to qualify for H-2A status is eliminated. The bill permits multiple employers to submit a joint petition to import nonimmigrant H-2A visa temporary agricultural workers. Upon approval of such petition, each joint employer shall be subject to the Act's H-2A provisions with respect to each alien listed in the petition. An employer seeking to rehire H-2A workers who previously worked for the employer as H-2A workers at any time may submit a simplified petition, to be developed by CIS, which shall include a certification that the employer complies with all applicable employment requirements. Such petitions shall be approved upon completion of applicable security screenings. An employer seeking to hire H-2A workers during different time periods in a given fiscal year may submit a single petition to CIS detailing each alien's employment period.
Bill· SS. 1578 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2017
Paperwork Reduction for Farmers Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to establish a process for filing petitions for nonimmigrant temporary agricultural workers (H-2A visa) that ensures that: (1) petitions may be filed through Labor's website or in a paper format, and (2) any technical deficiency in the petition will be indicated to the petitioner before submission. An employer that has received a request for evidence from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) may request that such evidence request be delivered in an online format. CIS, within 10 days of the employer's submission of evidence, shall: (1) provide an online response indicating whether the evidence is sufficient; and (2) if the evidence is insufficient, provide the employer with an opportunity to address the deficiencies. The Immigration and Nationality Act is amended to include year-round equine or livestock workers (including dairy or poultry workers) within the H-2A visa category. The requirement that apple pressing be performed on a farm in order to qualify for H-2A status is eliminated. The bill permits multiple employers to submit a joint petition to import nonimmigrant H-2A visa temporary agricultural workers. Upon approval of such petition, each joint employer shall be subject to the Act's H-2A provisions with respect to each alien listed in the petition. An employer seeking to rehire H-2A workers who previously worked for the employer as H-2A workers at any time may submit a simplified petition, to be developed by CIS, which shall include a certification that the employer complies with all applicable employment requirements. Such petitions shall be approved upon completion of applicable security screenings. An employer seeking to hire H-2A workers during different time periods in a given fiscal year may submit a single petition to CIS detailing each alien's employment period.
Bill· SS. 1574 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2017
Vietnam Human Rights Sanctions Act of 2017 This bill requires the President to: (1) impose financial and immigration/entry sanctions on listed nationals of Vietnam who are complicit in human rights abuses committed against nationals of Vietnam or their family members, regardless of whether such abuses occurred in Vietnam; and (2) submit to Congress a publicly available list of individuals determined to be complicit in such human rights abuses. The President may waive sanctions to comply with international agreements or if in the U.S. national interest. Sanctions shall be terminated if the President certifies to Congress that the government of Vietnam has: (1) released all political prisoners; (2) ceased its practices of violence, detention, and abuse of citizens of Vietnam engaging in peaceful political activity; and (3) conducted a transparent investigation into the killings, arrest, and abuse of such political activists and prosecuted those responsible. It is the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S.-Vietnam relationship cannot progress while the government of Vietnam's human rights record continues to deteriorate, and (2) the Secretary of State should designate Vietnam as a country of particular concern with respect to religious freedom.
Bill· HRH.R. 3265 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2017
E-2 Visa Improvement Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit a nonimmigrant E-2 alien (treaty investor) who has been in the United States in such status for at least 10 years and has created full-time employment for at least 2 individuals to apply for immediate employment-based immigrant status. Up to 10,000 such visas may be made available each fiscal year. Sons and daughters of E-2 aliens (or aliens seeking such status) can remain on their parent's visa as a child until age 26. Employment authorization may be granted at age 18.
Bill· HRH.R. 3250 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2017
9/11 Immigrant Worker Freedom Act This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to adjust to permanent resident the status a qualifying alien who applies for adjustment not later than one year after enactment of this bill and who, after the September 11, 2011, terrorist attacks: worked or volunteered on site in rescue, recovery, debris cleanup, or related support services in lower Manhattan, the Staten Island Landfill, or the barge loading piers for a specified number of hours during certain periods between September 11, 2001, and July 31, 2002; was a vehicle-maintenance worker who was exposed to debris from the former World Trade Center while retrieving, driving, cleaning, repairing, and maintaining vehicles contaminated by airborne toxins for any time during such period; or was a member of a fire or police department, worked for a recovery or cleanup contractor, or was a volunteer and performed rescue, recovery, demolition, debris cleanup, or other related services at the Pentagon site during the period between September 11, 2001, and November 19, 2001, or at the Shanksville, Pennsylvania, site during the period between September 11, 2001-October 3, 2001. DHS may authorize an alien who has applied for adjustment of status under this bill to work during the pendency of his or her application.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 448 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2017
Recognizes the accomplishments and significant contributions of Vietnamese Americans in the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 3227 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2017
Justice is Not For Sale Act of 2017 This bill requires federal, state, and local governments to directly operate and perform core services at adult prisons and detention centers. It reestablishes parole for eligible federal prisoners sentenced on or after January 1, 2017. (The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 eliminated parole for offenders convicted of federal crimes committed after November 1, 1987.) It requires financial service providers at prisons and detention centers to impose reasonable and proportional fees and charges for money transfer services. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau must assess such fees or charges. The Federal Communications Commission must cap prison phone call rates and connection charges, require telecommunications providers to offer collect and debit account call services, restrict commission payments and ancillary charges, and require correctional facility administrators to allow more than one telecommunications provider. The bill eliminates the requirement for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to maintain at least 34,000 detention beds. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must establish alternatives to detention programs and determine detention bed capacity based solely on detention needs. DHS must conduct annual inspections and routine oversight of detention facilities. The bill prohibits family detention; requires alternatives to detention programs for detained family units; and prohibits separating a family to detain a family member, except to detain an alien parent who is dangerous and inadmissible on terrorism grounds. Finally, the bill establishes a private right of action for a person aggrieved by a violation of this bill.
Bill· SS. 1560 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2017
Integrity in Border and Immigration Enforcement Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to administer a polygraph examination to all applicants for law enforcement positions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). DHS may not hire those who do not pass the polygraph test. As part of background reinvestigations, DHS shall administer a polygraph examination to ICE and CBP agents who are at risk of corruption or misconduct. Additionally, DHS must randomly administer a polygraph examination each year to at least 5% of CBP and ICE agents who are undergoing background reinvestigations.
Bill· HRH.R. 3212 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2017
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to reauthorize the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) through FY2021. SCAAP provides payments to state, local, and tribal governments to offset the costs of incarcerating certain undocumented criminal aliens. It expands the definition of “undocumented criminal alien” to include an alien who has been charged with a felony or two or more misdemeanors. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Justice to reimburse a state, local, or tribal government for incarceration costs and medical expenses of a criminal alien whose immigration status cannot be verified by the Department of Homeland Security. (Currently, a criminal alien with lawful immigration status does not meet the criteria for SCAAP reimbursement.)
Bill· HRH.R. 3133 (115th)open
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2017
Streamlining Environmental Approvals Act of 2017 or the SEA Act of 2017 This bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to: (1) limit the scope of the moratorium on taking and importing marine mammals and marine mammal products, and (2) revise the requirements for obtaining an authorization for incidentally taking by harassment marine mammals (incidental harassment authorizations or IHAs). Harassment is an act of pursuit, torment or annoyance which has the potential to either: (1) injure a marine mammal in the wild; or (2) disturb a marine mammal by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, such as migration or breeding. The bill: (1) allows persons who are not U.S. citizens to make requests to obtain IHAs, (2) eliminates the requirement that the taking occur within a specific geographic region, and (3) permits more than a small number of marine mammals to be taken. Monitoring requirements under an IHA must be efficient and practical. Additionally, the bill eliminates a requirement that IHAs prescribe reporting requirements. Any condition imposed by an IHA for minimizing adverse impacts on marine mammals may not result in more than a minor change to the activity and may not alter the activity's basic design, location, scope, duration, or timing. The bill establishes a process and deadlines for approving or denying IHAs, including a process for extending IHAs. Any taking of a marine mammal in compliance with an IHA is exempt from the prohibitions on takings under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Bill· SS. 1517 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2017
HERO Improvements Act of 2017 This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide statutory authority for the Human Exploitation Rescue Operation (HERO) Child-Rescue Corps Program within the Cyber Crimes Center of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The HERO Child-Rescue Corps Program, operated in partnership with the Department of Defense and the National Association to Protect Children, must recruit, train, equip, and employ wounded, ill, and injured veterans and other members of the military to combat and prevent child exploitation.
Bill· HRH.R. 3103 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2017
This bill requires the Departments of Defense (DOD) and of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a joint study on aliens who are or were veterans who were removed from the United States between January 1990 and January 2017. DOD and DHS shall then report to Congress on: the number of aliens removed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during such period who served on active duty or in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces for more than 180 days, the country of origin for each such alien, the number of such aliens who were discharged or released from service under honorable conditions, the grounds for removal under the Immigration and Nationality Act for each such alien, whether each such alien appealed the removal order, the length of time each such alien served in the Armed Forces, the number of such aliens who were deployed overseas as members of the Armed Forces, the number who served on active duty in a combat theater of operations, and the number who were awarded service medals.
Bill· HRH.R. 3087 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2017
Tibetan Refugee Assistance Act of 2017 This bill makes 3,000 immigrant visas available in FY2017-FY2019 for individuals who were born in Tibet and have been continuously residing in India or Nepal prior to the date of the enactment of this Act. An individual shall be considered to be a native of Tibet if such individual was born in Tibet or is the son, daughter, grandson, or granddaughter of an individual born in Tibet. The bill provides derivative status for accompanying/following spouses and children.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 415 (115th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2017
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3004) to amend section 276 of the Immigration and Nationality Act relating to reentry of removed aliens, and providing for proceedings during the period from July 3, 2017, through July 10, 2017.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 414 (115th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2017
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3003) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to modify provisions relating to assistance by States, and political subdivision of States, in the enforcement of Federal immigration laws.
Bill· HRH.R. 3020 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2017
Border Enforcement Accountability, Oversight, and Community Engagement Act of 2017 This bill establishes: (1) the Department of Homeland Security Border Oversight Commission, and (2) a northern border subcommittee and a southern border subcommittee within the commission. The commission and the subcommittees shall: (1) recommend border enforcement policy improvements; (2) evaluate policies of federal agencies operating along the borders to protect due process and human rights of border residents and visitors, protect land owner private property rights, and reduce the number of migrant deaths; (3) recommend safety improvements for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel; and (4) evaluate training and the extent to which CBP supervisory and management personnel practices encourage workforce development and promote field safety. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended to rename the position of Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the Ombudsman for Border and Immigration Related Concerns. Related function and administrative provisions are revised, including requiring the ombudsman to establish a Border Community Liaison Office in each Border Patrol sector on the northern and southern borders. The bill sets forth specified training and continuing education requirements for CBP personnel. DHS shall submit to Congress an assessment of current guidelines for managing ports of entry under DHS control. The bill requires: (1) the CBP to report to Congress regarding deaths occurring along the U.S.-Mexico border and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review such report; (2) the GAO to examine the extent to which the CBP has clarified use of force policies and DHS to require the CBP to implement any recommendations contained in such examination; and (3) the CBP to report to Congress on body camera use.
Bill· HRH.R. 3004 (115th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2017
Kate's Law This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise provisions relating to the reentry of removed aliens. The bill provides that an alien who has been excluded, deported, removed, or denied admission, or who has departed the United States while under an outstanding order of exclusion, deportation, or removal, and who subsequently crosses or attempts to cross the border into the United States, shall be fined, imprisoned not more than two years, or both. The bill revises reentry of criminal offender provisions to provide that an alien who was convicted before such removal or departure of: three or more misdemeanors or for a felony shall be fined, imprisoned up to 10 years, or both; a felony for which the alien was sentenced to not less than 30 months in prison shall be fined, imprisoned up to 15 years, or both; a felony for which the alien was sentenced to not less than 60 months shall be fined, imprisoned up to 20 years, or both; or murder, rape, kidnapping, or a felony offense relating to peonage and slavery or terrorism, or of three or more felonies of any kind, shall be fined, imprisoned up to 25 years, or both. An alien who has been excluded, deported, removed, or denied admission three or more times and thereafter enters, attempts to enter, or crosses or attempts to cross the border to, or is at any time found in, the United States shall be fined, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
Bill· HRH.R. 3003 (115th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2017
No Sanctuary for Criminals Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit any federal, state, or local government from prohibiting any government entity, official, or employee from complying with the immigration laws or cooperating with federal law enforcement of such laws. The bill expands the scope of law enforcement activities relating to immigration-related information that a federal, state, or local government may not restrict or prohibit. A non-complying state or political subdivision shall not be eligible to receive specified grants and assistance, including Department of Justice or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants that are substantially related to law enforcement, terrorism, national security, immigration, or naturalization. DHS: (1) may decline to transfer an alien in its custody to a non-complying state or political subdivision regardless of whether the state or political subdivision has issued a writ or warrant; (2) may issue a detainer if it has probable cause to believe that an individual arrested by a federal, state, or local law enforcement official for an alleged violation of any criminal or motor vehicle law is inadmissible or deportable; and (3) shall not transfer an alien with a final order of removal to a non-complying state or political subdivision. The bill: (1) creates a private right of action for victims of murder, rape, or certain felony offenses; (2) expands the categories of offenses requiring mandatory detention; (3) provides immunity for a state or local government entity or official temporarily holding an alien in custody under color of federal authority; (4) provides that an alien may be detained, and a criminal alien shall be detained, without time limitation during the pendency of removal proceedings; and (5) restricts a detained alien's release on bond.
Bill· HRH.R. 3012 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2017
Empowering Youth Through Summer Employment Act This bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to: (1) increase the authorization of appropriations for youth workforce investment activities (relating to migrant and seasonal workers) for FY2018-FY2020, and (2) extend such authorization through FY2022.
Bill· SS. 1399 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2017
Partner with Korea Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to create an E-4 treaty trader visa category for up to 15,000 nationals of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) each fiscal year who are coming to the United States solely to perform specialty occupation services and with respect to whom the Department of Labor has certified to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State that the intending employer has filed an attestation concerning U.S. worker protections with Labor.
Bill· HRH.R. 2826 (115th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2017
Refugee Program Integrity Restoration Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) establish the number of annual refugee admissions at 50,000, (2) authorize the President to submit an adjustment recommendation to Congress for approval based upon humanitarian or national interest concerns, and (3) provide that the President must submit emergency refugee admission recommendations to Congress for approval. The President shall (currently, may) terminate the refugee status of a person not entitled to such status. Refugee status is terminated for an individual who applied for such status because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution in the country from which he or she sought refuge on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, but who has returned to such country absent changed conditions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall, when processing refugee applications from individuals seeking refuge from a "country of particular concern," grant priority to minority religion applicants whose claims are based on persecution because of their religion. DHS may conduct recurrent background security checks of an admitted refugee until the refugee adjusts to permanent resident status. Waiver authorities are limited with respect to refugee inadmissibility and permanent resident status adjustment. With respect to refugee status adjustment to permanent resident: (1) required U.S. residency is increased to three years; (2) an in-person DHS interview is required; (3) five-year reexaminations are required for a refugee whose status adjustment is refused; and (4) deportability grounds, with an exception for public charge grounds, shall be grounds for refusal of status adjustment. Resettlement of any refugee may not be provided for in any state or locality in which the governor, chief executive, or legislature has taken action disapproving such resettlement. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) shall complete a refugee processing fraud study. DHS shall: (1) establish a program to detect the use of fraudulent documents in refugee admissions applications, which shall include placement of fraud detection officers at screening locations; and (2) use digital recording technology to record USCIS refugee interviews. A person may not be considered a refugee if such person fled from violence in his or her country of nationality if the violence: (1) was not specifically directed at the person; or (2) was specifically directed at the person but not because of that person's race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Prior to U.S. refugee admission, DHS shall ensure that an alien is not a threat to U.S. national security based on a background check that includes a review of the alien's publicly available Internet interactions, including social media services.
Law· SS. 1312 (115th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2017
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017 This bill expands the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) authority to issue public safety and community policing grants to include funds for training of school resource officers in the prevention of human trafficking offenses. DOJ may bring a civil action in a federal court to enjoin persons from violating federal laws pertaining to the trafficking of persons and the sexual exploitation of children. The bill amends the purposes for which the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children may spend funds from grants issued by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Protection. The bill formally establishes in Immigration and Customs Enforcement the Office of Victim Assistance and delineates the functions of that office. DOJ's Office of Victims of Crimes may use not more than 1% of the amount to be distributed from the Crime Victims Fund to provide and improve direct assistance services for crime victims. DOJ, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Labor shall periodically implement improvements to the training programs on human trafficking for their employees. DOJ shall ensure that each human trafficking program operated by DOJ includes training on screening all adults and children suspected of engaging in commercial sex acts to determine whether individuals are victims of human trafficking. DOJ shall issue a screening protocol for use during all anti-trafficking law enforcement operations in which DOJ is involved.
Bill· HRH.R. 2805 (115th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2017
This bill amends the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards Act of 2011 to permanently authorize the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation business travel card program. (The program, which provides persons who are engaged in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation business with expedited airport processing, is scheduled to end on September 30, 2018.)
Bill· HRH.R. 2761 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2017
Healthcare Opportunities for Patriots in Exile (HOPE) Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Department of Homeland Security to parole into the United States an alien veteran who: (1) is seeking temporary admission to receive health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and (2) resides permanently abroad after having been removed or voluntarily departed from the United States. Such parole shall not be available for an alien who is inadmissible due to a criminal conviction for: (1) a crime of violence for which the alien has served at least five years in prison, or (2) a crime that endangers U.S. national security for which the alien has served at least five years in prison.
Bill· HRH.R. 2760 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2017
Immigrant Veterans Eligibility Tracking System (I-VETS) Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: identify aliens, when they apply for an immigration benefit or are placed in an immigration enforcement proceeding, who are serving, or have served, as a member of a regular or reserve component of the Armed Forces on active duty or as a member of a reserve component in an active status; and annotate all DHS immigration and naturalization records relating to an identified alien to reflect such identification and afford an opportunity to track the outcomes for such aliens.
Bill· HRH.R. 2752 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2017
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Authorization Act This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to: (1) establish, by statute, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services within the Department of Homeland Security; and (2) remove references to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Bill· HRH.R. 2751 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2017
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Authorization Act This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to: (1) establish, by statute, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the Department of Homeland Security; (2) establish within ICE the Offices of Homeland Security Investigations, Enforcement and Removal Operations, Principal Legal Advisor, and Professional Responsibility; and (3) remove references to the Bureau of Border Security.
Bill· HRH.R. 2724 (115th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017
Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to replace the diversity visa program with a paying immigrant program under which an immigrant visa can be obtained by paying a $1 million fee (and a $500,000 fee for an accompanying child under the age of 18). The bill establishes a fiscal year limit of 55,000 visas for such immigrants. A Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Account is established in the Treasury for such fees (except for certain of such fees allocated to individuals who facilitate the application process for such immigrants) which shall be used for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Such an immigrant who otherwise meets the naturalization requirements shall be naturalized within two years (rather than five years) of being lawfully admitted for permanent residence.