Immigration

STAPLE Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Stopping Trained in America Ph.D.s From Leaving the Economy Act of 2017 or the STAPLE Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from: (1) direct numerical limitations aliens who have earned a Ph.D. degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from a U.S. institution of higher education and who have an offer of employment from a U.S. employer in a field related to such degree; and (2) H-1B visa (specialty occupation) numerical limitations aliens who have a U.S. STEM Ph.D. and with respect to whom the petitioning employer requires such an education.

Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2017

Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to confer blue card status upon an alien who: (1) has performed specified periods of U.S. agricultural employment or is a qualifying alien's spouse or child, (2) has been physically present in the United States for a qualifying period, (3) applied for such status during the application period, (4) is not ineligible under specified grounds for such status, (5) has passed security and law enforcement clearances, and (6) has paid the required fees and penalties. Blue card status is limited to eight years. A blue card alien (individual) may: (1) work in the United States, and (2) travel from and return to the United States, including commuting to the United States from a foreign residence. DHS shall adjust an individual's blue card status to lawful permanent resident status if the individual: (1) performs a specified period of qualifying agricultural employment, (2) applies before the expiration of his or her blue card status, and (3) pays a required fine and satisfies any federal tax liability. The bill also provides for status adjustment of such an individual's qualifying spouse and child. The bill enumerates: (1) grounds for revocation of blue card status or denial of permanent resident status, (2) protections for aliens apprehended before or during the application period or in removal proceedings, and (3) employer protections. Such an individual: (1) is ineligible for any federal means-tested benefit, and (2) may correct certain social security records. DHS shall report to Congress, after six months and annually for the next eight years, on the blue card program.

Strong Visa Integrity Secures America Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2017

Strong Visa Integrity Secures America Act This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assign, in a risk-based manner, DHS employees to at least 30 visa-issuing diplomatic and consular posts based upon the following criteria: the number of nationals of a country in which such posts are located who were identified in U.S. terrorist databases, such a country's counterterrorism cooperation with the United States, the adequacy of border and immigration control of such country, terrorist organization activity in such country, and the number of negative security advisory opinions regarding nationals of such country. Such employees shall, in addition to other duties, screen admissions applications against federal criminal, national security, and terrorism databases. DHS shall: establish within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement a visa security advisory opinion unit to respond to Department of State requests for visa security reviews; and provide, in a risk-based manner, for remote pre-adjudicated visa security assistance at posts that are not assigned such employees. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shall: screen electronic passports at U.S. entry airports by reading each passport's embedded chip, and utilize facial recognition or other biometric technology to screen travelers at such airports. Electronic passport screening shall apply to U.S. citizens, nationals of a visa waiver program country, and nationals of any other foreign country that issues electronic passports. Facial recognition or other biometric technology shall apply to nationals of a visa waiver program country. The CBP shall, in a risk-based manner, continuously screen individuals issued any visa and individuals who are visa waiver program nationals against criminal, national security, and terrorism databases. The annual visa overstay report is revised. DHS shall ensure that certain foreign student information is available at each U.S. port of entry to CBP officers who inspect aliens seeking U.S. admission.

Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2017

Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from worldwide or numerical limitations on immigrant visas the sons and daughters of Filipino World War II veterans who were naturalized under the Immigration Act of 1990 or other specified federal law.

Indonesian Family Refugee Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2017

Indonesian Family Refugee Protection Act This bill authorizes a qualifying Indonesian citizen whose asylum claim was denied solely upon a failure to meet the one-year application filing deadline to file a motion to reopen such claim. Such motion shall be filed during the two-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this bill.

Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2017

Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from worldwide or numerical limitations on immigrant visas the sons and daughters of Filipino World War II veterans who were naturalized under the Immigration Act of 1990 or other specified federal law.

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2017

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide for an option under which a person to whom a document is sent under the Secure Mail Initiative may elect to have the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) use the Hold for Pickup service or the Signature Confirmation service in delivering the document. DHS shall require payment of a fee for such services, which shall be deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account and used to cover DHS and USPS costs of providing such services. The USPS: (1) may promulgate regulations that minimize such costs and do not require it to incur additional expenses that are not recoverable, and (2) shall notify DHS of any changes to such services. If DHS determines that substantially similar services offered by a private carrier would provide better service and value than the USPS services, it may discontinue use of the USPS services and enter into a contract with the private carrier.

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2017

Strengthening the Department of Homeland Security Secure Mail Initiative Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide for an option under which a person to whom a document is sent under the Secure Mail Initiative may elect to have the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) use the Hold for Pickup service or the Signature Confirmation service in delivering the document. DHS shall require payment of a fee for such services, which shall be deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account and used to cover DHS and USPS costs of providing such services. The USPS: (1) may promulgate regulations that minimize such costs and do not require it to incur additional expenses that are not recoverable, and (2) shall notify DHS of any changes to such services. If DHS determines that substantially similar services offered by a private carrier would provide better service and value than the USPS services, it may discontinue use of the USPS services and enter into a contract with the private carrier.

TPS Reform Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2017

TPS Reform Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise the criteria for designation of a foreign state as eligible to have its citizens be given temporary protected status (TPS) in the United States. Such revisions include the following: (1) such a foreign state shall be designated by an Act of Congress rather than by the Department of Justice; (2) such Act must find that an environmental disaster in such a foreign state is immediately life-threatening; (3) such Act may provide for early termination of a foreign state's designation; (4) such Act shall include an estimate of the number of a foreign state's nationals who are TPS eligible, their U.S. immigration status, and a time period for the effectiveness of the designation of not more than 18 months; and (5) an alien lacking lawful immigration status shall be ineligible for TPS.

West African Ebola Relief Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2017

West African Ebola Relief Act This bill extends the temporary protected status through November 21, 2018, for a national of Liberia, Sierra Leone, or Guinea who was lawfully present in the United States under such status on May 19, 2017.

Verify First Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2017

Verify First Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit advance payments of the premium assistance tax credit from being made to an individual unless the Department of the Treasury has received confirmation from the Department of Health and Human Services that the Social Security Administration or the Department of Homeland Security has verified the individual's status as a citizen or national of the United States or an alien lawfully present in the United States. The verification process must include the appropriate use of information related to citizenship or immigration status, such as Social Security numbers (but not individual taxpayer identification numbers). The bill also amends the Public Health Service Act and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to permit adjustments to certain health insurance coverage dates for an individual whose eligibility for advance payments is delayed due to the verification requirements. The bill is contingent on the enactment of the American Health Care Act of 2017 (AHCA). If the AHCA is enacted, the bill applies to: (1) the existing tax credit after December 31, 2017; and (2) the tax credit, as modified by the AHCA, after December 31, 2019.

Jobs in America Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2017

Jobs in America Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish an employment-based, conditional immigrant visa (StartUp visa) for a sponsored alien entrepreneur: (1) with required amounts of financial backing from a qualifying investor or venture capitalist; and (2) whose commercial activities will generate required levels of employment, revenue, or capital investment. The Department of Homeland Security shall terminate the status of a sponsored entrepreneur (and the alien spouse and children of such entrepreneur) if not later than three years after the date on which such permanent resident status was conferred: (1) the sponsoring venture capitalist or investor fails to meet investment requirements; or (2) the entrepreneur fails to meet job creation, capital investment, or revenue requirements.

Protect Family Values at the Border Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2017

Protect Family Values at the Border Act The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall: (1) consider safety and family concerns in any action related to the repatriation or prosecution of individuals apprehended for immigration violations, and (2) provide related training for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and cooperating entity personnel. DHS, with certain exceptions, shall certify every 180 days that it has deported or otherwise removed an apprehended individual from the United States through an entry or exit point on the southern border only during daylight hours. DHS shall promulgate regulations establishing short-term custody standards providing for basic minimums of care at all CBP facilities holding individuals in CBP custody.

To provide for conveyance of a former immigration and customs facility from the Department of Homeland Security to Ventura County, California.

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2017

This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to convey all U.S. interest in real property consisting of a former immigration and customs facility in Ventura County, California, to such county to use for public purposes. The county shall agree to use any revenue generated from such use only for such public purposes. DHS shall require the county to cover or reimburse costs incurred by DHS to carry out the conveyance. If the property conveyed or revenues generated are not being used in accordance with this bill, such property shall, at the option of DHS, revert to the United States.

Child Citizen Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2017

Child Citizen Protection Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, in the case of an alien subject to removal, deportation, or exclusion and who is the parent of a U.S. citizen child, to authorize an immigration judge to decline to order such removal if the judge determines that action to be against the child's best interests. Such discretion shall not apply to an alien when the judge determines that the alien: (1) is excludable or deportable on security grounds, or (2) has engaged in sex trafficking or severe forms of trafficking in persons.

Transnational Criminal Organization Exploitation Threat Assessment Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2017

Transnational Criminal Organization Exploitation Threat Assessment Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, to conduct a threat assessment of the exploitation by transnational criminal organizations of the unaccompanied alien children services program. Upon completion of the assessment: (1) DHS shall direct component agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to address identified security vulnerabilities; and (2) the Under Secretary shall disseminate such assessment to federal, state, and local partners.

Jamiel Shaw, II Memorial Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2017

Jamiel Shaw, II Memorial Act of 2017 This bill prohibits the payment of funds to a state or its political subdivisions under any program or activity administered by the Department of Homeland Security unless such state: (1) compiles statistics on each person arrested, charged, convicted of a crime, or incarcerated by such state, including the immigration status and country of origin of such persons and the crimes for which such persons were arrested, charged, convicted, or incarcerated; (2) reports such statistics monthly to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (3) certifies, on a monthly basis, compliance with the requirements of this bill. Each federal agency must compile similar statistics and report on such statistics monthly to the FBI. The FBI must annually publish all statistics reported under this bill as a separate data collection of its Uniform Crime Reports.

Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2017

Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act This bill amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to make the E-Verify program permanent. The bill requires: (1) federal agencies, contractors, and critical employers to participate in E-Verify; (2) all U.S. employers to participate in E-Verify within one year of enactment of this Act; and (3) employers using a contract, subcontract, or exchange to obtain labor to certify that they utilize E-Verify. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall require the E-Verify participation of an employer or class of employers if DHS has reasonable cause to believe that the employer is or has been in material violation of the employment eligibility verification process under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). An employer’s failure to use E-Verify shall be treated as a violation of the INA requirement to verify employment eligibility and creates a rebuttable presumption that the employer knowingly hired, recruited, or referred an illegal alien. The bill: (1) increases civil and criminal penalties for specified hiring-related violations, and (2) establishes a good faith civil penalty exemption/reduction for certain hiring-related violations. Employers who are convicted of specified hiring related crimes or who have repeatedly committed specified hiring-related violations may be disbarred from federal contract, grant, or cooperative agreement participation. State and local governments may not prohibit employers from using E-Verify to determine the employment eligibility of new hires or current employees. The bill authorizes the verification of individuals before they are hired, recruited, or referred if the individual so consents. Employers are required to: (1) use E-Verify to verify the identity and employment eligibility of any individual who has not been previously verified through E-Verify not later than three years after enactment of this Act, (2) reverify the work authorization of individuals not later than three days after their employment authorization is due to expire, and (3) terminate an employee following receipt of a final E-Verify nonconfirmation and submit information DHS determines would assist it in enforcing or administering U.S. immigration laws. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must report weekly to Immigration and Customs Enforcement regarding each person receiving a final E-Verify nonconfirmation. The Social Security Administration, DHS, and the Department of the Treasury shall establish an information sharing program. The bill: (1) provides for elimination of the Form I-9 process, and (2) sets forth E-Verify design and operation requirements. The federal criminal code is amended to: (1) provide that illegal aliens possessing or otherwise using false identification information not their own can be punished for identity fraud, and (2) subject a person who uses false identity information in furtherance of harboring or hiring illegal aliens to a fine and/or penalty of up to 20 years in prison. USCIS is required to establish a demonstration program to assist small businesses in rural areas or areas without Internet capabilities in verifying employment eligibility through the use of publicly accessible Internet terminals.

Michael Davis, Jr. and Danny Oliver in Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2017

Michael Davis, Jr. and Danny Oliver in Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act and related federal law with respect to immigration law enforcement within the United States. The bill authorizes: (1) states and localities to enact and enforce criminal penalties for immigration violations; and (2) state and local law enforcement personnel to investigate, arrest, and transfer aliens to federal custody. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall: (1) make grants to states and localities for equipment, technology, and facilities; (2) construct or acquire additional domestic detention facilities for aliens pending removal; and (3) expand to all states a program that provides for the identification and removal of detained criminal aliens. The bill provides for: (1) federal custody of inadmissible or deportable aliens upon state or local request, and (2) personal liability immunity for state or local personnel enforcing immigration laws. States and localities shall: (1) notify the federal government of inadmissible or removable aliens encountered by law enforcement personnel, and (2) comply with federal law enforcement information requests. Specified federal assistance is denied to a state or locality that prohibits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The bill: (1) revises certain terrorism-related requirements and prohibitions with respect to benefits, naturalization and denaturalization, asylum, voluntary departure, and removal; (2) adds new grounds of inadmissibility and deportability; (3) establishes probable cause standards for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers; (4) provides for increases in immigration enforcement personnel; (5) prescribes visa security provisions; (6) authorizes DHS to designate groups as criminal gangs and makes alien gang members inadmissible or deportable; (7) establishes an ICE Advisory Council; and (8) prescribes criminal alien removal provisions.

Securing the Border and Protecting Our Communities Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2017

Securing the Border and Protecting Our Communities Act This bill prohibits any sanctuary jurisdiction from receiving any federal infrastructure or transportation funds authorized under: (1) the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grant program, (2) the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-Term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant program, or (3) the surface transportation block grant program. Funds that are not allocated to a sanctuary jurisdiction because of such prohibition shall be available for activities carried out under the Secure Fence Act of 2006. "Sanctuary jurisdiction" is defined as a state or state political subdivision that the Department of Justice determines has in effect a statute, ordinance, policy, or practice that: (1) prohibits or interferes with a government entity or official or a person sharing information with federal immigration authorities regarding an individual's immigration status; (2) prohibits any government entity or official from complying with a lawfully-issued Department of Homeland security detainer or notification request concerning the release of an alien; or (3) restricts a person's ability to bid for or be awarded a contract or otherwise retaliates against a person that assists in construction activity pursuant to the Secure Fence Act of 2006.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Authorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 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) and remove references to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 is amended to make E-Verify, which allows employers to verify an employee's work eligibility, permanent. The bill maintains the application fee for an intercountry adopted child at the amount that was in effect effect prior to the effective date (i.e., 12/23/2016) of the rule increasing such fee.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Authorization Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2017

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Authorization Act of 2017 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 (DHS); (2) establish within ICE the Offices of Homeland Security Investigations, Enforcement and Removal Operations, Principal Legal Advisor, Management and Administration, and Professional Responsibility; and (3) remove references to the Bureau of Border Security. DHS shall: (1) authorize all deportation officers who have successfully completed basic immigration law enforcement training to exercise specified powers to arrest or to execute warrants for administrative and criminal arrests, and to carry firearms; (2) increase the number of ICE detention enforcement officers, deportation officers, and prosecutors; and (3) establish a pilot program for in-field electronic processing of documents, placing detainers, and collecting biometric identification data. The bill establishes: (1) a Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office, and (2) an ICE Advisory Council.

Poland Visa Waiver Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2017

Poland Visa Waiver Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to designate Poland as a program country under the visa waiver program.

State Sponsored Visa Pilot Program Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2017

State Sponsored Visa Pilot Program Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a three-year renewable nonimmigrant W-visa for state-sponsored aliens (and their spouses and children) coming temporarily to the United States to reside in a state to perform services, provide capital investment, direct an enterprise, or otherwise contribute to the state's economic development. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall approve an application for a state sponsored program that: (1) is approved by the state legislature, (2) regulates the employment and residence of state-sponsored nonimmigrants, (3) implements procedures to inform DHS of an individual's failure to comply with the program when the state is made aware of such failure, (4) allows individuals to change employers within a sponsoring state, and (5) implements procedures to annually inform DHS of the address and employment of all such individuals residing in the state. DHS shall terminate the period of authorized status if: (1) the individual resides or works outside the sponsoring state or states, (2) the individual fails to follow state rules, or (3) the state requests such termination, unless another state sponsors the individual. The bill: (1) provides employment authorization for such individuals, (2) allows states to enter into multi-state compacts for joint program implementation or administration, (3) allows states to enforce program rules and regulations against employers, and (4) sets forth compliance and penalty provisions. DHS and the Department of Justice shall jointly develop a visa application fraud prevention program.

A bill to indemnify local law enforcement entities for complying with valid detainers issued by immigration officers.

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2017

Subject to available appropriations, the Department of Homeland Security shall be responsible to pay the costs of any legally-cognizable injuries to third parties by any state or local law enforcement officer resulting from a request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement to temporarily detain an alien or transport the alien to a federal detention center. Nothing in this bill shall be construed to preclude a legal cause of action.

Support and Defend Our Military Personnel and Their Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2017

Support and Defend Our Military Personnel and Their Families Act This bill states that any person who serves or has served under honorable conditions as a member of the Armed Forces in support of contingency operations shall be eligible for naturalization as if the person had served during a period of presidentially-designated military hostilities. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is amended to extend the period for filing a naturalization application to one year after completion of eligible military service. An alien who is eligible for a family-sponsored immigrant visa and is either the spouse or child of a permanent resident alien who is serving in the Armed Forces shall be exempt from worldwide immigrant visa numerical limitations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may adjust to permanent resident status an alien who is a parent, spouse, child, son or daughter, or minor sibling of a person who is serving or has served in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions. The bill permits posthumous benefits under specified circumstances. With respect to a removal proceeding under INA: a notice to appear shall not be issued against an alien who serves or has served under honorable conditions in the Armed Forces without prior DHS approval; DHS, in determining whether to issue a notice, shall consider the alien's eligibility for naturalization, military service record, grounds of deportability, and any hardship to the Armed Forces, the alien, and his or her family if the alien were to be placed in removal proceedings; and an alien who serves or has served under honorable conditions in the Armed Forces shall not be removed from the United States on specified grounds.

Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2017

Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to confer blue card status upon an alien who: (1) has performed specified periods of U.S. agricultural employment or is a qualifying alien's spouse or child, (2) has been physically present in the United States for a qualifying period, (3) applied for such status during the application period, (4) is not ineligible under specified grounds for such status, (5) has passed security and law enforcement clearances, and (6) has paid the required fees and penalties. Blue card status is limited to eight years. A blue card alien (individual) may: (1) work in the United States, and (2) travel from and return to the United States, including commuting to the United States from a foreign residence. DHS shall adjust an individual's blue card status to lawful permanent resident status if the individual: (1) performs a specified period of qualifying agricultural employment, (2) applies before the expiration of his or her blue card status, and (3) pays a required fine and satisfies any federal tax liability. The bill also provides for status adjustment of such an individual's qualifying spouse and child. The bill enumerates: (1) grounds for revocation of blue card status or denial of permanent resident status, (2) protections for aliens apprehended before or during the application period or in removal proceedings, and (3) employer protections. Such an individual: (1) is ineligible for any federal means-tested benefit, and (2) may correct certain social security records. DHS shall report to Congress, after six months and annually for the next eight years, on the blue card program.

Giving Workers a Fair Shot Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2017

Giving Workers a Fair Shot Act This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to require employers to provide their employees with specified information concerning their pay, leave time, and eligibility for the minimum wage and overtime pay. Employers who fail to provide required information are subject to fines. The bill revises the definition of "supervisor" under the National Labor Relations Act to prevent the over classification of employees as supervisors for the purpose of limiting the number of employees eligible to join a union. The bill increases civil penalties for intentional violations of requirements under the National Labor Relations Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, and imposes criminal penalties for violating certain requirements of those Acts, including violations of mandatory health or safety standards and for retaliation against employees who provide information about health or safety violations. The bill expedites the establishment of an initial collective bargaining agreement by allowing either an employer or a union to seek mediation under the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service if an agreement is not reached within 90 days after bargaining begins. The bill amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to: (1) require repeat votes by shareholders on executive compensation until a vote is binding, (2) prohibit the chief executive officer and the chairman of the board of directors at publicly traded companies from being the same person (except for small capitalization companies), and (3) impose restrictions the sale of stock by company directors or officers. The bill disallows the reimbursement of costs incurred by a contractor in attempting to persuade its employees not to exercise their rights to organize or bargain collectively (union busting).

American Jobs First Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2017

American Jobs First Act of 2017 This bill amends the the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise the H-1B nonimmigrant visa (specialty occupation) program, including by declaring that a petitioner employer: is offering an annual wage to the H-1B nonimmigrant that is the greater of the annual wage paid to the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident employee who did identical or similar work during the previous two years, or $110,000, if offered not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act; will not require an H-1B nonimmigrant to pay a penalty for ending employment before the agreed on date; will not replace or contract to replace a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident with one or more nonimmigrants; has not displaced, furloughed, terminated without cause, or otherwise involuntarily separated a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident employee during the four-year period beginning two years before the H-1B visa petition was filed; and shall attest in the H-1B application that during the previous two-year period there has not been an employee-initiated strike or an employer-initiated lockout, and that no employee in the same or substantially similar occupational classification has been displaced, terminated without cause, or otherwise involuntarily separated without cause. The bill also revises penalty and transparency requirements and eliminates the H-1B-dependent employer category. The Department of Labor shall establish a process for the receipt, investigation, and disposition of complaints respecting an employer's: (1) failure to meet an application condition, or (2) misrepresentation of material facts in an application. No nonimmigrant foreign student present in the United States may be provided U.S. employment authorization under the optional practical training program without an express Act of Congress authorizing such program. An employer may not require a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident employee to sign any nondisparagement or nondisclosure agreement that conditions receipt of any financial or nonfinancial benefit from the employer upon the nondisclosure of the employer's potential misuse of the H-1B visa program. A U.S. district court shall have jurisdiction to address civil actions by any person claiming H-1B program misuse. A U.S. court of appeals shall have jurisdiction over related appeals for cases originating from a U.S. district court within that circuit. The Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction to address appeals of civil actions by any person claiming H-1B program misuse for cases originating from any U.S. court of appeals. The bill eliminates the diversity visa lottery program.

Unaccompanied Alien Children Placement Transparency Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2017

Unaccompanied Alien Children Placement Transparency Act of 2017 This bill amends the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 to require the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Homeland Security to provide the following information to the governor and each appropriate agency of a state within 60 days after the custodial placement in such state of an unaccompanied alien child who is in federal custody by reason of the child's immigration status: the child's medical records if the child will be attending state public schools, the custodian's address and immigration status, any federal public benefit that the child will receive, and any federal public benefit that the custodian will receive as a result of such custody.

Venezuelan Refugee Assistance Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2017

Venezuelan Refugee Assistance Act This bill provides for the status adjustment to permanent resident of a qualifying Venezuelan national who: (1) was physically present in the United States on January 1, 2013, (2) has been physically present in the United States for at least one year and is physically present in the United States on the date the status adjustment application is filed, (3) has not been convicted of specified crimes and was never involved in the persecution of others, and (4) applies for adjustment before January 1, 2021. Derivative adjustment of status is provided for the spouse, child, or certain unmarried sons or daughters of such alien.

Lee Francis Cissna, of Maryland, to be Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, vice Leon Rodriguez.

United States · United States Senate · 25 April 2017

Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2017

Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to extend the J-1 visa waiver program (Conrad state 30/medical services in underserved areas) through September 30, 2021. The bill sets forth specified employment protections and contract requirements for alien physicians working in underserved areas, including: (1) a six-month status extension for a physician whose application his been denied by an oversubscribed state and who then agrees to work in an undersubscribed state, and (2) an allowable adjustment from a J-1 to an H-1B visa (specialty workers with a permitted U.S. stay of up to six years) for a physician fulfilling waiver requirements. The bill permits a state, under specified circumstances, to recapture a waiver slot lost to another state if a physician working in a health facility accepts employment with such a facility in another state. The number of alien physicians that a state may be allocated is increased from 30 to 35 per fiscal year under specified circumstances. The bill provides for: (1) additional increases or decreases based upon demand, and (2) up to three visa waivers per fiscal year per state for physicians in academic medical centers. Dual intent is permitted for an alien coming to the United States to receive graduate medical education or training or to take examinations required for graduate medical education or training.

Partner with Korea Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 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 the Department of Labor.

DAIRY Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 12 April 2017

Defending the Agricultural Industry's Requirements Year-round Act of 2017 or the DAIRY Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include in the H-2A nonimmigrant visa category (temporary agricultural workers) an alien coming temporarily to the United States to perform agricultural labor or services as a dairy worker. The initial period of admission for such dairy workers shall be 18 months, which may be extended for additional 18-month periods. No period of absence from the United States shall be required for such extensions.

Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2017

Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to extend the J-1 visa waiver program (Conrad state 30/medical services in underserved areas) through September 30, 2021. The bill sets forth specified employment protections and contract requirements for alien physicians working in underserved areas, including: (1) a six-month status extension for a physician whose application his been denied by an oversubscribed state and who then agrees to work in an undersubscribed state, and (2) an allowable adjustment from a J-1 to an H-1B visa (specialty workers with a permitted U.S. stay of up to six years) for a physician fulfilling waiver requirements. The bill permits a state, under specified circumstances, to recapture a waiver slot lost to another state if a physician working in a health facility accepts employment with such a facility in another state. The number of alien physicians that a state may be allocated is increased from 30 to 35 per fiscal year under specified circumstances. The bill provides for: (1) additional increases or decreases based upon demand, and (2) up to three visa waivers per fiscal year per state for physicians in academic medical centers. Dual intent is permitted for an alien coming to the United States to receive graduate medical education or training or to take examinations required for graduate medical education or training.

To amend section 287 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit immigration officers or agents of the Department of Homeland Security from wearing clothing or other items bearing the word "police".

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit immigration officers or agents of the Department of Homeland Security, including officers and agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, from wearing clothing, accessories, or other items bearing the word "police" while performing duties under the immigration laws.

Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) authorize the Department of Justice (DOJ) to appoint or provide counsel at government expense to aliens in removal proceedings. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall provide an alien in removal proceedings with all relevant documents in its possession, unless the alien has knowingly waived the right to such documents. In the absence of a waiver, a removal proceeding may not proceed until the alien has received and had time to review the documents. DOJ may appoint or provide counsel to aliens in any INA proceeding. DHS shall ensure that aliens have access to counsel inside all immigration detention and border facilities. DOJ shall appoint counsel, at government expense if necessary, for an unaccompanied alien child or a particularly vulnerable individual. If DOJ has consolidated any such alien's case with that of any other alien and that other alien does not have counsel, the appointed counsel shall be appointed to represent the other alien as well. DHS shall: (1) facilitate access to counsel for all aliens detained in facilities under the supervision of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); and (2) establish procedures to ensure that legal orientation programs are available for all detained aliens, including aliens held in CBP facilities. DOJ shall develop and administer a two-year pilot program at not fewer than two immigration courts to grant access to legal information to non-detained aliens with pending asylum claims. DHS shall establish a pilot program to increase the court appearance rates of unaccompanied alien children and particularly vulnerable individuals by contracting with nongovernmental, community-based organizations to provide such aliens with case management services. The pilot program shall not be used to monitor individuals designated as unaccompanied alien children under the Homeland Security Act. If DOJ fails to appoint counsel for an unaccompanied alien child or vulnerable person: (1) no limitation pertaining to the filing of any motion to reopen the removal proceeding shall apply, and (2) the filing of such a motion shall stay the removal of the alien.

American Dream Promise Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

American Dream Promise Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify the eligibility requirements for an institution of higher education (IHE) to participate in federal student aid programs. Specifically, an IHE that participates in title IV federal student aid programs must not deny admission to a student on the basis of that student's immigration or naturalization status.

FAFSA for All Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

FAFSA for All Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to include on the same website that is used to provide students with the electronic version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) questions to determine, for title IV eligibility purposes, whether: a dependent student is a citizen, national, or permanent resident of the United States or is here for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming a citizen or permanent resident; and the parents of a dependent student have a valid social security number. The website must also include: detailed guidance on how dependent students who satisfy those immigration requirements but whose parents do not have a valid social security number may obtain student assistance under title IV, and an online tool that allows those students to upload the documents they need to receive such assistance.

Strengthen Employment And Seasonal Opportunities Now (SEASON) Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Strengthen Employment And Seasonal Opportunities Now (SEASON) Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide, effective as if enacted on January 1, 2017, that a returning H-2B visa alien (temporary nonagricultural worker) who has already been counted toward the applicable numerical limitation during a fiscal year: (1) shall not again be counted toward such limitation during each succeeding consecutive fiscal year in which the alien is issued an H-2B visa or otherwise provided such status, but (2) shall be considered a returning worker. "Other temporary service or labor" for H-2B purposes means that an employer's need for labor will not exceed 1 year and is a seasonal (not to exceed 10 months), peak load, or intermittent need, unless it is a one-time occurrence not exceeding 3 years. An H-2B employer shall file an employee petition with the Department of Homeland Security. Additional filings with the Department of Labor are not required. H-2B employer requirements are set forth regarding: (1) petitions, (2) admissions and maximum stay in status, (3) housing, (4) enforcement, (5) transportation, (6) recruitment, (7) U.S. worker protections, and (8) wages. An H-2B worker shall not be entitled to: (1) tax credit assistance for a qualified health plan, and shall be subject to plan rules applicable to individuals not lawfully present in the United States; (2) the child tax credit; and (3) the earned income tax credit.

Justice for Children Now Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Justice for Children Now Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Department of Justice to appoint 70 immigration judges in addition to those serving as of the date of enactment of this bill.

Kerrie Orozco Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2017

Kerrie Orozco Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to declare that the following persons may be naturalized upon compliance with all naturalization requirements, except that no prior residence or specified physical presence within the United States shall be required: a person who is the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen who died as a result of injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by employment as a first responder; and in the case of such a surviving spouse, the person was living in marital union with the citizen spouse at the time of the citizen spouse's death. The Department of Homeland Security shall provide for the granting of posthumous citizenship at the time of death to a person who, while an alien or a noncitizen national of the United States, died as a result of injury or disease incurred or aggravated while serving as a first responder.

Returning Worker Accountability Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Returning Worker Accountability Act of 2017 This bill exempts from the nonimmigrant H-2B visa (temporary nonagricultural services) annual numerical limitation for a fiscal year a returning worker who has already been counted toward such limitation during any of the preceding three fiscal years.

Protecting Sensitive Locations Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017

Protecting Sensitive Locations Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an immigration enforcement action by the Department of Homeland Security or an individual designated to perform immigration enforcement functions may not take place at a sensitive location, unless: (1) the action involves exigent circumstances, and (2) prior approval was obtained from the appropriate official. A "sensitive location" includes all of the physical space located within 1,000 feet of: medical treatment or health care facilities; public and private schools; scholastic or education-related activities; school bus or school bus stops during periods when school children are present; any organization that assists children, pregnant women, victims of crime or abuse, or individuals with significant mental or physical disabilities or that provides disaster or emergency social services; places of worship; funerals, weddings, or other public religious ceremonies; public demonstrations; federal, state, or local courthouses; or any domestic violence shelter, rape crisis center, supervised visitation center, family justice center, or victim services provider. The bill shall not apply to the transportation of an individual apprehended at or near a land or sea border to a hospital or health care provider for the purpose of providing such individual with medical care. If an enforcement action is carried out in violation of this bill: (1) no information resulting from the action may be entered into the record or received into evidence in a resulting removal proceeding, and (2) the affected alien may file a motion for such proceeding's immediate termination. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall provide training to officers and report to Congress on any enforcement activity occurring at sensitive locations.

Protecting Data at the Border Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2017

Protecting Data at the Border Act This bill prohibits a governmental entity from: (1) accessing the digital contents of electronic equipment belonging to, or in the possession of, a U.S. person (person) at the border without a valid warrant; or (2) denying a person's U.S. entry or exit based on the person's refusal to disclose an access credential or in order to determine whether such person will consensually provide an access credential, access, or online account information. A border officer may access the digital contents of electronic equipment without a warrant if the officer determines that an emergency situation exists. The officer must subsequently apply for a warrant within seven days, and if such warrant is not granted: (1) digital content copies must be destroyed, (2) digital contents or information may not be disclosed, and (3) the person shall be notified of such destruction. A governmental entity may not make or retain a copy of the digital contents of electronic equipment, an online account, or online account information without probable cause to believe that such information contains evidence of, or constitutes the fruits of, a crime. Unlawfully accessed information: (1) must be destroyed and the person notified of its destruction; (2) may not be disclosed; and (3) may not be received in evidence in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding. A governmental entity shall keep a record of each instance in which it obtains access to an individual's digital information. A governmental entity may not seize electronic equipment belonging to, or in the possession of, a person at the border without probable cause to believe that such equipment contains information relevant to a felony.

Protecting Data at the Border Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2017

Protecting Data at the Border Act This bill prohibits a governmental entity from: (1) accessing the digital contents of electronic equipment belonging to, or in the possession of, a U.S. person (person) at the border without a valid warrant; or (2) denying a person's U.S. entry or exit based on the person's refusal to disclose an access credential or in order to determine whether such person will consensually provide an access credential, access, or online account information. A border officer may access the digital contents of electronic equipment without a warrant if the officer determines that an emergency situation exists. The officer must subsequently apply for a warrant within seven days, and if such warrant is not granted: (1) digital content copies must be destroyed, (2) digital contents or information may not be disclosed, and (3) the person shall be notified of such destruction. A governmental entity may not make or retain a copy of the digital contents of electronic equipment, an online account, or online account information without probable cause to believe that such information contains evidence of, or constitutes the fruits of, a crime. Unlawfully accessed information: (1) must be destroyed and the person notified of its destruction; (2) may not be disclosed; and (3) may not be received in evidence in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding. A governmental entity shall keep a record of each instance in which it obtains access to an individual's digital information. A governmental entity may not seize electronic equipment belonging to, or in the possession of, a person at the border without probable cause to believe that such equipment contains information relevant to a felony.

Modernizing Travel to the Marianas Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2017

Modernizing Travel to the Marianas Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and implement a fully automated electronic travel authorization system to collect biographical and other information in order to determine, before travel, the eligibility of, and any law enforcement or security risk of permitting, an alien to travel to Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. DHS shall establish and collect a fee for the use of such system. Such system shall be similar to the electronic system for travel authorization to the United States.

Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2017

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2017

Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to declare that, effective as if enacted on January 1, 2017, a returning H-2B visa alien (temporary nonagricultural worker) who has already been counted toward the applicable numerical limitation shall: not again be counted toward that limitation during the fiscal year, but shall be considered a returning worker; or shall be counted again toward the limitation if the alien departs the United States for a period longer than one year, was not counted toward the limitation in any of the three most recent fiscal years, or violated his or her status during the authorized period of stay. "Other temporary service or labor" for H-2B purposes means that an employer's labor need will last: (1) at most 1 year if peak load or intermittent, unless it is a one-time occurrence not to exceed 3 years; or (2) not to exceed 10 months if the employer's need is seasonal. An H-2B employer shall file an employee petition with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which shall have exclusive authority to issue rules and final determinations for the H-2B visa program. H-2B employer requirements are set forth regarding: (1) petitions, (2) admissions and maximum stay in status, (3) housing, (4) enforcement, (5) transportation, (6) recruitment, (7) U.S. worker protections, (8) wages, and (9) absconding workers. DHS shall consult with the Department of State to develop an electronic notification system to notify the latter within 48 hours after an H-2B petition's final approval.

Religious Worker Visa Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2017

Religious Worker Visa Improvement Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit a consular officer from issuing a nonimmigrant R-visa (for a religious worker and accompanying or joining spouse or child), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from granting such status, to an alien until DHS has approved a petition filed on the alien's behalf. An eligible petitioner may file a blanket petition, in lieu of individual petitions, on behalf of aliens meeting specified requirements for blanket petition inclusion. DHS may only include in approval of a blanket petition missionary service locations for which DHS has previously conducted a site inspection in connection with an individual petition for a religious worker. A petitioner may file a petition at any time to amend the list of previously authorized missionary service locations.