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Bill· HRH.R. 1459 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2011
Scott Gardner Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Attorney General (DOJ) to take into custody an alien who is unlawfully in the United States and is arrested by a state or local law enforcement officer for driving while intoxicated or a similar violation. Directs the officer, upon reasonable grounds to believe the individual is an alien, to: (1) verify the individual's immigration status, and (2) take into custody for federal transfer an individual who is unlawfully in the United States. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to reimburse states and localities for related transportation costs when such transportation is not done in the course of normal duties. Requires a state or locality, in order to qualify for state criminal alien assistance program (SCAAP) funding, to participate by January 1, 2014, in either or both of: (1) the secure communities initiative, or (2) the program under which state officers and employees perform specified immigration functions. Requires the Attorney General to enter into such state immigration enforcement programs. (Current law authorizes such participation.) Requires DHS reimbursement for related state or local training costs.
Bill· SS. 767 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2011
Every Student Counts Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require, beginning by the 2011-2012 school year, states, local educational agencies (LEAs), and secondary schools annually to include on the report cards required under title I of the Act: (1) their four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate; (2) the final number of students in their four-year adjusted cohort and their total number of four-year graduates; (3) their cumulative graduation rate; (4) the number and percentage of students graduating in more than four years with a regular secondary school diploma; (5) the number and percentage of students who have been removed from the adjusted cohort; (6) the number and percentage of students from each previous adjusted cohort who remain in secondary school after four years; and (7) the percentage of secondary school students in each grade, except the graduating grade, prepared to advance to the next grade. Requires such data, except for data on students who remain in secondary school after four years, to be disaggregated and cross tabulated by race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, migrant status, English proficiency, and status as economically disadvantaged. Directs states, LEAs, and secondary schools in states that lack a statewide longitudinal data system with individual student identifiers to make certain annual interim graduation rate calculations; but prohibits the use of such interim calculations after the 2012-2013 school year. Requires the use of aggregate and disaggregated four-year adjusted cohort graduation rates or cumulative graduation rates in determining the success of each secondary school and LEA in making adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward state academic performance standards under the Act. Requires states, LEAs, and schools that do not have a four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate or a cumulative graduation rate above 90% overall and for all of the student subgroups, to make specified yearly progress in improving such rate or be deemed as failing to make AYP.
Bill· HRH.R. 1434 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2011
International Child Protection Act of 2011 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make aliens convicted of sex offenses against minors inadmissible to the United States. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), the Attorney General (DOJ), and the Secretary of State should work with foreign law enforcement agencies and international organizations to establish related information reporting mechanisms.
Bill· HRH.R. 1419 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2011
Every Student Counts Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require, beginning by the 2011-2012 school year, states, local educational agencies (LEAs), and secondary schools annually to include on the report cards required under title I of the Act: (1) their four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate; (2) the final number of students in their four-year adjusted cohort and their total number of four-year graduates; (3) their cumulative graduation rate; (4) the number and percentage of students graduating in more than four years with a regular secondary school diploma; (5) the number and percentage of students who have been removed from the adjusted cohort; (6) the number and percentage of students from each previous adjusted cohort who remain in secondary school after four years; and (7) the percentage of secondary school students in each grade, except the graduating grade, prepared to advance to the next grade. Requires such data, except for data on students who remain in secondary school after four years, to be disaggregated and cross tabulated by race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, migrant status, English proficiency, and status as economically disadvantaged. Directs states, LEAs, and secondary schools in states that lack a statewide longitudinal data system with individual student identifiers to make certain annual interim graduation rate calculations; but prohibits the use of such interim calculations after the 2012-2013 school year. Requires the use of aggregate and disaggregated four-year adjusted cohort graduation rates or cumulative graduation rates in determining the success of each secondary school and LEA in making adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward state academic performance standards under the Act. Requires states, LEAs, and schools that do not have a four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate or a cumulative graduation rate above 90% overall and for all of the student subgroups, to make specified yearly progress in improving such rate or be deemed as failing to make AYP.
Bill· SS. 744 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2011
Passport Identity Verification Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to consider, for data sharing purposes only, that when Department of State personnel authorized by the Secretary of State to grant, refuse, revoke, deny, or adjudicate U.S. passports are lawfully engaged in authorized data sharing activities regarding such passport activities, those activities shall be considered law enforcement activities involving the administration of criminal justice. Considers such Department personnel to be engaged in authorized data sharing activities when lawfully seeking to: (1) verify the identity of a passport applicant, (2) detect passport fraud, or (3) deny or revoke a passport. Directs the Secretary to promulgate implementing regulations regarding data sharing regulations, procedures, and policies. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study, and report to Congress, to determine: (1) if U.S. passport applicants or renewals should provide biometric identification information, and (2) if technology should be employed to verify identity documents.
Bill· HRH.R. 1408 (112th)open
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2011
Southeast Alaska Native Land Entitlement Finalization and Jobs Protection Act - Authorizes Sealaska, the regional Alaska Native Corporation for southeast Alaska, subject to certain conditions and restrictions, to select and receive conveyance of its remaining land entitlement under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) from federal land in southeast Alaska that is outside the areas for selection delineated by the ANCSA. Includes in these lands certain sites: (1) identified on specified maps as having traditional and recreational use value; and (2) identified by Sealaska as having sacred, cultural, traditional, or historic significance. Prohibits Sealaska from selecting: (1) sacred, cultural, traditional, or historic sites that are within the National Park System; or (2) land from the mapped sites, other than trade and migration route land, that lies within a conservation system unit, federally designated wilderness area, or certain land use designation areas. Authorizes the Director of the National Park Service to enter into a cooperative management agreement with Sealaska, other Village Corporations and Urban Corporations, and federally recognized Indian tribes with cultural and historical ties to Glacier Bay National Park to recognize and perpetuate National Park Service values, including those associated with the Tlingit homeland and culture, wilderness, and ecological preservation.
Bill· SS. 730 (112th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2011
Southeast Alaska Native Land Entitlement Finalization and Jobs Protection Act - Authorizes Sealaska, the regional Alaska Native Corporation for southeast Alaska, subject to certain conditions and restrictions, to select and receive conveyance of its remaining land entitlement under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) from federal land in southeast Alaska that is outside the areas for selection delineated by the ANCSA. Includes in these lands certain sites: (1) identified on specified maps as having traditional, recreational, and renewable energy use value; and (2) identified by Sealaska as having sacred, cultural, traditional, or historic significance. Prohibits Sealaska from selecting: (1) sacred, cultural, traditional, or historic sites that are within the National Park System; or (2) land from the mapped sites, other than trade and migration route land, that lies within a conservation system unit. (A conservation system unit includes any unit of the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, National Wild and Scenic Rivers Systems, National Trails System, National Wilderness Preservation System, or a National Forest Monument.) Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to designate specified lands within Tongass National Forest as conservation areas that are to be given Land Use Designation II status and managed by the Secretary of Agriculture to protect subsistence activities and unique biological and geological resources, and prohibit commercial timber harvests or new road construction.
Bill· SS. 723 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2011
Birthright Citizenship Act of 2011 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to consider a person born in the United States "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States for citizenship at birth purposes only if the person is born in the United States of parents, one of whom is: (1) a U.S. citizen or national, (2) a lawful permanent resident alien whose residence is in the United States, or (3) an alien performing active service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Bill· HRH.R. 1299 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2011
Secure Border Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs a comprehensive strategy for gaining operational control of the international borders of the United States within five years.
Bill· HRH.R. 1293 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2011
Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2011 - Adjusts to permanent resident status a qualifying Liberian national who: (1) has been continuously present in the United States between January 1, 2011, through the date of status adjustment application; or (2) is the spouse, child, or unmarried son or daughter of such an alien. Requires adjustment applications to be filed not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 1274 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2011
Keeping the Pledge on Immigration Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD), at the request of the Governor of Arizona, California, New Mexico, or Texas, to deploy additional members of the National Guard along the border of the requesting state and Mexico until the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) (Secretary) certifies that the federal government has achieved operational control of the border. Limits total deployment at any one time to 4,000 members of the National Guard unless additional Guard members are determined to be necessary. Requires complete implementation of the automated entry and exit control system by September 30, 2015. Directs the Secretary of State to consult with the Secretary regarding DHS review of high-risk visa applications. Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act of 2011 or the CLEAR Act of 2011 - States that: (1) state and local law enforcement personnel, in the course of their routine duties, have the inherent authority to investigate, apprehend, or transfer to federal custody aliens in the United States (including interstate transportation of such aliens to detention centers) in order to assist in the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws; and (2) effective two years after enactment of this Act, a state that has in effect a statute, policy, or practice prohibiting such law enforcement assistance shall not receive certain federal incarceration assistance. Provides for the listing of immigration violators in the National Crime Information Center database. Directs states and localities to provide the Secretary with specified information about apprehended aliens who are believed to be in violation of U.S. immigration laws. Provides federal reimbursement for related state and local costs. (States that such provision shall not require state or local enforcement officials to provide DHS with information related to a victim of a crime or witness to a criminal offense.) Directs the Secretary to make grants to states and political subdivisions that enforce immigration laws in the course of their routine law enforcement duties for special equipment and facilities related to arresting, detaining, or transporting illegal aliens. Directs the Secretary to: (1) construct or acquire 20 additional detention facilities for aliens detained pending removal (or a decision on removal), and (2) consider the transfer of military installations under base closure laws for such purposes. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding illegal aliens apprehended by state or local authorities to provide for: (1) federal custody upon state or local request, and (2) state or local compensation for related incarceration and transportation costs. Directs the Attorney General or the Secretary to ensure that the detention of an alien subject to removal is in an adequate state or local prison, detention center, or other comparable facility prior to his or her removal examination. Directs the Secretary to establish immigration-related training for state and local personnel. Provides: (1) personal liability immunity to the same extent as corresponding federal immunity for state or local personnel enforcing immigration laws within the scope of their duties under this Act, and (2) civil rights money damage immunity for state or local agencies enforcing immigration laws unless their personnel violated criminal law in such enforcement. Continues the institutional removal program (IRP), which shall be expanded to all states. Authorizes state or local detention of an illegal alien after completion of such alien's prison sentence for: (1) up to 14 days to facilitate federal transfer, or (2) until transfer to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Authorizes appropriations for FY2012 and subsequent fiscal years for the state criminal alien assistance program (SCAAP).
Bill· HRH.R. 1270 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2011
Directs the Secretary of State to designate as a foreign terrorist organization each of the following: (1) the Arellano Feliz Organization, (2) the Los Zetas Cartel, (3) the Beltran Leyva Organization, (4) La Familia Michoacana, (5) the Sinaloa Cartel, and (6) the Gulf Cartel/New Federation.
Bill· HRH.R. 1211 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2011
Student Visa Security Improvement Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) require DHS employees to review the applications, conduct in-person interviews where appropriate, and conduct on-site reviews of applications and supporting documentation with respect to student and exchange program visa applicants prior to final visa adjudication, with emphasis on determining whether an applicant is inadmissible for terrorist-related activities; (2) require an institution or exchange visitor program participating in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to ensure that each covered student or exchange visitor is an active program participant, is observed, and is reported to DHS if he or she transfers institutions or academic majors; (3) provide Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) access to appropriate employees of a SEVIS program sponsor under specified circumstances; and (4) require a SEVIS upgrade to add data fields that include verification that students are meeting minimum academic standards.
Bill· SS. 656 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2011
Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2011 - Adjusts to permanent resident status a qualifying Liberian national who: (1) has been continuously present in the United States between January 1, 2011, through the date of status adjustment application; or (2) is the spouse, child, or unmarried son or daughter of such an alien. Requires adjustment applications to be filed not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act.
Bill· SS. 641 (112th)open
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2011
Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2011 - Calls for the United States to help undertake a global effort to bring sustainable access to clean water and sanitation to poor people throughout the world. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to designate a Senior Advisor for Water, who shall: (1) implement the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005; (2) develop and oversee implementation, in high priority countries, of country-specific water strategies and expertise to enable the goal of providing 100 million additional people with sustainable access to safe water and sanitation through direct funding, development activities, and partnerships within six years of this Act's enactment; (3) place primary emphasis on providing safe, affordable, and sustainable drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene in a manner that is consistent with sound water resource management principles; and (4) integrate water strategies with country-specific or regional food security strategies. Requires the Secretary of State, in order to increase the capacity of the Department of State to address international issues regarding safe water, sanitation, integrated river basin management, and other international water programs, to establish a Special Coordinator for International Water to: (1) oversee and coordinate U.S. diplomatic policy with respect to global freshwater issues; and (2) ensure that international freshwater issues are represented within the U.S. government and in key diplomatic, development, and scientific efforts with other nations and multilateral organizations. Amends the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 to require such Special Coordinator to ensure that the safe water and sanitation strategy is integrated into any review or development of a federal strategy for global development, health, or food security that sets forth the U.S. mission for global development, guidelines for assistance programs, and how development policy will be coordinated with policies governing trade, immigration, and other relevant international issues. Requires the safe water and sanitation strategy to include: (1) an assessment of U.S. foreign assistance allocated to the drinking water and sanitation sector during the three previous fiscal years, including assessing whether U.S. efforts are supporting the goal of enabling first-time access to safe water and sanitation on a sustainable basis for 100 million people in high priority countries; (2) recommendations on actions needed to achieve such goals and support the United Nation's Millennium Development Goal on access to safe drinking water; and (3) an assessment of best practices for mobilizing and leveraging the capacity of business, governments, organizations, and civil society in forming public-private partnerships that measurably increase access to safe, affordable, drinking water sanitation. Requires the Secretary and the Administrator to establish a program to build the capacity of host country institutions and officials responsible for water and sanitation in countries that receive assistance to provide safe water and sanitation under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator to establish such program in additional countries if the receipt of such capacity building would be beneficial for promoting access to safe drinking water and sanitation, with due consideration given to good governance. Requires the USAID Mission Director for each country receiving a high priority designation and for each region containing a country receiving such designation to report annually to Congress on the status of: (1) designating safe drinking water and sanitation as a strategic objective; and (2) integrating the water strategy into a food security strategy. Expands the list of activities that may be supported by assistance furnished by the President for programs in developing countries to provide affordable and equitable access to safe water and sanitation. Requires the report regarding water for peace and security to include an assessment of political tensions over water sources and a multidisciplinary assessment of the expected impacts of changes to water supplies in 10, 25, and 50 years. Requires the Comptroller General to report on the effectiveness and efficiency of U.S. efforts to provide safe water and sanitation for developing countries.
Bill· SS. 642 (112th)open
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2011
Creating American Jobs Through Foreign Capital Investment Act - Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 to make the EB-5 visa (alien investor) regional center program permanent.
Bill· SS. 639 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2011
SCAAP Reauthorization Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize appropriations for the state criminal alien assistance program (SCAAP) through FY2015.
Bill· SS. 638 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2011
SCAAP Reimbursement Protection Act of 2011- Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to reimburse states under the state criminal alien assistance program (SCAAP) for incarcerating undocumented aliens charged with a felony or two or more misdemeanors. (Currently, such reimbursement is for incarceration of undocumented aliens convicted of a felony or two or more misdemeanors.)
Bill· HRH.R. 1196 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2011
Loophole Elimination and Verification Enforcement Act or the LEAVE Act - Revises immigration- and alien-related provisions regarding: (1) alien smuggling and related offenses, (2) identity security, (3) birthright citizenship, (4) housing and homeowneship, (5) taxes and social security, (6) employee verification, (7) financial services, (8) border and law enforcement, (9) state and local government authority, and (10) in-state tuition.
Bill· HRH.R. 1164 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2011
National Language Act of 2011 - Makes English the official language of the U.S. government. Requires the government to: (1) conduct its official business in English, including publications, income tax forms, and informational materials; and (2) preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the United States. Provides that no person has a right, entitlement, or claim to have the government act, communicate, perform, or provide services or materials in any other language, unless specifically stated in applicable law. Provides that this Act is inapplicable to the use of a language other than English for religious purposes, for training in foreign languages for international communication, or in school programs designed to encourage students to learn foreign languages. Allows the U.S. government to provide interpreters for persons over age 62. Repeals provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 regarding bilingual election requirements and regarding congressional findings of voting discrimination against language minorities, prohibition of English-only elections, and other remedial measures. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that all public ceremonies in which the oath of allegiance is administered pursuant to such Act be conducted solely in English. Prohibits this Act from preempting any state law.
Bill· HRH.R. 1156 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2011
Accountability in Immigrant Repatriation Act of 2011 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Secretary of State, upon notice by the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) that a foreign government denies or unreasonably delays accepting the return of an alien who is a citizen, subject, national, or resident of that country, to order consular officers in that foreign country to stop granting immigrant visas or nonimmigrant visas to citizens, subjects, nationals, and residents of that country until the country has accepted the alien. (Under current law the Attorney General provides such notice to the Secretary of State.) Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security, upon a determination that a foreign government denies or unreasonably delays accepting an alien who is a citizen, subject, national, or resident of that country after the alien has been ordered removed, to deny admission to any citizen, subject, national, or resident of such country who is seeking or has received a diplomatic nonimmigrant visa.
Bill· HRH.R. 1134 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2011
Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make a state or local subdivision ineligible for state criminal alien assistance program (SCAAP) funding if such state or subdivision: (1) has in effect any law, policy, or procedure prohibiting or restricting communication with the Immigration and Naturalization Service or other government entity regarding an individual's citizenship or immigration status; or (2) prohibits state or local law enforcement officials from gathering information regarding an individual's citizenship or immigration status.
Bill· HRH.R. 1114 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2011
StartUp Visa Act of 2011 - 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, government entity, or venture capitalist; and (2) whose commercial activities will generate required levels of employment, revenue, or capital investment. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to 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.
Bill· HRH.R. 1091 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2011
Unlawful Border Entry Prevention Act of 2011 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to construct an additional 350 or more miles of reinforced fencing along the southwest border. Prohibits fencing or any other similar physical infrastructure along the southwest border in existence on December 31, 2010, from being considered in meeting such mileage requirement. Requires the Secretary to submit a plan to Congress to gain operational control of any sector of the southwest border in which there has been a 40% increase over the preceding fiscal year of DHS apprehensions of individuals unlawfully entering the United States.
Bill· SS. 565 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2011
StartUp Visa Act of 2011 - 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, government entity, or venture capitalist; and (2) whose commercial activities will generate required levels of employment, revenue, or capital investment. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to 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.
Bill· SS. 553 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2011
Detention of Unprivileged Enemy Belligerents Act - Reaffirms that: (1) the United States is in an armed conflict with the Taliban, al Qaeda, and associated forces and that those entities continue to pose a threat to the United States and its citizens, both domestically and abroad; and (2) the President is authorized to detain unprivileged enemy belligerents in connection with the continuing armed conflict with the Taliban, al Qaeda, and associated forces, regardless of the place of capture, until the termination of hostilities. Sets forth standards for habeas corpus review for any individual who is held by the United States at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, or whom the United States otherwise holds or seeks to hold as an unprivileged enemy belligerent, and who is subject to the habeas corpus jurisdiction of the federal courts (covered individual). Defines "unprivileged enemy belligerent" as an individual who has engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners, who has purposefully and materially supported hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners, or who was a member of, part of, or operated in a clandestine, covert, or military capacity on behalf of, the Taliban, al Qaeda, or associated forces. Grants the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction and venue for consideration of applications for habeas corpus by or on behalf of a covered individual. Limits the scope of such jurisdiction to challenges to the legality of the continued detention of a covered individual, excluding claims relating to the detention, transfer, treatment, trial, or conditions of confinement of such individual, or any other action against the United States or its agents. Sets forth requirements and criteria relating to: (1) the federal government's burden of proof in habeas corpus proceedings involving a covered individual; (2) discovery of documents and protection of national security information; (3) evidentiary matters, including the exclusion of statements made by a covered individual obtained by torture or by cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; and (4) limitations on second or successive habeas corpus applications. Imposes a stay on pending applications for habeas corpus until military commission proceedings have been exhausted. Prohibits: (1) any court from ordering the release of a covered individual into the United States, its territories, or possessions; (2) the Secretary of State from issuing any visa to, or the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) from admitting or providing any type of immigration status to, a covered individual that may permit such individual to enter, be admitted to, or otherwise be at liberty in the United States; and (3) the Attorney General or the DHS Secretary from paroling into the United States any alien who was being detained by the Department of Defense (DOD) at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base as of January 1, 2009. Denies any court, justice, or judge jurisdiction to hear or consider an application for a writ of habeas corpus filed by or on behalf of an alien detained by the United States who is awaiting a status determination under the law of war, except in the case of undue delay.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 29 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2011
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) state and local governments should be supported for taking actions to discourage illegal immigration, (2) current immigration laws should be enforced to the highest extent of the law, (3) the Department of Justice (DOJ) should not use taxpayer funds to sue states or local jurisdictions that are forced to pass their own immigration legislation due to the federal government's failure to act on the issue, and (4) federal legislation to enhance border security and immigration law enforcement should be passed quickly in order to ease the burden on state and local governments.
Bill· HRH.R. 959 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2011
Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2011 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding the visa waiver program to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Secretary of State, to designate program countries; (2) replace visa refusal rates with visa overstay rates in determining program participation; (3) set a maximum 3% visa overstay rate for program countries; and (4) revise probationary status and program termination provisions. Directs the Comptroller General to review the Secretary of Homeland Security's methods for tracking aliens entering and exiting the United States and for detecting visa overstays.
Bill· SS. 497 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2011
Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2011 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding the visa waiver program to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Secretary of State, to designate program countries; (2) replace visa refusal rates with visa overstay rates in determining program participation; (3) set a maximum 3% visa overstay rate for program countries; and (4) revise probationary status and program termination provisions. Directs the Comptroller General to review the Secretary of Homeland Security's methods for tracking aliens entering and exiting the United States and for detecting visa overstays.
Bill· SS. 480 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2011
Haitian Emergency Life Protection Act of 2011 or the H.E.L.P. Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to V- visa nonimmigrants (spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents who come to the United States to wait for completion of the immigrant visa process) to include certain Haitian nationals whose petition for a family-sponsored immigrant visa was approved on or before January 12, 2010. Authorizes the Secretary of State to use secondary evidence to verify eligibility for such status or for immediate relative status. Sunsets the provisions of this Act two years after its enactment.
Law· HRH.R. 915 (112th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2011
Jaime Zapata Border Enforcement Security Task Force Act - Establishes in United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) a Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) program to enhance border security by addressing and reducing border security threats and violence by: (1) facilitating collaboration among federal, state, local, tribal, and foreign law enforcement agencies to execute coordinated activities in furtherance of border security and homeland security; and (2) enhancing information-sharing among such agencies. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), acting through the Assistant Secretary for ICE, to establish BEST units after considering: (1) whether the area where the unit would be established is significantly impacted by cross-border threats; (2) the availability of federal, state, local, tribal, and foreign law enforcement resources to participate in the unit; and (3) the extent to which border security threats are having a significant harmful impact in the area and in other jurisdictions. Authorizes the Secretary, in order to provide federal assistance to the area so designated, to: (1) obligate such sums as are appropriated for the BEST program; (2) direct the assignment of federal personnel to that program; and (3) take other actions to assist state, local, tribal, and foreign jurisdictions to participate. Directs the Secretary to report on the effectiveness of the program in enhancing border security and reducing the drug trafficking, arms smuggling, illegal alien trafficking and smuggling, violence, and kidnapping along and across U.S. borders.
Bill· HRH.R. 933 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2011
Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act - Sets forth detention standards for immigration detention facilities. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) convene a detention advisory committee; (2) promulgate regulations regarding detainee care and custody; (3) implement secure alternatives to detention programs under which eligible aliens are released under supervision, assistance, and monitoring that ensure their appearance at all immigration interviews, appointments, and hearings; and (4) provide protective detention alternatives for specified categories of vulnerable aliens.
Bill· HRH.R. 932 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2011
Criminal Alien Removal Act of 2011 - Directs the the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to carry out a Criminal Alien Program to: (1) identify incarcerated criminal aliens, (2) ensure that such aliens are not released into the community, and (3) remove such aliens from the United States upon release. Makes a state that does not cooperate with the Secretary to carry out the Program ineligible for Department of Justice (DOJ) law enforcement grant programs (including the criminal alien incarceration program under the Immigration and Nationality Act). Authorizes appropriate state officials to: (1) hold an illegal alien for up to 14 days after completion of the term of incarceration in order to effectuate transfer to federal custody if the alien is removable or not lawfully present in the United States, and (2) issue a detainer permitting an alien who completes a term of incarceration to be held until U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement takes the alien into custody. Directs the Secretary to carry out the Program as follows: (1) by December 31, 2012, identify each criminal alien incarcerated in a federal facility who will be deportable or removable upon release; and (2) by December 31, 2014, identify each criminal alien serving a term of three or more years in a state or local facility who will be deportable or removable upon release.
Bill· SS. 430 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2011
Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, with respect to naturalization of an Afghan or Iraqi translator who is a lawful permanent resident, to count a period of absence from the United States working as a translator for the United States or a U.S. contractor in Afghanistan or Iraq towards the accumulation of the required U.S. physical presence.
Report· HearingH.Hrg.112published
United States · United States House of Representatives · 1 March 2011
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 130 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2011
Expresses support for the designation of, and requests the President to issue a proclamation recognizing, Cesar E. Chavez Day. Expresses support for a curriculum in public elementary and secondary schools in the United States focusing on the goals and ideals of Chavez and his dedication to farm workers' children by organizing migrant schools. Recognizes the legacy of Chavez in denouncing the abuse of human dignity and the exploitation of the vulnerable, in promoting education, and in advancing the American Dream.
Bill· HRH.R. 800 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2011
Jobs Recovery by Ensuring a Legal American Workforce Act of 2011- Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to make the E-Verify Program (Program) permanent and mandatory. Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study of methods to combat Program document fraud. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to take specified actions to enhance the E-Verify employer monitoring and compliance team within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Directs the Commissioner of Social Security (SSA) to: (1) to notify an individual that wages from two or more employers are being reported under the individual's social security account number (SSN), and (2) promulgate regulations to require that information regarding all multiple use notifications that lead to the identification of an unauthorized user of a SSN be shared with the Secretary. Directs DHS to: (1) report to the state agency that administers unemployment benefits regarding jobs that have potentially been made available by evidence of an employee being dismissed for Program non-confirmation, and (2) display on the Program's Internet home page as "Recovered Jobs" the total number of jobs by month and year reported to the states and a link to the total number of jobs reported to each state by month and year. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) penalize specified employers for failure to correct information returns; and (2) prohibit employers from deducting from gross income wages paid to unauthorized aliens, with an exception for an employer participating in the Program. Directs the Commissioner, the Secretary, and the Secretary of the Treasury to jointly establish a program to share information that may lead to the identification of unauthorized aliens. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, upon request from the Commissioner or the Secretary, to disclose: (1) taxpayer identity information of employers who paid wages with respect to which a deduction was not allowed because of illegal payments or because of being paid to unauthorized aliens, and (2) taxpayer identity information of individuals to whom such wages were paid.
Bill· HRH.R. 770 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2011
Border Enforcement Security Task Force Act of 2011 - Establishes in United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) a Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) program to enhance border security by addressing and reducing border security threats and violence by: (1) facilitating collaboration among federal, state, local, tribal, and foreign law enforcement agencies to execute coordinated activities in furtherance of border security and homeland security; and (2) enhancing information-sharing among such agencies. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), acting through the Assistant Secretary for ICE, to establish BEST units after considering: (1) whether the area where the unit would be established is significantly impacted by cross-border threats; (2) the availability of federal, state, local, tribal, and foreign law enforcement resources to participate in the unit; and (3) the extent to which border security threats are having a significant harmful impact in the area and in other jurisdictions. Authorizes the Secretary, in order to provide federal assistance to the area so designated, to: (1) obligate such sums as are appropriated for the BEST program; (2) direct the assignment of federal personnel to that program; and (3) take other actions to assist state, local, tribal, and foreign jurisdictions to participate. Directs the Secretary to report on the effectiveness of the program in enhancing border security and reducing the drug trafficking, arms smuggling, illegal alien trafficking and smuggling, violence, and kidnapping along and across U.S. borders.
Bill· HRH.R. 704 (112th)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2011
Security and Fairness Enhancement for America Act of 2011 or SAFE for America Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the diversity immigrant program.
Bill· HRH.R. 714 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2011
Visitors Interested in Strengthening America (VISA) Act of 2011 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official to waive certain entry documentary requirements for a nonimmigrant child (unmarried and under the age of 16) who is a citizen or national of Mexico and accompanying parent or adult chaperone in instances of medical visits, student groups, or special community events. Sets forth additional requirements for such entries.
Bill· HRH.R. 713 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2011
Keeping Families Together Act of 2011 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (Act) to repeal the provision amending the definition of "aggravated felony," and restore provisions of law amended by such provision as if it had not been enacted, including residency-or status-related rights of an affected legal alien. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise detention of criminal alien provisions, effective as if included in the Act. Repeals, as if included in the Act: (1) certain provisions respecting termination of continuous presence or physical presence in the United States, and (2) the definition of "conviction." Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to admit certain lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens returning to the United States who temporarily proceeded abroad voluntarily and not under an order of deportation or removal, effective as of a specified date, as if certain sections of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 and the Act had not been enacted. Revises provisions respecting judicial review of removal orders. Requires the Secretary to establish a post-proceeding removal relief process for affected aliens.
Bill· SS. 332 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2011
Strengthening Our Commitment to Legal Immigration and America's Security Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit an alien to be paroled into the United States or granted deferred action of a final order of removal only on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Requires an eligible state, local law enforcement agency, detention center, or correction facility enrolled in the secure communities program or enrolled to perform immigration law enforcement functions to fully comply with such requirements or functions in order to qualify for incarceration compensation. Makes an alien who the consular officer or the Attorney General knows or has reason to believe is a member of a known criminal organization that regularly engages in transnational criminal activity inadmissible to the United States. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a mandatory exit procedure for foreign visitors based upon: (1) the results of U.S. Customs and Border Protection pilot exit programs, and (2) the feasibility and benefits of the departure confirmation systems tested under such programs. Eliminates the diversity visa program. Expresses the sense of Congress that the diversity visa program will be discontinued unless Congress enacts legislation to authorize its continuation with changes to reduce fraud and abuse. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report to Congress annually regarding the total amount of federal welfare benefits provided to each state and households with illegal aliens. Amends title XXI (Children's Health Insurance Program) (CHIP) of the Social Security Act to permit a state to continue receiving federal matching funds for covering legal immigrant children and legal immigrant pregnant woman if the state: (1) has covered at least 90% of its U.S. citizen/national children eligible for CHIP or Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) whose family incomes do not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level; and (2) will provide health benefit coverage to lawfully residing immigrant children or lawfully residing immigrant pregnant women that will not be less than the amount of such funds expended in FY2009. Requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with respect to an employee's inaccurate social security number to: (1) notify an employer that such a number has been discovered; (2) if the employer does not correct the number, notify the number holder and request clarification, including the possible fraudulent use of such number; and (3) notify specified federal agencies if the holder fails to reply. Amends the Controlled Substances Act to: (1) increase prison penalties for cultivating or manufacturing controlled substances on federal property; and (2) prohibit a person, while cultivating or manufacturing a controlled substance on federal property, from clear cutting timber or diverting or obstructing a stream or body of water. Increases related penalties under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, including increasing penalties if such violation involves the possession of firearms. Requires the Director of National Drug Control Policy to implement an action plan for keeping controlled substances off federal land.
Bill· HRH.R. 699 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2011
Tibetan Refugee Assistance Act of 2011 - Makes 3,000 immigrant visas in FY2012-FY2014 available to 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. Makes such visas available to the sons, daughters, grandsons, or granddaughters of such individuals.
Bill· HRH.R. 693 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2011
E-Verify Modernization Act of 2011 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to make the E-Verify Program permanent and mandatory. Revises specified Program procedures.
Bill· HRH.R. 692 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2011
Nuclear Family Priority Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to replace existing family-sponsored immigrant categories with a single preference allocation for spouses and children of permanent resident aliens. Reduces the number of, and revises the calculation for, fiscal year family-sponsored immigrant entrants. Establishes a nonimmigrant visa category for an alien who is a parent of a U.S. citizen at least 21 years old.
Bill· HRH.R. 607 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2011
Broadband for First Responders Act of 2011 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to increase the electromagnetic spectrum allocation for public safety services by 10 megahertz and reduce such allocation for commercial use by the same amount. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) allocate the paired electromagnetic spectrum bands of 758-763 megahertz and 788-793 megahertz (referred to as D Block) for public safety broadband communications and license such paired bands to public safety; (2) establish rules to permit a public safety broadband licensee to authorize public safety service providers to construct and operate a wireless public safety broadband network in the licensee's spectrum if such authorization would expedite public safety broadband communications; (3) require that any wireless public safety broadband network be fully interoperable, provide for user roaming, be disaster survivable, have the appropriate level of cyber security, and be consistent with the Statewide Interoperable Communications Plans and the National Emergency Communications Plan; (4) establish regulations to authorize the shared use of the public safety broadband spectrum and network infrastructure by entities that are not defined as public safety services; (5) establish regulations to allow use of the public safety broadband spectrum by emergency response providers; and (6) develop a public safety agency statement of requirements that enables nationwide interoperability and roaming across any communications system using public safety broadband spectrum. Specifies organizations that shall be included in the Board of Directors of the Public Safety Broadband Licensee. Establishes in the Treasury: (1) the Public Safety Interoperable Broadband Network Construction Fund, and (2) the Public Safety Interoperable Broadband Network Maintenance and Operation Fund. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) establish a grant program to assist public safety entities to establish a nationwide public safety interoperable broadband network in the 700 megahertz band, and (2) administer a program through which not more than 50% of maintenance and operational expenses associated with the public safety interoperable broadband network may be reimbursed from the Maintenance and Operation Fund. Directs: (1) the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to reallocate for commercial use electromagnetic spectrum at 1755-1780 megahertz, and (2) the FCC, within 18 months after enactment of this Act, to establish rules for pairing electromagnetic spectrum bands at 1755-1780 megahertz and 2155-2180 megahertz, inclusive, and auction the licenses for such paired spectrum. Requires each public safety entity, within 8 years, to migrate from a specified range of radio spectrum to an alternative radio spectrum that is licensed to public safety services in the 700 and 800 megahertz bands. Directs each federal law enforcement agency, within 10 years, to move all noncommercial network communications to spectrum in such bands. Directs the FCC to auction, through an appropriate competitive bidding system, certain paired electromagnetic spectrum bands recovered from public safety entities under a specified FCC migration plan. Extends the FCC's authority to grant a license or permit under applicable competitive bidding provisions to September 30, 2020.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 15 (112th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2011
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) should incorporate consideration of the effects of global warming and sea-level rise into the comprehensive conservation plan for each coastal national wildlife refuge. Calls for such plans to address how global warming and sea-level rise will affect: (1) the ecological integrity, archaeological and cultural values, and distribution, migration patterns, and abundance of fish, wildlife, and plant populations and related habitats of the refuge; (2) areas within the refuge that are suitable for use as administrative sites or visitor facilities; and (3) opportunities for compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses of the refuge. Calls for the Director of the USFWS to conduct an assessment of the potential impacts of global warming and sea-level rise on coastal national wildlife refuges.
Bill· SS. 226 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2011
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit judicial review of visa or document revocation. (Judicial review is currently permitted in a deportation proceeding if such revocation is the sole ground for deportation.) States that this Act shall: (1) take effect on the date of its enactment; and (2) apply to all visas issued before, on, or after such date.
Bill· HRH.R. 483 (112th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2011
Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification and Illegal Immigration Control Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a toll-free telephone- or electronic media-based employment eligibility verification system. Requires such system to: (1) provide verification or tentative non-verification of an individual's identity and employment eligibility within three days of an inquiry, and (2) provide, in the case of tentative non-verification, a secondary process for final verification or non-verification within 10 days. Requires: (1) the Commissioner of Social Security to develop a process for comparing names and social security numbers against appropriate databases in response to employer inquiries, and (2) the Secretary to develop a process for comparing names and alien identification or authorization numbers and to investigate uses of the same social security number that suggest fraud. Limits verification system-related individual relief to procedures under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Prohibits class actions. Immunizes from civil or criminal liability a person or entity who takes action in good faith reliance on verification system information. Sets forth employer verification requirements with respect to an affirmative defense to liability for employment of unauthorized workers, including revision of attestation and retention of verification form provisions. Places limits on the collection and use of data from the verification system. Expands the employment eligibility verification system to include: (1) previously hired individuals, and (2) recruitment and referral. Provides for: (1) voluntary employer verification utilizing such system two years after enactment of this Act for previously hired individuals, (2) mandatory employer verification three years after enactment of this Act by federal, state, and local governments, and the military for employees not verified under such system working at federal, state or local government buildings, military bases, nuclear energy sites, weapons sites, airports, or critical infrastructure sites, and (3) mandatory employer verification six years after enactment of this Act for all employees not previously verified under such system. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to extend the E-Verify program (formerly the basic pilot program) until two years after enactment of this Act. Applies employment eligibility verification requirements to labor service agencies. Revises civil and criminal penalty provisions. Establishes in the Treasury the Employment Verification Compensation Fund. Directs the Secretary to establish a publicly available contractor database. Authorizes the Commissioner to carry out verification responsibilities under this Act. Prohibits funds from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund from being used to carry out such responsibilities.
Bill· SS. 177 (112th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2011
Gold Hill-Wakamatsu Preservation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire the Gold Hill Ranch in Coloma, California, including any interest in the Ranch, by purchase from a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds, donation, or exchange. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with public or nonprofit entities to interpret the history of the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony and related pioneer history associated with Japanese immigration to the area. Permits the development of a visitor center.