Immigration

Protecting America From Spies Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2021

Protecting America From Spies Act This bill expands the grounds for barring aliens who have engaged in acts relating to espionage or sabotage from entering the United States. Specifically, any alien shall be inadmissible if the alien has engaged in or will engage in an act that (1) violates a U.S. law relating to espionage or sabotage; (2) would violate any U.S. law relating to espionage or sabotage if it occurred in the United States; or (3) violates any U.S. law prohibiting the export of goods, technology, or sensitive information. Currently, an alien shall be inadmissible if the alien seeks to enter the United States to engage in such an action. Furthermore, the bill expands these grounds of inadmissibility and other security-related grounds to cover the spouse or child of the barred alien if the act occurred in the last five years. The bill also modifies the authority of the Department of Justice to waive certain security-related grounds of inadmissibility for an alien applying for a nonimmigrant visa.

Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2021

Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2021 This bill exempts from worldwide or numerical limitations certain family-sponsored immigrant visas for the sons and daughters of Filipino World War II veterans who were naturalized under certain laws providing for naturalization for service during World War II.

Rural Jobs Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2021

Rural Jobs Act This bill allocates an additional $500 million in 2021 and 2022 for new markets tax credit investments in the Rural Jobs Zone (an area comprised of low-income communities with populations not greater than 50,000 that are not adjacent to an urbanized area). The bill also requires that at least 25% of such investments be made in areas that are persistent poverty counties, high migration rural counties, or both.

ANTI-Drugs Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2021

Assisting Narcotics and Trafficking officers in Interdicting Drugs Act or the ANTI-Drugs Act This bill provides statutory authorization for the Operation Stonegarden grant program within the Department of Homeland Security. Through the program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall provide grants for enhancing border security to law enforcement agencies that are (1) in a state with an international land or maritime border, and (2) involved in an active U.S. Customs and Border Protection operation coordinated through the Border Patrol. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2026 (1) the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program, which provides federal assistance to state and local enforcement agencies in areas deemed as critical drug trafficking regions; and (2) the Community Oriented Policing Services program within the Department of Justice, which provides grants for various law enforcement-related purposes.

Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2021

Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2021 This bill exempts from worldwide or numerical limitations certain family-sponsored immigrant visas for the sons and daughters of Filipino World War II veterans who were naturalized under certain laws providing for naturalization for service during World War II.

Protecting America From Spies Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2021

Protecting America From Spies Act This bill expands the grounds for barring aliens who have engaged in acts relating to espionage or sabotage from entering the United States. Specifically, any alien shall be inadmissible if the alien has engaged in or will engage in an act that (1) violates a U.S. law relating to espionage or sabotage; (2) would violate any U.S. law relating to espionage or sabotage if it occurred in the United States; or (3) violates any U.S. law prohibiting the export of goods, technology, or sensitive information. Currently, an alien shall be inadmissible if the alien seeks to enter the United States to engage in such an action. Furthermore, the bill expands these grounds of inadmissibility and other security-related grounds to cover the spouse or child of the barred alien if the act occurred in the last five years. The bill also modifies the authority of the Department of Justice to waive certain security-related grounds of inadmissibility for an alien applying for a nonimmigrant visa.

Rural Jobs Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2021

Rural Jobs Act This bill allocates an additional $500 million in 2022 and 2023 for new markets tax credit investments in the Rural Jobs Zone (an area comprised of low-income communities with populations not greater than 50,000 that are not adjacent to an urbanized area). The bill also requires that at least 25% of such investments be made in areas that are persistent poverty counties, high migration rural counties, or both.

Migrant Facility Transparency Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2021

Migrant Facility Transparency Act of 2021 This bill allows a municipality or county to block the establishment of a temporary influx facility within its borders and addresses other related issues. (Generally, these temporary facilities provide shelter capacity when there is a large increase in the number of migrants arriving into the United States.) Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must, at least seven days before selecting a site for such a facility, provide certain information about the planned facility to specified federal, state, and local officials, including officials for the municipality or county where the facility will be located. If the municipality or county notifies HHS of its opposition to the facility within three days of receiving the information, HHS may not establish the facility at that location. HHS must also notify the relevant federal, state, and local officials of (1) certain changes related to such a facility's operations, and (2) any major security or safety incident at the facility. Within 14 days of this bill's enactment, HHS must report to Congress certain information about the safety of temporary influx facilities. If HHS does not meet this deadline, HHS must immediately pause all intake processing at such facilities until the report is submitted.

Protecting Children Through Eliminating Visa Loopholes Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2021

Protecting Children Through Eliminating Visa Loopholes Act This bill requires an alien who seeks to qualify for a nonimmigrant visa as engaged or married to a U.S. citizen to be at least 18 years old, and the sponsoring U.S. citizen must also be at least 18 years old. The bill also establishes that the terms spouse , wife , and husband shall not apply to any individual less than 18 years old for the purposes of the immigration and nationality laws.

Ending Sanctuary Cities Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2021

Ending Sanctuary Cities Act of 2021 This bill makes state or local governments that violate immigration laws ineligible for federal financial assistance. A governmental entity shall be ineligible if it (1) violates federal law by prohibiting its officials from communicating with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about the immigration status of any individual, (2) restricts compliance with DHS detainer requests, or (3) has any laws or policies that violate immigration laws. (A DHS detainer request is an order or request to a state or local government to temporarily hold or transport an alien for transfer into federal custody or notify DHS before releasing an alien from custody.) A government or law enforcement officer that complies with a DHS detainer request shall be acting under the color of federal authority, for the purposes of liability or immunity in a lawsuit filed by the detained individual. The bill makes it unlawful for a state or local government to discharge or discriminate against one of its law enforcement officers for complying with a DHS detainer request.

Temporary Family Visitation Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2021

Temporary Family Visitation Act This bill establishes a new nonimmigrant visa classification for an alien temporarily entering the United States to visit a relative who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The maximum period of stay for a family visitor visa shall be 90 days. An alien seeking such a visa must have health insurance for the duration of the stay. An alien who holds such a visa may not change to another nonimmigrant visa classification except in certain limited instances. If an alien has been approved for a family-based immigrant visa and is waiting for one to become available, the alien may obtain a family visitor visa if the alien meets the eligibility requirements.

To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a plan to establish travel corridors at land-based border ports of entry to facilitate cross-border travel at the northern border, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2021

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to negotiate with the Canadian government to establish travel corridors at land-based ports of entry along the U.S.-Canada border. If DHS and the Canadian government reach an agreement, DHS must establish such travel corridors. Specifically, DHS must seek to enter into negotiations with the Canadian government to establish (1) travel corridors based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Public Health Agency of Canada, and (2) documentation requirements for travelers using such travel corridors.

Fairness for Immigrant Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2021

Fairness for Immigrant Families Act This bill modifies provisions barring certain aliens from admission and addresses other immigration-related issues. The bill repeals various admissions bars against aliens who were unlawfully present in the United States for certain amounts of time. The bill also modifies a provision that generally makes inadmissible aliens who had been ordered removed and who attempt to reenter the United States without being admitted. Specifically, the bill exempts from that provision minors, asylum seekers, aliens who received a stay of removal under a family unity program, victims of severe trafficking, and certain aliens who entered the United States as children. An alien who entered the United States without inspection may apply for lawful permanent residence during the five-year period starting from this bill's enactment if the alien is the beneficiary of a family-based petition or labor certification. The bill also prohibits removing an alien with certain pending immigration-related applications, such as an application for a family-based immigrant visa, if the application is not obviously deficient. Before removing a parent or legal guardian of an individual who is less than 21 years old and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement must review and approve the removal. Furthermore, the bill makes it a crime to fraudulently provide immigration services. The Department of Justice must make grants to support enforcement of such laws and to assist victims. The bill establishes the National Office of New Americans to support the integration of immigrants and refugees.

Temporary Family Visitation Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2021

Temporary Family Visitation Act This bill establishes a new nonimmigrant visa classification for an alien temporarily entering the United States to visit a relative who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The maximum period of stay for a family visitor visa shall be 90 days. An alien seeking such a visa must have health insurance for the duration of the stay. An alien who holds such a visa may not change to another nonimmigrant visa classification except in certain limited instances. If an alien has been approved for a family-based immigrant visa and is waiting for one to become available, the alien may obtain a family visitor visa if the alien meets the eligibility requirements.

Operation Stonegarden Authorization Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2021

Operation Stonegarden Authorization Act This bill provides statutory authorization for the Operation Stonegarden grant program within the Department of Homeland Security. Through the program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall provide grants for enhancing border security to law enforcement agencies that are (1) in a state with an international land or maritime border, and (2) involved in an active U.S. Customs and Border Protection operation coordinated through the Border Patrol.

Empowering Law Enforcement Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2021

Empowering Law Enforcement Act of 2021 This bill addresses issues relating to immigration enforcement. The bill declares that state and local law enforcement have inherent authority to investigate and arrest individuals to assist federal immigration enforcement. (Currently, state and local law enforcement may take certain immigration enforcement actions upon entering into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must reimburse state and local law enforcement for the costs of holding or transporting a detained alien. DHS may detain an alien beyond the removal period (generally the window in which DHS must remove an alien after a final order of removal) upon making certain certifications, such as a certification that the alien's release would threaten community safety. DHS may renew this certification every six months after giving the alien an opportunity to request reconsideration of the certification. An alien challenging such detention may only do so by filing an application for a writ of habeas corpus. Certain aliens subject to mandatory detention may be held without time limitation while removal proceedings are pending. DHS must detain an alien who is present in the United States without lawful status if the alien has been convicted for driving while intoxicated. DHS must establish a process to determine whether an alien not subject to mandatory detention and who has tried to comply with a removal order should be detained or released with conditions. The Department of Justice must include information about immigration law violations in the National Crime Information Center database.

Make the Migrant Protection Protocols Mandatory Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2021

Make the Migrant Protection Protocols Mandatory Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to remove certain aliens from the United States while such an alien's application for admission is pending. Specifically, if an alien arrived by land from a foreign country bordering the United States and the alien is not clearly and beyond a doubt entitled to admission into the United States, DOJ must return that alien to that bordering foreign country while the alien's application for admission is pending. (Currently, DOJ may choose to detain such an alien or return the alien to the bordering foreign country while the application for admission is pending.)

UAC State Notification Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2021

UAC State Notification Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Homeland Security to notify a state at least 48 hours before placing an unaccompanied alien child in the care of a proposed custodian in that state.

LPOE Modernization Trust Fund Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2021

LPOE Modernization Trust Fund Act This bill establishes the Land Port of Entry Modernization Trust Fund and addresses other issues related to U.S. ports of entry. The bill transfers specified amounts, including a portion of certain collected customs fees, to the trust fund each year. It also requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State to collect certain surcharges related to immigration and land border inspections, with a portion of the surcharges to be deposited into the trust fund. DHS may not seek to increase fees to offset the amounts transferred into the trust fund. The amounts in the trust fund may be used without further appropriation to (1) construct new ports of entry, (2) expand and improve existing ports of entry, (3) procure technology for inspecting and processing traffic passing through ports of entry, and (4) hiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection staff. In order to use the trust fund, DHS must annually report to Congress certain information about the trust fund. DHS must also establish the Border Port of Entry Modernization Oversight Board to advise DHS on how to use the trust fund and to review the trust fund's expenditures.

STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES ON ADDRESSING MIGRATION PUSH FACTORS

United States · United States House of Representatives · 6 May 2021

Foreign National Firearms Background Check Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2021

Foreign National Firearms Background Check Enhancement Act This bill modifies the exceptions to a provision that generally prohibits a nonimmigrant visa holder from obtaining a firearm or ammunition. Current law provides certain exceptions to this prohibition against a nonimmigrant receiving a firearm or ammunition, such as for a nonimmigrant who has a U.S. hunting license. This bill narrows the exceptions by, among other changes, requiring a nonimmigrant with a hunting license to get a waiver from the Department of Justice (DOJ) before receiving a firearm. The person transferring the firearm to a nonimmigrant visa holder must verify the validity of the waiver with DOJ.

American Families United Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2021

American Families United Act This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Department of Justice (DOJ) to exercise discretion in certain immigration cases. The bill also removes certain requirements related to birthright citizenship. Under this bill, DOJ or DHS may, on a case-by-case basis, exercise discretion by declining to remove an alien or bar an alien from entering the United States to prevent hardship for the alien's U.S. citizen spouse, parent, or child. However, DOJ or DHS may not exercise this discretion if the alien is removable or inadmissible due to certain grounds, including specified crime- and security-related grounds. The bill also removes certain requirements related to birthright citizenship for a child born outside of the United States to one U.S. citizen parent and one alien parent. Specifically, the bill removes a provision that requires the U.S. citizen parent to be physically present in the United States for at least five years before the child's birth in order for the child to acquire U.S. citizenship at birth.

Freedom for Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2021

Freedom for Families Act This bill prohibits using federal funds for facilities used to detain noncitizen families and addresses related issues. Specifically, no funds made available may be used to operate or construct a family detention center, whether operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or a contractor. This prohibition shall also apply to funds made available before this bill's enactment. Funds obligated to operate such centers must instead be used for implementing and developing nondetention programs that are community-based and consistent with international best practices. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may place an apprehended noncitizen family into such a nondetention program if DHS makes an individualized determination that doing so will facilitate the family's compliance with immigration laws. The programs must provide to participants a legal orientation and meaningful access to counsel.

Energy Security and Lightering Independence Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2021

Energy Security and Lightering Independence Act of 2021 This bill authorizes an alien crewman to obtain a permit to land in the United States for up to 180 days if, during this period, the crewman will perform ship-to-ship liquid cargo transfer operations involving a vessel engaged in foreign trade. Currently, an alien crewman may obtain a permit to land for up to 29 days. Under this bill, an alien passing in transit through the United States to board a vessel to perform the above-described liquid cargo transfer operations may qualify as a nonimmigrant in transit. (A qualifying nonimmigrant in transit may obtain a transit visa.)

Border Transportation Efficiency Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2021

Border Transportation Efficiency Act This bill directs Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to establish a program to expedite detainee transport to processing facilities. Under the program, CBP shall ensure that at least 300 border patrol agents that have commercial driver's licenses with passenger endorsements are assigned to remote border patrol stations. CBP shall also ensure that for specified geographical sectors (1) a certain number of border patrol agents with commercial driver's licenses are serving on each shift, and (2) a certain number of buses are assigned.

Freedom for Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2021

Freedom for Families Act This bill prohibits using federal funds for facilities used to detain noncitizen families and addresses related issues. Specifically, no funds made available may be used to operate or construct a family detention center, whether operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or a contractor. This prohibition shall also apply to funds made available before this bill's enactment. Funds obligated to operate such centers must instead be used for implementing and developing nondetention programs that are community-based and consistent with international best practices. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may place an apprehended noncitizen family into such a nondetention program if DHS makes an individualized determination that doing so will facilitate the family's compliance with immigration laws. The programs must provide to participants a legal orientation and meaningful access to counsel.

REMOTE Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2021

Remote, Emergency, Medical, Online Training, Telehealth, and EMT Act or the REMOTE Act This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to take actions to improve CBP medical services along the southern border. CBP shall make emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic training available to selected border patrol agents along the southern border. Agents that complete the training or already have EMT or paramedic certifications shall receive specified pay increases. The bill imposes requirements related to (1) the percentage of agents with EMT or paramedic training assigned in each sector, and (2) minimum levels of various medical supplies in each sector. Furthermore, CBP shall require all border patrol agents and officers to complete online training on how to (1) identify common signs of medical distress in children, and (2) timely transfer sick children to medical care. CBP shall also ensure that all remote stations, forward operating bases, and remote ports of entry on the southern border have voice access to a medical command physician.

``WHY DON'T THEY JUST GET IN LINE?''. BARRIERS TO LEGAL IMMIGRATION

United States · United States House of Representatives · 28 April 2021

EB–5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2021

EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2021 This bill reauthorizes the EB-5 Regional Center program through FY2026 and makes various changes to the program, such as imposing various oversight requirements. (EB-5 visas provide permanent resident status to qualified alien investors. A regional center allows EB-5 aliens to pool investments to meet various investment and job creation requirements.) Oversight-related provisions include requiring each center to (1) notify the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of proposed changes to the center's structure, (2) maintain certain records and make such records available to DHS for audits, (3) obtain approval for each particular investment offering, and (4) annually report to DHS. The bill prohibits certain individuals and entities from involvement in a center, such as (1) a person who had committed a violation involving fraud in the previous 10 years, (2) a non-U.S. national not admitted for permanent residence, or (3) a foreign government official. DHS shall deny petitions, such as a petition to certify a regional center or to classify an alien as an alien investor, if approval would threaten U.S. national interest. The bill provides various enforcement authority to DHS and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, including the ability to permanently bar an individual from participating in the regional center program. The bill establishes the EB-5 Integrity Fund to fund program enforcement activities. The bill contains various provisions related to EB-5 petitions, such as a provision authorizing DHS to extend an alien's conditional permanent residence status. 

Stop Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2021

Stop Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2021 This bill makes the misappropriation of trade secrets a ground for deporting or barring an alien from entry into the United States. Specifically, an alien may be denied entry into the United States if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the alien has violated, is violating, or is seeking entry to violate any U.S. law relating to the misappropriation of trade secrets or economic espionage. Similarly, an alien may be deported if the alien has violated, is violating, or after admission into the United States violates any U.S. law relating to the misappropriation of trade secrets or economic espionage.

Families Belong Together Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2021

Families Belong Together Act This bill provides various immigration benefits for eligible alien parents (or legal guardians) and minor children who were separated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021. Generally, to be an eligible parent or minor child under this bill, the alien must not be inadmissible for certain crime- or security-related grounds, though DHS may waive certain grounds for humanitarian or public interest reasons. Furthermore, an eligible child who was separated as a minor remains eligible for the immigration benefits after reaching majority. DHS must grant humanitarian parole into the United States to an eligible alien who requests such parole, regardless of whether the alien is physically present in the United States. An eligible alien in the United States may apply for lawful permanent resident status. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services shall grant a qualifying alien's lawful permanent resident status within 30 days of receiving the alien's application. An alien who receives lawful permanent resident status under this bill shall be eligible for benefits and services that are available to an alien who is admitted as a refugee. Certain annual numerical limitations shall not apply to aliens who receive lawful permanent resident status under this bill. If an alien seeks judicial review of a denial of an application for lawful permanent resident status under this bill, the Department of Justice shall appoint counsel to represent that alien upon request.

Syrian Partner Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2021

Syrian Partner Protection Act This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide special immigrant status to qualified aliens who assisted U.S. efforts in Syria against the Islamic State. (A special immigrant is qualified to become a permanent resident.) A qualifying alien is a Syrian national (or stateless person who habitually resided in Syria) who (1) partnered with or worked for the United States in Syria in a sensitive and trusted capacity (such as an interpreter) on or after January 1, 2014, for at least one year, and (2) provided documented service to U.S. efforts against the Islamic State. The spouse or child of such an alien shall also qualify for special immigrant status. DHS may admit up to 4,000 principal aliens under this bill each fiscal year for the five fiscal years after this bill's enactment. Unused visas at the end of a fiscal year shall carry forward and be available the next year. Aliens admitted under this bill shall not be subject to other numerical limitations. If a qualifying alien applying for special immigrant status under this bill is in imminent danger, the Department of State shall provide protection to that alien. An alien who has received special immigrant status under this bill shall be eligible for benefits generally available to admitted refugees, such as resettlement assistance.

Bipartisan Border Solutions Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2021

Bipartisan Border Solutions Act of 2021 This bill establishes regional processing centers for conducting immigration-related activities and addresses other related issues. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall establish at least four regional processing centers along the southern border in high-traffic Border Patrol sectors. These centers shall conduct processing activities such as criminal history checks, medical screenings, asylum interviews and credible fear determinations, and short-term detention of individuals. The bill imposes various requirements, such as requiring the centers to (1) allow nongovernmental entities access to detained individuals to provide humanitarian or legal assistance, and (2) provide detained aliens access to legal counsel for certain asylum proceedings. The bill also requires DHS and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop pilot programs to improve asylum decisions, credible fear determinations, access to counsel, and case management of aliens awaiting asylum hearings or decisions. DOJ shall, to the greatest extent practicable, prioritize removal cases involving aliens apprehended while entering the United States during an irregular migration influx. Before placing an unaccompanied alien child with an individual, the Department of Health and Human Services must conduct a criminal background check of each adult member of that individual's household. An alien child may not be placed in a household where an individual has been convicted of certain crimes, including offenses involving sex or domestic violence. The bill also makes it a crime to make a materially false statement or knowingly use a false document to obtain custody of an unaccompanied alien child.

Expressing support for the recognition of April as Arab American Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Arab Americans in the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2021

This resolution supports the designation of an Arab American Heritage Month.

A bill to require United States educational institutions to include information regarding financial transactions with the Government of the People's Republic of China or its affiliates in any petition for certification or recertification with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2021

This bill requires educational institutions that participate in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to report certain information regarding that institution's dealings with China's government. Specifically, when an institution petitions for certification or recertification with the program, its petition must include (1) the final copies of any documentation of financial transactions between the institution (or any affiliated groups or entities) and an entity funded by China's government, and (2) a detailed description of any financial contribution from China's government to any student or faculty groups affiliated with the institution. An institution that fails to provide such information shall lose its approval (or be denied approval) under the program, and visas for students attending the institution under the program shall be revoked or denied. Furthermore, the program shall conduct an out-of-cycle review of such an institution.

PROTECT Immigration Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Protecting the Rights Of Towns against federal Enforcement contrary to Constitutional Tenets for Immigration Act of 2021 or the PROTECT Immigration Act of 2021 This bill establishes that the authority to investigate, apprehend, or detain aliens for the purposes of immigration enforcement is limited to immigration officers and authorized Department of Homeland Security employees, except when such authority is provided to other individuals under specified statutes. Specifically, this restriction does not apply in certain instances involving (1) an actual or imminent mass influx of aliens, (2) persons bringing in and harboring aliens in violation of immigration laws, or (3) an alien illegally present in the United States who had previously left or was deported after being convicted of a felony. The bill repeals the authority allowing the Department of Justice to enter into agreements authorizing state or local government employees to perform immigration enforcement functions.

Families Belong Together Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Families Belong Together Act This bill provides various immigration benefits for eligible alien parents (or legal guardians) and minor children who were separated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021. Generally, to be an eligible parent or minor child under this bill, the alien must not be inadmissible for certain crime- or security-related grounds, though DHS may waive certain grounds for humanitarian or public interest reasons. Furthermore, an eligible child who was separated as a minor remains eligible for the immigration benefits after reaching majority. DHS must grant humanitarian parole into the United States to an eligible alien who requests such parole, regardless of whether the alien is physically present in the United States. An eligible alien in the United States may apply for lawful permanent resident status. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services shall grant a qualifying alien's lawful permanent resident status within 30 days of receiving the alien's application. An alien who receives lawful permanent resident status under this bill shall be eligible for benefits and services that are available to an alien who is admitted as a refugee. Certain annual numerical limitations shall not apply to aliens who receive lawful permanent resident status under this bill. If an alien seeks judicial review of a denial of an application for lawful permanent resident status under this bill, the Department of Justice shall appoint counsel to represent that alien upon request.

Legacy Roads and Trails Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Legacy Roads and Trails Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the Forest Service Legacy Roads and Trails Remediation Program. Specifically, under the program, the Forest Service, taking into account predicted changes in weather and hydrology related to global climate change, shall carry out storm damage risk reduction, including deferred maintenance, repairs, road and trail relocation, and associated activities on roads, trails, tunnels, and bridges under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service; restore waterways and natural migration of fish and other aquatic species by removing or replacing culverts or other infrastructure from such waterways; and decommission unneeded roads. In implementing the program, the Forest Service shall give priority to projects that protect or restore water quality and watershed function; a watershed that supplies a public drinking water system; the habitat of a threatened, endangered, or sensitive fish or wildlife species, or a species of conservation concern; or a watershed for which the Forest Service has completed a watershed protection and restoration action plan. The Forest Service shall identify the minimum road system needed for each unit of the National Forest System. USDA shall review, and may revise, an identification of the minimum road system in accordance with federal regulations relating to the administration of the forest transportation system.

American Border Rescue Plan Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

American Border Rescue Plan Act This bill establishes that funds made available for certain COVID-19 recovery programs may also be available to eligible law enforcement agencies for border enforcement-related purposes. To be eligible to receive such funds, a law enforcement agency must be (1) located in a state with an international border, and (2) involved in an active and ongoing U.S. Customs and Border Protection operation coordinated through a sector office.

Child Care for Working Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Child Care for Working Families Act This bill provides funds and otherwise revises certain child care and early learning programs for low- to moderate-income families. Specifically, the bill provides funds for the Child Care and Development Block Grant program and reestablishes it as a child care and development assistance program. The bill also allocates program funds for states to provide services and supports to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities. Further, the bill revises the program to require each state to create a tiered and transparent system for measuring the quality of child care providers, which must include evidence-based standards and payment rates that are based on a certain cost estimation model; ensure that copayments are based on a sliding scale and that no family receiving assistance pays more than 7% of its household income on child care; and use quality child care amounts for certain activities, such as increasing the supply of child care providers. The bill also provides funds and establishes grants for states to create preschool programs for low- to moderate-income children between the ages of three and five years. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must make grants to Head Start agencies to provide children with access to full-school-year and full-school-day services, provide access to additional service hours for migrant and seasonal agencies, or enhance the quality of existing services. Finally, the bill requires, and provides funds for, HHS to assist Head Start agencies with ensuring their teachers and staff are paid a living wage.

Bipartisan Border Solutions Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Bipartisan Border Solutions Act of 2021 This bill establishes regional processing centers for conducting immigration-related activities and addresses other related issues. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall establish at least four regional processing centers along the southern border in high-traffic Border Patrol sectors. These centers shall conduct processing activities such as criminal history checks, medical screenings, asylum interviews and credible fear determinations, and short-term detention of individuals. The bill imposes various requirements, such as requiring the centers to (1) allow nongovernmental entities access to detained individuals to provide humanitarian or legal assistance, and (2) provide detained aliens access to legal counsel for certain asylum proceedings. The bill also requires DHS and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop pilot programs to improve asylum decisions, credible fear determinations, access to counsel, and case management of aliens awaiting asylum hearings or decisions. DOJ shall, to the greatest extent practicable, prioritize removal cases involving aliens apprehended while entering the United States during an irregular migration influx. Before placing an unaccompanied alien child with an individual, the Department of Health and Human Services must conduct a criminal background check of each adult member of that individual's household. An alien child may not be placed in a household where an individual has been convicted of certain crimes, including offenses involving sex or domestic violence. The bill also makes it a crime to make a materially false statement or knowingly use a false document to obtain custody of an unaccompanied alien child.

PROTECT Immigration Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Protecting the Rights Of Towns against federal Enforcement contrary to Constitutional Tenets for Immigration Act or the PROTECT Immigration Act This bill establishes that the authority to investigate, apprehend, or detain aliens for the purposes of immigration enforcement is limited to immigration officers and authorized Department of Homeland Security employees, except when such authority is provided to other individuals under specified statutes. Specifically, this restriction does not apply in certain instances involving (1) an actual or imminent mass influx of aliens, (2) persons bringing in and harboring aliens in violation of immigration laws, or (3) an alien illegally present in the United States who had previously left or was deported after being convicted of a felony. The bill repeals the authority allowing the Department of Justice to enter into agreements authorizing state or local government employees to perform immigration enforcement functions.

Child Care for Working Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Child Care for Working Families Act This bill provides funds and otherwise revises certain child care and early learning programs for low- to moderate-income families. Specifically, the bill provides funds for the Child Care and Development Block Grant program and reestablishes it as a child care and development assistance program. The bill also allocates program funds for states to provide services and supports to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities. Further, the bill revises the program to require each state to create a tiered and transparent system for measuring the quality of child care providers, which must include evidence-based standards and payment rates that are based on a certain cost estimation model; ensure that copayments are based on a sliding scale and that no family receiving assistance pays more than 7% of its household income on child care; and use quality child care amounts for certain activities, such as increasing the supply of child care providers. The bill also provides funds and establishes grants for states to create preschool programs for low- to moderate-income children between the ages of three and five years. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must make grants to Head Start agencies to provide children with access to full-school-year and full-school-day services, provide access to additional service hours for migrant and seasonal agencies, or enhance the quality of existing services. Finally, the bill requires, and provides funds for, HHS to assist Head Start agencies with ensuring their teachers and staff are paid a living wage.

Finish the Wall Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2021

Finish the Wall Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume activities related to the construction of a barrier system along the U.S.-Mexico border and addresses other border-related issues. DHS must resume all such construction activities that were planned or underway prior to January 20, 2021. DHS must also expend all funds appropriated or explicitly obligated since October 1, 2016, for construction of this barrier system. DHS may not cancel contracts for activities related to such construction entered into on or before January 20, 2021. Furthermore, within 14 days of this bill's enactment, DHS must certify to Congress that U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities that process adults taken into custody at the border are fully compliant with certain laws related to the collection of DNA. (Among other things, these laws allow for the collection of DNA samples from non-U.S. persons detained under U.S. authority.)

Illegal Alien NICS Alert Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2021

Illegal Alien NICS Alert Act This bill requires the national instant criminal background check system to automatically notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and relevant state and local law enforcement agencies when the system indicates that a prospective firearm transferee is illegally or unlawfully in the United States.

CFRM Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2021

Cuban Family Reunification Modernization Act of 2021 or the CFRM Act of 2021 This bill establishes a program to provide immigration parole to eligible Cuban nationals for family reunification purposes. (Parole is official permission to enter and temporarily remain in the United States.) To be eligible for parole under this bill, a Cuban national must be a beneficiary of a petition for a family-sponsored immigration visa. A sponsor may apply for parole for the beneficiary before the beneficiary receives an immigration visa. An eligible beneficiary must meet certain criteria, such as passing a medical examination and background check. An individual who has committed a gross violation of internationally recognized human rights shall not be eligible for parole under this bill. Parole provided under this bill shall be for two years. An individual who receives parole may apply for work authorization. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall take reasonable measures to prioritize the parole applications where the beneficiary is (1) an individual with a terminal illness, or (2) a qualifying minor child (generally a child with a parent with a soon-to-expire immigration visa). DHS may operate an immigration processing facility at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, if the Department of Defense certifies that such a facility would not hinder the station's operations or pose a threat to national security.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 51) to provide for the admission of the State of Washington, D.C. into the Union; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1573) to clarify the rights of all persons who are held or detained at a port of entry or at any detention facility overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1333) to transfer and limit Executive Branch authority to suspend or restrict the entry of a class of aliens; and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2021

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 51) to provide for the admission of the State of Washington, D.C. into the Union; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1573) to clarify the rights of all persons who are held or detained at a port of entry or at any detention facility overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1333) to transfer and limit Executive Branch authority to suspend or restrict the entry of a class of aliens.

CCP Trade Secrets Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2021

Combating Chinese Purloining of Trade Secrets Act or the CCP Trade Secrets Act This bill increases relevant criminal penalties, imposes visa and immigration-related restrictions, and sets out other provisions to deter espionage, theft of trade secrets, and improper interference with U.S. elections by foreign persons, with a particular focus on China.

SHOTS Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2021

Saving Hypodermic Injections and Offering vaccines to Taxpayers Swiftly Act of 2021 or the SHOTS Act of 2021 This bill prohibits any alien who is not a lawful permanent resident from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine until the earlier of (1) the date when all U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents who wish to receive a vaccine have been fully vaccinated, or (2) December 31, 2021.

Ur Mendoza Jaddou, of California, to be Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, vice Lee Francis Cissna.

United States · United States Senate · 15 April 2021