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433 records in US in 2019
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2019
This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of Korean American Day, and honors the 116th anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
Emancipation National Historic Trail Act This bill designates the Emancipation National Historic Trail, which extends approximately 51 miles and follows the migration route taken by newly freed slaves and other persons of African descent from Galveston, Texas, to Houston, Texas.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
Asylum Protection Act of 2019 This bill shortens the current deadline for an asylum application from one year to 30 days from the date an asylum seeker enters the United States, and requires an applicant who arrives at a designated port of entry to begin the asylum application at the time of arrival.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
Eminent Domain Just Compensation Act This bill states that when the government seeks to obtain land or land rights essential to control or guard a U.S. land border, it may not take such land or land rights until a final judgment has been issued in a condemnation proceeding initiated under judicial process. The bill also transfers the authority to obtain such land rights from the Department of Justice to the Department of Homeland Security.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
Security and Fairness Enhancement for America Act of 2019 or the SAFE for America Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the diversity immigrant program, which makes immigrant visas available to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
Pay Our Protectors Act of 2019 This bill provides continuing appropriations for the pay and allowances of certain employees of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) who are required to work without pay during a lapse in appropriations for FY2019. The bill applies to DHS and DOJ employees who are excepted employees or performing emergency work during a lapse in FY2019 appropriations. The employees must also be officers or employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Safety Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or the Central Intelligence Agency; DOJ attorneys who prosecute criminal offenses; or DOJ immigration judges.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2019
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a program for certain individuals without lawful immigration status to apply for deferred action status, and also appropriates $25 billion for border security. Deferred action status refers to an unlawful alien whose deportation may be delayed because DHS, exercising its discretion, considers the case a low priority. Under the bill, an individual must meet certain criteria for eligibility, such as having been previously granted the status before this bill was enacted. The individual must also have been less than 31 years old on June 15, 2012, entered the United States before the age of 16, and not been convicted of a felony or significant misdemeanor, among other requirements. The bill also establishes the Border Security Trust Fund with the appropriated $25 billion. The fund shall be available for the construction of not fewer than 700 miles of reinforced fencing, additional physical barriers, access and patrol roads, and other equipment and technology related to border security. DHS shall report to Congress annually on the status of the construction and the estimated number of unlawful border crossings.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2019
Sarah's Law This bill directs U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States and has been charged with a crime that resulted in the death or serious bodily injury of another person. ICE shall make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the identity of any victims of the crimes for which such alien was charged or convicted. It shall provide the victim, or the closest living relative of a deceased victim, with information about such alien, including name, date of birth, nationality, immigration status, criminal history, and a description of any related removal efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2019
Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a visa waiver program for nationals of certain countries to enter the U.S. Virgin Islands. Countries that are member or associate members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), such as the Bahamas or Barbados, may be part of the visa waiver program. The government of the U.S. Virgin Islands may request additional countries be added to the program. An individual entering under the waiver program shall be a nonimmigrant visitor to the U.S. Virgin Islands for business or pleasure, and may stay for no longer than 30 days. Such an individual shall waive the right to appeal an immigration officer's determination of admissibility, and also waive the right to appeal a removal decision. DHS may implement the waiver program as to a country if it determines that it would not pose a welfare, safety, or security threat. DHS shall monitor the waiver program, and shall suspend the program as to any country if it determines that an unacceptable number of individuals from that country are remaining unlawfully or unlawfully entering other parts of the United States, seeking asylum or withholding of removal, or for other good cause.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2019
Kate's Law or the Establishing Mandatory Minimums for Illegal Reentry Act of 2019 This bill imposes a mandatory minimum five-year prison term (not more than six years) upon removed aliens who unlawfully reenter the United States. The bill also imposes mandatory minimum prison terms upon removed aliens convicted of certain serious crimes, including three or more misdemeanors involving drugs or an aggravated felony as defined by the immigration law.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2019
Pay Our Protectors Act This bill provides appropriations to pay the salaries and expenses of certain federal employees who are working during the lapse in appropriations that began on or about December 22, 2018, and resulted in a partial government shutdown. The bill applies to employees of the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, and the E-Verify program.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2019
Secure Accountability for Emigres and Refugees Act of 2019 or the SAFER Act of 2019 This bill establishes additional security screening requirements for aliens seeking refugee status if they are nationals of Iraq or Syria, are stateless individuals whose last habitual residence was in one of those countries, or have been in either country since March 1, 2011. The Department of Homeland Security shall ensure that such an individual has passed a lie detector test; has submitted biometric information, including DNA, which shall be used to ensure that the individual has no known history of engaging in terrorist activity; and does not pose a national security threat, based on a background check which includes review of the individual's Internet postings.
United States · United States Congress · 8 January 2019
WALL Act of 2019 This bill appropriates $25 billion for the construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. The amount shall remain available until expended. As offsets to the spending, this bill restricts the child tax credit, earned income credits, and lifetime learning credits to those with social security numbers and not prohibited from employment in the United States. Also, individuals who file taxes using an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) instead of a social security number shall pay a fee ($300 times the number of persons on the tax return issued an ITIN). The bill restricts eligibility for certain federally-funded benefits, including unemployment compensation, supplemental nutrition assistance, and housing benefits, to those with eligibility to work in the United States. Agencies administering such benefits shall use the E-Verify program to confirm the eligibility of applicants for such benefits. This bill also sets fines for aliens who improperly enter the United States or overstay their visas.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2019
People's Border Wall Fund Act This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to accept gifts of money to plan, design, construct, or maintain a barrier along the U.S-Mexico border. Treasury shall establish the Border Wall Fund and website for that purpose. Treasury shall also provide public outreach to educate the public about the fund's existence. The money deposited in the fund shall be appropriated to the Department of Homeland Security for the planning, design, construction, or maintenance of such a border barrier, and may not be used for any other purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 4 January 2019
Legal Workforce Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after and to replace the E-Verify system, which allows employers and recruiters to verify the immigration status of individuals. The bill also mandates the use of such a system, where currently only some employers, such as those with federal contracts, are required to use E-Verify. The bill specifies documents that can establish an individual's identity and employment authorization. During the period starting when a job offer is made until three business days after hiring, the individual must attest to his or her employment authorization, and the employer or recruiter must attest that it has examined the individual's required documents. Employers shall reverify certain types of employees who were not previously verified using E-verify. The Social Security Administration shall notify employees if their Social Security number has been used multiple times in an unusual manner. DHS shall establish programs for blocking and suspending misused numbers. Employers that are required to use the verification system shall not be liable for any employment-related action based on a good-faith reliance on the information from the system. The bill establishes a phased-in participation deadline for different categories of employers, including agricultural employers. The bill increases civil penalties related to hiring individuals without work authorization. It also preempts state laws relating to hiring and employment eligibility verification, but states may use their authority of business licensing to penalize employers for failing to comply with the bill's provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Baseball Diplomacy Act This bill waives various embargo and immigration restrictions in order to allow Cuban nationals to enter the United States to play organized professional baseball. U.S. embargo authority may not regulate or prohibit various transactions by or on behalf of such a Cuban national, nor may the individual be prohibited from returning to Cuba with the earnings made from playing professional baseball. The President's authority to bar an alien whose entry is deemed to be detrimental to U.S. interests may not be used to deny a visa to a Cuban national entering to play baseball. Such an individual may obtain a visa to remain in the United States only for the duration of the baseball season. The visa need not be renewed for reentry into the United States during the term of a contract between the individual and the team for which the individual played in the preceding season.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Act This bill makes a state or local government ineligible for federal financial assistance for a minimum of one year if it restricts or prohibits an agency or official from (1) communicating with the responsible federal immigration agency information regarding an individual's citizenship or immigration status, or (2) maintaining or exchanging information about an individual's status. Such governmental entities are known as sanctuary cities or jurisdictions. The bill restores assistance eligibility upon a Department of Justice (DOJ) determination that the jurisdiction no longer restricts or prohibits such access. DOJ shall determine each year which state or local jurisdictions are not in compliance with immigration requirements and report such determination to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
This bill grants exclusive jurisdiction to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia over the following: (1) cases arising under the immigration laws, or (2) claims by foreign nationals challenging an order of removal or another action authorized under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
This joint resolution provides continuing FY2019 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the earlier of February 8, 2019, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations legislation. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and ends the partial DHS shutdown that began on December 22, 2018, because the existing CR expired and the FY2019 DHS appropriations bill has not been enacted. The CR also compensates DHS employees furloughed as a result of any lapse in appropriations that began on or about December 22, 2018, and ended upon the enactment of this joint resolution; reimburses or compensates certain states, federal grantees, and furloughed state employees for the lapse in DHS appropriations; and ratifies and approves certain obligations incurred in anticipation of the appropriations made and the authority granted by this joint resolution. Additionally, the CR has the effect of extending through February 8, 2019, several immigration programs and authorities that were extended in prior CRs and expired on December 21, 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Border Wall Trust Fund Act This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to accept gifts of money for constructing, designing, or maintaining a barrier on the U.S.-Mexico border. Treasury shall establish the Border Wall Trust Fund to store the funds and a public website to receive such gifts. Such funds shall be appropriated for the border barrier and may not be used for any other purpose. The Department of Homeland Security shall provide for a commemorative display recognizing individuals who contributed to the Trust Fund. The display shall be part of the border barrier.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Fund and Complete the Border Wall Act This bill establishes funding for a U.S.-Mexico border barrier and revises how border patrol agents are compensated for overtime. The Department of the Treasury shall set up an account for funding the design, construction, and maintenance of the barrier. The funds are appropriated only for that purpose and for vehicles and equipment for border patrol agents. For each fiscal year, financial assistance to a country shall be reduced by $2,000 for each citizen or national of that country apprehended for illegally entering the United States through its southern border. The reduced amount shall be transferred to the border barrier account. The Department of State may opt not to reduce amounts appropriated to Mexico for various military and law enforcement-related activities. This bill establishes a 5% fee on foreign remittance transfers and increases the fee for the arrival/departure I-94 form for various aliens entering the United States, with part of the fees to go into the border barrier account. By December 31, 2019, DHS shall (1) take all actions necessary, including constructing barriers, to prevent illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico barrier; and (2) achieve operational control over all U.S. international borders. The bill changes how border patrol agents receive overtime pay when working up to 100 hours in a two-week period. For hours worked above 80, an agent shall receive at least 150% of the agent's regular hourly rate.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Protect American Taxpayers and Secure Border Act This bill prohibits using taxpayer funds to build a barrier intended to impede travel between Mexico and the United States, requiring such funds to come from the government of Mexico. It also authorizes the Department of Justice to appoint 100 additional immigration judges. The Department of Homeland Security shall take the actions necessary to ensure that displaced persons receive the needed humanitarian assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Buy a Brick, Build the Wall Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to accept gifts of money for designing, constructing, or maintaining a barrier on the U.S. and Mexico border. Treasury shall establish a trust fund and website for that purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Reentry and Reunification Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to admit certain aliens for lawful permanent residence, if the alien is the spouse, parent, or guardian of a U.S. citizen. Qualifying aliens shall be those who were removed from the United States before the bill's enactment, or subject to a removal order or in removal proceedings on the bill's enactment date. A qualifying alien shall also (1) be of good moral character; (2) not be deportable or inadmissible for various grounds, including those related to health or having been convicted of certain crimes; (3) not have participated in the persecution of any person on account of characteristics such as race, religion, or nationality; and (4) not have been convicted for a crime under federal or state law where the maximum sentence was more than one year. DHS may waive the requirement relating to a conviction for a state or federal crime for humanitarian, family unity, or public interest purposes. For an alien subject to a removal order or under removal proceedings, the alien must have been continuously physically present in the United States for the four years before the bill's enactment date.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Visa Overstay Enforcement Act of 2019 This bill imposes various penalties on aliens who overstay a visa or lawful immigration status. An alien who overstays shall be fined or imprisoned for up to six months, or both. Such an individual may not be admitted into the United States for 5 years, and may not be granted a visa for 10 years. For subsequent offenses, the alien shall be fined or imprisoned for up to two years, or both, and shall not be admitted into the United States or granted a visa. The Department of Homeland Security shall make case-by-case exceptions for aliens who overstay due to medical necessity, public safety, or national security reasons.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Terrorist Deportation Act of 2019 This bill establishes that aliens identified in the terrorist screening database, except for permanent residents, shall be deportable and inadmissible into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may temporarily waive the inadmissibility of such an alien if it is in the national security interests of the United States. DHS shall grant such a waiver only with the unanimous concurrence of the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Department of State. An alien identified in the terrorist screening database shall be ineligible for various immigration benefits, including asylum, withholding or cancellation of removal, voluntary departure, or adjustment of status. DHS shall determine on an expedited basis the removal of an alien identified in the terrorist screening database, if the alien has not received a waiver and does not have permanent residence status. The alien shall be entitled to various protections, including the privilege of representation by counsel and judicial review.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Birthright Citizenship Act of 2019 This bill limits birthright citizenship by redefining what it means to be "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States. Currently, a person born in the United States and subject to U.S. jurisdiction is entitled to citizenship. Under the bill, a person is subject to U.S. jurisdiction if he or she is born to a parent who is (1) a U.S. citizen or national, (2) a lawful permanent resident residing in the United States, or (3) an alien performing active service in the Armed Forces. The bill does not affect the citizenship or nationality status of any person born before the bill's enactment date.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Equal Protection for American Workers Act This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from granting work authorization to an alien who has been determined in a valid immigration proceeding to have been at any time unlawfully present in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act This bill makes aliens associated with criminal gangs inadmissible for entry into the United States and deportable, and establishes procedures related to designating groups with criminal gang status. An alien shall be inadmissible if a consular officer, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or the Department of Justice knows or has reason to believe that the individual is or was a criminal gang member, or has participated or aided such a group's illegal activities. An alien who is or was a member of such a gang, or has participated or aided such a group's illegal activities, shall be deportable. Such individuals shall be subject to mandatory detention, shall not be eligible for asylum, temporary protected status, or special immigrant juvenile visas and shall not be eligible for parole unless they are assisting the government in a law enforcement matter. The bill defines a criminal gang as a group of five or more persons (1) where one of its primary purposes is the commission of specified criminal offenses and the members of which engage or have engaged within the past five years in a continuing series of such offenses, or (2) that has been designated as a criminal gang by DHS. The bill establishes procedures for DHS to designate a group such status, including notification to Congress, publication in the Federal Register, and an opportunity for the group to petition for administrative and judicial review.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Grant's Law This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to detain any alien found to be unlawfully present in the United States and arrested for various crimes that would render the alien deportable or inadmissible. The bill transfers release authority from DOJ to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS may release the alien to an appropriate authority for proceedings related to the arrest, but DHS must resume custody for any period that the alien is not in such authority's custody. If the alien is not convicted of crimes for which the alien was arrested, DHS must continue to detain the alien until removal proceedings are completed. DHS must complete the removal proceedings within 90 days.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
Better Agriculture Resources Now Act or the BARN Act This bill revises the H-2A visa program for temporary nonimmigrant agricultural workers. It moves administration of the program from the Department of Labor to the Department of Agriculture, and eliminates the requirement that employers hire any qualified U.S. applicants until 50% of the time period of the H-2A worker's contract has elapsed. The bill also revises requirements for employer-provided housing or housing allowances for H-2A workers, including standards for such accommodations. The employer shall request an inspection of the housing to certify that it meets the required standards. Aliens admittted as H2-A workers who overstay their visas are barred from the program for five years. Aliens admitted on the basis of fraud or who commit certain crimes are barred permanently. Employers who knowingly hire H-2A workers who overstay their visas or employers who engage in fraud or misrepresentation shall be barred from the program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2019
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should redirect foreign assistance to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras away from the central governments of those countries and towards local governmental, private sector, and civil society entities that are addressing the causes of illegal immigration into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 January 2019
Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act This bill modifies provisions related to the treatment of refugees, including by (1) directing the Department of State to establish overseas training programs to offer English and work orientation training to admitted refugees, (2) providing lawful permanent resident status to certain admitted refugees, and (3) directing the Office of Refugee Resettlement to provide grants to national resettlement agencies to operate a case management system to assist qualified individuals in accessing services and benefits.