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51 records in US in 2017
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2017
Knowledgeable Innovators and Worthy Investors Act or the KIWI Act This bill makes New Zealand nationals eligible to enter the United States as nonimmigrant traders and investors as provided for under the Immigration and Nationality Act if New Zealand provides reciprocal nonimmigrant treatment to U.S. nationals.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2017
Notario Victim Relief Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the time limit on the filing of a motion to reopen a removal proceeding if the basis of the motion is fraud, negligence, misrepresentation, or extortion by, or the attempted, promised, or actual practice of law without authorization on the part of, a representative.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2017
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017 This bill specifies that Community Oriented Policing Services program grants to hire school resource officers may also be used to train such officers to recognize and respond to signs of human trafficking. It reauthorizes through FY2022 the Creating Hope Through Outreach, Options, Services, and Education for Children and Youth (i.e., CHOOSE Children & Youth) grant program. The Department of Justice (DOJ) may bring a civil action to stop or prevent criminal offenses, including trafficking, child sexual exploitation and abuse, or sexual abuse. The bill revises and expands the functions and duties of the National Center on Missing and Exploited Children. It broadens the authority of the U.S. Secret Service to provide forensic and investigative assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies. The bill reauthorizes through FY2021 several trafficking prevention and law enforcement programs, including for foreign victim assistance. The bill formally establishes the Office of Victim Assistance within Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It makes 1% of the Crime Victims Fund available for direct assistance services for crime victims. The bill directs certain federal agencies to periodically improve human trafficking training programs for employees. DOJ must establish a victim screening protocol for use during anti-trafficking law enforcement operations. It prioritizes, with respect to juvenile and family court grants, programs that improve the judicial response to children vulnerable to human trafficking. This bill establishes the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2017
Counter Terrorist Network Act This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to expand the duties of the National Targeting Center of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Specifically, the center must collaborate with appropriate agencies to enhance border security through such operations as those that seek to disrupt and dismantle networks that pose terrorist or other threats. In addition, the bill authorizes the CBP to assign its personnel to other appropriate agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2017
Border Security and Deferred Action Recipient Relief Act This bill establishes the Border Security Trust Fund, which shall make funds available for: (1) specified border fencing and wall procurement, construction, and improvements in Texas and California; and (2) border wall planning activities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may cancel removal of, and grant lawful permanent resident status on a conditional basis for up to 10 years to, qualifying resident aliens who: (1) have been continuously physically present in the United States since January 1, 2012; (2) were under 16 years old on the initial date of U.S. entry or, if 18 years or older when filing under this bill, have met certain educational, employment, or military requirements; (3) are not inadmissible or deportable on criminal, security, terrorism, or other grounds; (4) have not participated in persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion; and (5) have not been convicted of specified federal or state offenses. Such an alien may subsequently adjust to permanent resident status and become eligible for naturalization. DHS may designate as a criminal gang or cartel a group, club, organization, or association comprised of five or more individuals that has as a primary purpose the commission of one or more specified criminal offenses and whose members engage in, or, during the five years immediately preceding the most recent commission of such an offense, have engaged in, a continuing series of such offenses. The bill makes persons associated with gangs or cartels inadmissible or deportable. DHS shall complete the construction of roads along the southern border to facilitate U.S. Customs and Border Protection access.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2017
Security, Enforcement, and Compassion United in Reform Efforts Act or the SECURE Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to achieve situational awareness and operational control of the U.S. southern border and to deter and detect illegal activity in high traffic areas. The bill authorizes National Guard and Department of Defense support to secure such border. DHS shall establish: (1) a National Border Security Advisory Committee, (2) the Integrated Border Enforcement Team program, (3) Tunnel Task Forces, and (4) a biometric exit data system to complete the required integrated biometric entry and exit data system. The bill provides for: (1) additional border control and immigration personnel, (2) reimbursement to state and local prosecutors for federally initiated immigration-related criminal cases, (3) expansion of biometric technology and data, and (4) immigration detention capacity increases. Operation Stonegarden is established in DHS. DHS shall reinstate and operate the Secure Communities immigration enforcement program. DHS may construct new ports of entry along the northern and southern borders. The bill revises provisions regarding: (1) alien apprehension and detention, (2) nonimmigrant admissions, (3) parole authority, (4) sanctuary jurisdictions, (5) unaccompanied alien children, (6) human smuggling and trafficking, (7) drug trafficking and crimes of violence committed by illegal aliens, (8) visa and passport security, (9) background checks, (10) status adjustment, (11) naturalization, (12) asylum, (13) terrorists, (14) expedited removal, (15) immigration-related crimes and penalties, and (16) DHS positions in U.S. territories.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2017
Stopping Lawless Actions of Politicians (SLAP) Act of 2017 This bill amends the federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both—on a state or local official who has custody of an individual and knowingly ignores a request from the federal government to take custody of the individual, if the requesting authority has designated that individual as a violator of immigration laws.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2017
Preserving Opportunities for Childhood Arrivals Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide renewable 10-year conditional protected status for an alien who: (1) was in deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status as of September 5, 2017, and has been continuously present and residing in the United States since receiving such status, (2) has not been convicted of a violent misdemeanor, (3) is admissible and not deportable, and (4) files an application and pays a registration fee. An individual in such status: (1) may work, (2) may apply for lawful permanent resident status, and (3) is ineligible for certain federal public benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2017
Protecting America and American Workers Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the diversity immigrant program effective on the first day of the first fiscal year after the date on which the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security jointly determine that such immigrant visas are no longer necessary to offset certain status adjustments under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Until such time and effective on October 1, 2018, the annual number of diversity program visas is reduced from 55,000 to 5,000. Beginning in FY2019, 8,000 of such former diversity visas shall be allocated annually to each of three employment-based immigrant categories for a total of 24,000 additional visas each year.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2017
No Ban on Refugees Act This bill prohibits any U.S. government agency from preventing a refugee from entering the United States based on the refugee's country of origin.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2017
Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency Act or the SECURE Act This bill permits a qualifying alien who is not inadmissible or deportable under certain criminal or security grounds or who did not participate in persecution to apply for adjustment to lawful permanent resident status if such alien: (1) is in temporary protected status (TPS), (2) held TPS status, (3) qualified for TSP status at the time of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) last TPS designation, or (4) is a national of a foreign country that was at any time a TPS-designated country. TPS designation permits eligible nationals of designated counties affected by armed conflict or natural disasters to temporarily reside and work in the United States. An alien who has applied for status adjustment may work while the application is pending. The spouse, domestic partner, child, or unmarried son or daughter of an alien who has adjusted to lawful permanent resident status may also adjust to such status subject to certain conditions. An unmarried son or daughter must additionally establish physical presence in the United States for at least one year. An alien subject to a final order of removal may not be removed if the alien has a pending status adjustment application or is prima facie eligible to file an application and indicates an intention to do so. An alien who raises the defense of status adjustment eligibility may not be removed unless DHS has already denied the alien's application.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2017
Safe Emergency Response Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to suspend immigration enforcement operations and initiatives, including initiatives associated with evacuations or sheltering and the use of checkpoints within an area for which the President has declared a major disaster or an emergency. State and local immigration enforcement participation, including lawful detentions of non-citizens, shall be suspended except in cases specifically identified by DHS and communicated to the state or locality that pose an urgent and individualized threat to public safety or national security. With respect to persons in state or local detention during a major disaster or an emergency, DHS is urged to support state and local law enforcement agencies to prioritize the safety needs of their communities and individual detainees.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2017
Act to Sustain the Protection of Immigrant Residents Earned through TPS Act of 2017 or the ASPIRE-TPS Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide six-year, renewable protected status for an alien who: (1) as of January 1, 2017, had been granted or was eligible for deferred enforced departure or temporary protected status, (2) has continuously resided in the United States for five years, (3) is admissible as an immigrant, and (4) registers as required. Aliens may work while in protected status. Protected status shall be withdrawn if an alien was not entitled to such status or fails to register with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) every 36 months. Absences from the United States of one year or less shall not break residence continuity. Absences longer than one year shall break residence continuity unless the alien establishes that he or she did not abandon U.S. residency. DHS shall adjust the status of an alien to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence if the alien: (1) meets certain eligibility requirements; (2) establishes that removal would result in extreme hardship to the alien or to the alien's U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child; and (3) submits an application.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2017
A merican Labor, Wages, and Sovereignty Act or the American LAWS Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) eliminate the diversity immigrant program, and (2) reduce the worldwide fiscal year level for family-sponsored immigration. Legal Workforce Act The bill revises the employment eligibility verification process. It also increases employer penalties for the unlawful hiring of illegal aliens. The bill establishes a nonimmigrant alien visa for the parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old. The Department of Homeland Security shall establish: (1) an employment eligibility verification system (EEVS), patterned after the E-Verify system; (2) programs to block the use of misused social security numbers and suspend the use of social security account numbers of identity fraud victims; and (3) at least two Identity Authentication Employment Eligibility Verification pilot programs using distinct technologies to provide employers with identity authentication and employment verification of new employees.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2017
Allow State Sovereignty Upon Refugee Entry (ASSURE) Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to set forth requirements for programs for domestic resettlement of, and assistance to, refugees. Before initial placement or resettlement of a refugee in a state, and before any assistance is provided to a refugee in a state, the Office of Refugee Resettlement must submit to the state legislature, and the state must enact, a plan covering that refugee. The Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shall ensure that every Identity History Summary provided by the FBI includes: (1) the subject's immigration or citizenship status, and (2) any violation of immigration laws that has been adjudicated regarding the subject.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2017
Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act of 2017 or the CLEAR Act of 2017 This bill reaffirms the existing inherent authority of states and localities to assist in the enforcement of immigration laws by detaining or transferring aliens to federal custody. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall provide the National Crime Information Center of the Department of Justice with information about aliens in violation of immigration laws. States and localities must provide DHS with specified information about such aliens. DHS shall: (1) provide grants to states and localities to assist them in enforcing immigration laws, (2) construct or acquire increased space for detention facilities, (3) take illegal aliens into custody within 48 hours after receiving a request from a state or locality, (4) establish a training manual for state and local law enforcement on the enforcement of immigration laws, and (5) continue and expand the Institutional Removal Program for identifying removable criminal aliens in federal and state correctional facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2017
Protecting UACs Through Enhanced Sponsor Vetting Act of 2017 This bill establishes additional sponsor vetting requirements for placement of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) who are in federal custody because of their immigration status. UACs are children under the age of 18 with no lawful immigration status who either have no parent or legal guardian in the United States, or have no parent or legal guardian in the United States available to provide care and physical custody. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended to require the Department of Health and Human Service's Office of Refugee Resettlement, as part of its UAC placement determinations, to: notify the governor and the chief executive of the county in which a sponsor resides of a prospective placement; include the Federal Bureau of Investigation and state and local law enforcement officials in consultations regarding UAC adherence to hearing requirements and safety from criminal or exploitive elements, including protection from members of a transnational criminal organization. Prior to making a placement determination the office shall: coordinate with the Department of Justice to use the Next Generation Identification System to check the criminal background of prospective sponsors; and consult with federal, state, and local law enforcement entities. The office shall also: notify state and local governments of a placement determination, including notifying the governor and mayor of the locality in which the sponsor resides; and provide the Terrorist Screening Center with any information uncovered during the placement process that establishes the child's or sponsor's membership or affiliation with a transnational criminal organization.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2017
This bill prohibits any federal agency funds, resources, or fees from being used to implement or enforce Executive Order 13780 and the presidential proclamation of September 24, 2017. Among the order's major provisions are restrictions on the entry of nationals from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen and additional limitations on refugee admissions to the United States. The proclamation revised such order to include entry restrictions on nationals from Chad, North Korea, and Venezuela, and remove such restrictions on nationals of Sudan. The proclamation additionally provides for enhanced U.S. vetting capacities.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2017
Visa Lottery Repeal Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the diversity immigrant visa program.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2017
American Promise Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit an alien who is in temporary protected status (TPS) or deferred enforced departure (DED) status to apply for legal permanent resident status if such alien: is eligible for permanent resident status, applies for adjustment within three years, was granted or was eligible for TPS or DED status on or before October 1, 2017, and has been continuously physically present in the U.S. for at least three years. (TPS designations permit eligible nationals of designated counties affected by armed conflict or natural disasters to temporarily reside and work in the United States. DED designations permit eligible nationals of presidentially-designated counties to be temporarily not subject to removal from the United States.) The bill: waives certain grounds of inadmissibility; authorizes the waiver of the continuous physical presence requirement if an alien's removal would cause extreme hardship to the alien or to the alien's spouse, children, parents, or domestic partner; authorizes an alien who has applied for status adjustment to work; and authorizes an alien who has been ordered removed or granted voluntary departure to apply for status adjustment. An alien's spouse, parent, or unmarried child shall have his or her status adjusted to legal permanent resident if such person is eligible for status adjustment and applies within three years. Aliens from countries that no longer have valid TPS designation and aliens who no longer have valid DED status are not included in this bill unless such TSP or DED status expires on or after January 1, 2017.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2017
Broadband Connections for Rural Opportunities Program Act or the B-CROP Act This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to include grants in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides loans and loan guarantees for broadband telecommunications services in rural areas. In making grants, loans, or loan guarantees under the program, USDA must give the highest priority to applicants that offer to provide broadband service to the greatest proportion of unserved rural households or rural households that do not have the minimum acceptable level of residential broadband service. USDA must then give priority to projects to serve rural communities that: have fewer than 10,000 permanent residents, are experiencing out-migration, have a high percentage of low-income residents, and are isolated from other significant population centers. A grant may not exceed 50% of the development cost of the project. USDA may increase the limit to 75% for projects that serve a remote or low-income area that does not have access to broadband service from any provider. USDA must: (1) provide technical assistance and training to entities that are eligible for the loans, loan guarantees, or grants; and (2) use a specified portion of the appropriations provided for the program for this purpose. The bill sets forth reporting requirements for recipients of the grants, loans, or loan guarantees.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2017
Sustainable Fishing Workforce Protection Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a nonimmigrant renewable three-year visa (D-3 visa) for alien crewmembers employed on Hawaii-based longline fishing vessels. The bill sets forth employer petition requirements and responsibilities, including requiring employers to enter into enforceable labor agreements with each approved D-3 alien prior to a fishing voyage. The Coast Guard shall perform dockside examinations of ships employing D-3 aliens to ensure compliance with health and safety laws and regulations affecting seamen.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2017
Sustainable Fishing Workforce Protection Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a nonimmigrant renewable three-year visa (D-3 visa) for alien crewmembers employed on Hawaii-based longline fishing vessels. The bill sets forth employer petition requirements and responsibilities, including requiring employers to enter into enforceable labor agreements with each approved D-3 alien prior to a fishing voyage. The Coast Guard shall perform dockside examinations of ships employing D-3 aliens to ensure compliance with health and safety laws and regulations affecting seamen.
United States · United States House of Representatives · 1 November 2017
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2017
Small and Seasonal Business Relief Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt returning workers from the nonimmigrant H-2B visa (temporary nonagricultural services) annual numerical limitations: (1) through FY2018 for those individuals already counted toward such limitation in FY2016 or FY2017, and (2) during the next fiscal year for those individuals already counted toward such limitation in FY2018 or FY2019. Such amendment shall take effect as if enacted on October 1, 2017.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2017
Extending Status Protection for Eligible Refugees with Established Residency Act of 2017 or the ESPERER Act of 2017 This bill permits a qualifying national of Haiti, Nicaragua, El Salvador, or Honduras who is in temporary protected status (TPS) to apply for adjustment to lawful permanent resident status before January 1, 2021. TPS designation permits eligible nationals of designated countries affected by armed conflict or natural disasters to temporarily reside and work in the United States. The spouse, child, or unmarried son or daughter of an alien who has adjusted to lawful permanent resident status may also adjust to such status subject to certain conditions. An alien subject to a final order of removal may seek a stay of such order based on the filing of an application for status adjustment.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2017
Protect Victims of Crime Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase from 10,000 to 40,000 the number of U visas that may be issued in a fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2017
Recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History Month in October 2017 as: (1) a testament to the advancement of Filipino Americans, and (2) a time to renew efforts toward the research and examination of history and culture so as to provide an opportunity for all people of the United States to learn more about Filipino Americans and to appreciate the historic contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2017
Agricultural Guestworker Act or the AG Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a new H-2C nonimmigrant visa for aliens having a residence in a foreign country which they have no intention of abandoning and who are coming temporarily to the United States to perform agricultural labor or services. An employer seeking to employ aliens as H-2C workers must file a petition with the Department of Homeland Security and provide required information. The maximum period of authorized status for temporary or seasonal H-2C workers is 18 months. For aliens not employed as temporary or seasonal workers, the maximum initial period is 36 months with subsequent periods of 18 months. A trust fund is established to provide a monetary incentive for H-2C workers to return to their countries of origin upon expiration of their visas. The bill establishes annual fiscal year H-2C admission limits. The bill also sets forth provisions regarding: (1) penalties for failure to pay wages or required benefits, (2) working conditions and wages, (3) admissions and extensions of stay, (4) abandonment of employment and worker replacement, (5) protection of U.S. workers, and (6) arbitration and mediation of employment-related claims of H-2C workers.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2017
This bill prohibits any federal agency funds, resources, or fees from being used to implement or enforce Executive Order 13780 and the presidential proclamation of September 24, 2017. Among the order's major provisions are restrictions on the entry of nationals from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen and additional limitations on refugee admissions to the United States. The proclamation revised such order to include entry restrictions on nationals from Chad, North Korea, and Venezuela, and remove such restrictions on nationals of Sudan. The proclamation additionally provides for enhanced U.S. vetting capacities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2017
Recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History Month as: a study of the advancement of Filipino Americans; and a time to renew efforts toward the research and examination of history and culture so as to provide an opportunity for all people of the United States to learn more about Filipino Americans, and to appreciate the historic contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2017
American Samoa Investment Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include U.S. nationals among the eligible employees of an EB-5 commercial enterprise. The EB-5 program provides an employment-based immigration preference for aliens who establish a commercial enterprise in the United States that will benefit the economy and create full-time employment for at least 10 U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2017
Border Security and Deferred Action Recipient Relief Act This bill establishes the Border Security Trust Fund, which shall make funds available for: (1) specified border fencing and wall procurement, construction, and improvements in Texas and California; and (2) border wall planning activities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may cancel removal of, and grant lawful permanent resident status on a conditional basis for up to 10 years to, qualifying resident aliens who: (1) have been continuously physically present in the United States since January 1, 2012; (2) were under 16 years old on the initial date of U.S. entry or, if 18 years or older when filing under this bill, have met certain educational, employment, or military requirements; (3) are not inadmissible or deportable on criminal, security, terrorism, or other grounds; (4) have not participated in persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion; and (5) have not been convicted of specified federal or state offenses. Such an alien may subsequently adjust to permanent resident status and become eligible for naturalization. DHS may designate as a criminal gang or cartel a group, club, organization, or association comprised of five or more individuals that has as a primary purpose the commission of one or more specified criminal offenses and whose members engage in, or, during the five years immediately preceding the most recent commission of such an offense, have engaged in, a continuing series of such offenses. The bill makes persons associated with gangs or cartels inadmissible or deportable. DHS shall complete the construction of roads along the southern border to facilitate U.S. Customs and Border Protection access.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2017
Protecting the Property Rights of Border Landowners Act This bill amends the the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as well as the Department of Justice (DOJ), to acquire by purchase or gift any interest in land near an international border deemed essential to guard U.S. boundaries or borders, and (2) prohibit DHS or DOJ from using condemnation authority to acquire land to construct a wall or other physical barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2017
Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish detention standards for each facility at which aliens in DHS custody are detained. Such standards shall provide for at least the level of detainee protections described in the American Bar Association's Civil Immigration Detention Standards. A detained individual who is injured as a result of a violation of such standards may file a claim in U.S. district court. The bill: (1) provides for facility oversight and transparency, (2) phases out the use of private detention facilities and jails for such aliens, and (3) revises procedures for detaining aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2017
Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2017 This bill amends the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Department of State to report to Congress (within 90 days and annually thereafter through 2023) on conditions in Hong Kong that are of U.S. interest. Such report shall include matters in which Hong Kong is given separate treatment under U.S. laws from that accorded to China. The State Department shall certify to Congress annually whether Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous to justify separate treatment different from that accorded to China in any new laws, agreements, treaties, or arrangements entered into between the United States and Hong Kong. The President shall identify persons responsible for: (1) the surveillance, abduction, detention, or forced confessions of certain booksellers and journalists in Hong Kong; and (2) other actions suppressing basic freedoms. The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to deny U.S. entry to identified individuals and revoke visas or other entry documentation. Entry, work, or study visa applicants who resided in Hong Kong in 2014 shall not be denied visas on the basis of the applicant's arrest or detention or other adverse government action taken as a result of participation in the nonviolent protest activities related to Hong Kong's electoral process. The President shall freeze the U.S.-based assets of identified individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2017
Startup Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to adjust to conditional permanent resident status up to 50,000 aliens who have earned a master's or doctorate degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field and permit such an alien to remain in the United States: (1) for up to one year after the expiration of the alien's student visa if the alien is searching for STEM field employment, and (2) indefinitely if the alien remains actively engaged in a STEM field. DHS may issue conditional immigrant visas to up to 75,000 qualified alien entrepreneurs. The per-country numerical limitation for employment-based visas is removed, and the limitation for family-based immigrants is increased. The Department of Commerce shall: (1) award grants to institutions of higher education to improve the commercialization and transfer of technology, (2) compile information on state laws that affect new business growth, and (3) compile information on new business formation. The Chinese Student Protection Act of 1992 is amended to eliminate the status adjustment reduction of annual Chinese immigrant visas. The Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 is amended to revise the regional innovation program. A federal or independent regulatory agency, before issuing a notice of rulemaking in connection with the issuance of a significant rule (generally, a rule that is likely to have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more), shall complete: (1) a review that analyzes the problem that the rule intends to address and its expected impact on state, local, and tribal governments and new businesses; and (2) a cost-benefit analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2017
Solution for Undocumented Children through Careers, Employment, Education, and Defending our Nation Act or the SUCCEED Act This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to cancel the removal of otherwise inadmissible or deportable aliens who entered the United States as children and grant them conditional permanent resident status. The conditional permanent resident status of such aliens shall be valid for an initial period of five years if they came to the United States before the age of 16 and have lived in the United States continuously since June 15, 2012. Such aliens must demonstrate that they were younger than age 31 on June 15, 2012, and had no lawful status in the United States. The bill imposes other requirements upon such aliens, including educational attainments, good moral character, lack of criminal history, and compliance with tax responsibilities. The bill extends conditional permanent resident status for an additional five years if an alien continues to show good moral character, has no tax liabilities, is not receiving federal benefits, has graduated from college or attended a postsecondary school, or has served in the military. The bill permits alien children to apply for the removal of conditional status after 10 years and adjust to lawful permanent residence upon a showing that they have been a conditional permanent resident for at least 10 years, have demonstrated good moral character during that period, have met other age and residency requirement, and have not abandoned residence in the United States. An alien may apply for naturalization five years after adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence under the terms of this bill. Aliens who violate the requirements of this bill or commit certain crimes are subject to expedited removal without an immigration court hearing. Aliens with conditional or lawful permanent resident status under this bill may not sponsor family members, including spouses and children, to obtain legal status in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2017
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the J-1 visa programs, specifically the Summer Work Travel, Au Pair, Camp Counselor, and Intern and Trainee programs, are vital to the U.S. economy and national interest; and (2) Congress should continue to monitor the administration of such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2017
Immigration in the National Interest Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: eliminate the diversity visa program; replace the current employment visa system with a skills-based point system; revise the worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants, including by eliminating certain family-based immigration preferences; establish a 50,000 annual limit for refugees given permanent resident status; create a nonimmigrant visa for parents of U.S. citizen children who are at least 21 years old; and establish a new visa for immigrants seeking to enter the United States to engage in a new commercial enterprise. The bill prohibits an alien from being be naturalized if his or her sponsor has not repaid the federal government for any means-tested public benefits received by the alien during the five-year period beginning on the date the alien was lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2017
Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3697) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to aliens associated with criminal gangs, and for other purposes, and providing for proceedings during the period from September 15, 2017, through September 22, 2017.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2017
Legal Workforce Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish an employment eligibility verification system (EEVS), patterned after the E-Verify system. An employer shall attest, during the verification period and under penalty of perjury, that the employer has verified that an individual is not an unauthorized alien. An individual shall attest that he or she is a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident, or an alien authorized to work in the United States. The bill establishes a phased-in EEVS participation deadline for different categories of employers, including agricultural employers. The bill requires reverification of certain groups of workers who have not been verified under E-verify. An employer may voluntarily reverify employees. Employment recruitment and referral are included within the scope of EEVS. The bill sets forth provisions regarding: (1) an employer utilizing a good faith defense, (2) preemption of state or local law, (3) employer penalties, and (4) worker remedies for EEVS errors. DHS shall establish programs to: (1) block the use of misused social security numbers, (2) suspend or limit the use of social security account numbers of identity fraud victims, and (3) permit parents or legal guardians to suspend or limit the use of a minor's social security account number or other identifying information. DHS shall establish at least two Identity Authentication Employment Eligibility Verification pilot programs using distinct technologies to provide employers with identity authentication and employment verification of enrolled new employees.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2017
Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to protect individual application information submitted to DHS after June 15, 2012, as part of a request for consideration or reconsideration for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program from disclosure to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for any purpose other than implementing such program. Such information may be shared with national security and law enforcement agencies: (1) to identify or prevent fraudulent claims, (2) for national security purposes relating to an individual application, or (3) for the investigation or prosecution of a felony not related to immigration status. DHS may not refer an individual whose case has been deferred pursuant to the DACA program to ICE, CBP, the Department of Justice, or any other law enforcement agency.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2017
Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make an alien: (1) inadmissible if a consular officer, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or the Department of Justice (DOJ) knows or has reason to believe that such person is or has been a member of a criminal gang or has participated in criminal gang activities; and (2) deportable if DHS or DOJ has such knowledge or reason to believe. A "criminal gang" is defined as an ongoing group, club, organization, or association of five or more persons (group): (1) one of the primary purposes of which 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. DHS may: (1) designate a group as a criminal gang based upon its conduct, and (2) revoke a designation for national security interests or if the group no longer conducts such criminal activities. Such designation shall be effective until revoked or judicially set aside. Congress may block or revoke a designation. A group may file a petition for revocation: (1) prior to designation, with DHS, and (2) after designation, with the U.S. Court of Appeals, DC Circuit. The bill: (1) provides for mandatory detention of alien gang members; and (2) makes alien gang members ineligible for asylum, temporary protected status, special immigrant juvenile status, and parole (unless such an alien is assisting the United States in a law enforcement matter).
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2017
Student Exchange Program Parity Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the one-year limitation on the period of time an alien may be accorded nonimmigrant student status, including Mexican and Canadian full- or part-time commuting students, to study at a public secondary school.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 2017
Save America Comprehensive Immigration Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide increased protections and eligibility for family-sponsored immigrants. The bill establishes: (1) the Board of Family-based Visa Appeals, and (2) the Task Force to Rescue Immigrant Victims of American Sex Offenders. The bill sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the Border Patrol and other law enforcement officers, including regarding personnel increases; (2) status adjustment, including an adjustment for Haitians; (3) sex offenders; (4) unfair immigration-related employment practices; (5) removal proceedings, including for removal based om criminal offenses; (6) asylee and refugee proceedings; and (7) naturalization. The Anti-Smuggling Unit within the Border Patrol is reestablished. The worldwide level of diversity immigrants is increased. Gender-based persecution is established as a grounds for refugee status. Adjustment to permanent resident is provided for certain temporary protected status persons. The bill authorizes S (witness or informant) nonimmigrant status for aliens in possession of critical reliable information concerning commercial alien smuggling or trafficking in immigration documents. The definition of "law enforcement officer" under provisions of the Federal Employees Retirement System and the Civil Service Retirement System is amended to include: (1) federal employees not otherwise covered by such term whose duties include the investigation or apprehension of suspected or convicted individuals and who are authorized to carry a firearm, and (2) Internal Revenue Service employees whose duties are primarily the collection of delinquent taxes and the securing of delinquent returns. The bill repeals: (1) provisions prohibiting government entities and officials from preventing communications with federal immigration authorities, and (2) authority permitting state personnel to carry out immigration officer functions. The fashion model H-1B visa is replaced with an O-visa.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2017
Building America's Trust Act This bill provides for strengthening the barriers along the U.S. land and maritime borders to deter illegal activity, including through U.S. Border Patrol and law enforcement enhancements and personnel increases and National Guard use. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall: (1) establish a National Border Security Advisory Committee; (2) submit a southern border threat analysis; (3) implement the Border Security Deployment Program; (4) establish a biometric exit data system; (5) reestablish the Secure Communities program immigration enforcement program; (6) expand criminal alien repatriation programs; and (7) increase visa security at high-risk posts. The Department of Agriculture may carry out livestock or plant disease prevention/eradication operations. The bill: (1) makes it a crime to unlawfully hinder immigration, border, and customs controls; (2) requires increases in immigration and law enforcement personnel and district judgeships; (3) authorizes appropriations for specified immigration purposes; and (4) requires electronic passport screening and biometric matching at airports of entry. Operation Stonegarden is established as a DHS program to provide border security grants. The Department of Justice shall provide grants for identification of victims of cross-border human smuggling. The bill revises provisions regarding: (1) apprehension and detention of aliens; (2) nonimmigrant admissions; (3) criminal alien detention and removal; (4) parole entry of aliens; (5) sanctuary jurisdictions; (6) unaccompanied alien children; (7) human trafficking, drug trafficking, criminal organizations, and money laundering; (8) terrorism and national security; (9) gangs; (10) criminal penalties, including penalties for drug trafficking and crimes committed by illegal aliens; (11) human rights violations; (12) visa/document fraud and other grounds for exclusion; (13) student and exchange visitor verification; and (14) use of immigration-related information. An alien may not be granted any immigrant status or benefits until positive background and security checks are concluded. The Department of State shall deny or revoke the passport of a person affiliated with a foreign terrorist organization.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2017
Naturalization at Training Sites Act of 2017 or the NATS Act This bill directs the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard, to establish a naturalization office with trained personnel at each initial military training site of the Armed Forces. Each military department concerned shall: (1) identify members of the Armed Forces who are not U.S. citizens and inform them of the availability of naturalization services at such offices, and (2) assign new non-citizen members of the Armed Forces to an initial military training site that has such an office. Naturalization notifications shall be completed: (1) during every stage of basic training, (2) during training for any military occupational specialty, (3) at each school of professional military education, (4) upon each duty station transfer, and (5) at any other time determined appropriate by the military department concerned. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services shall annually publish the number of members of the Armed Forces and their spouses and children who became naturalized U.S. citizens during the most recent year for which data is available, categorized by the country in which the naturalization ceremony took place.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2017
Immigrant Veterans Eligibility Tracking System Act or the I-VETS Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), upon an alien's application for an immigration benefit or the placement of such alien in an immigration enforcement proceeding, to: determine if the alien is serving, or has served, as a member of a regular or reserve component of the Armed Forces on active duty or as a member of a reserve component in an active status; and annotate every DHS immigration and naturalization record relating to such an alien to reflect such membership and to afford an opportunity to track the outcomes for each alien.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 2017
Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy Act or the RAISE Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: eliminate the diversity visa program; replace the current employment visa system with a skills-based point system; revise the worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants, including by eliminating certain family-based immigration preferences; establish a 50,000 annual limit for refugees given permanent resident status; and create a nonimmigrant visa for parents of U.S. citizen children who are at least 21 years old. The bill prohibits an alien from being be naturalized if his or her sponsor has not repaid the federal government for all means-tested public benefits received by the alien during the five-year period beginning on the date the alien was lawfully admitted for permanent residence.