Posts Tagged ‘Senate’
U.S. IMMIGRATION BILLS INTRODUCED FROM OCTOBER 2011 – DECEMBER 2011
The following is a list of important immigration bills introduced in the U.S. Senate and House between October 2011 and December 2011:
Senate:
1. Families First Immigration Enforcement Act (S. 1949) – provides for safe and humane policies and procedures pertaining to the arrest, detention, and processing of foreign nationals in immigration enforcement operations.
2. STEM Visa Act of 2011 (S. 1986) – amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to promote innovation, investment and research in the United States.
3. Irish Recognition and Encouragement Act of 2011 – IRE Act (S. 2005) – authorizes the Secretary of State to issue up to 10,500 E-3 temporary work visas per year to Irish nationals.
House:
1. H-2A Improvement Act (H.R. 3232) – includes within the H-2A visa category a foreign national coming temporarily to the U.S. to work as a sheepherder, goat herder, or dairy worker. The bill also exempts an employer from the requirement to show that the position is of a seasonal or temporary nature.
2. Haitian Emergency Life Protection Act of 2011- H.E.L.P. Act (H.R. 3297) – amends the INA with respect to V visa nonimmigrants (spouses/children of a green card holder who come to the U.S. to wait for completion of immigrant visa process) to include certain Haitian nationals whose petition for a family-sponsored immigrant visa was approved on or before January 12, 2010.
3. Foster Children Opportunity Act (H.R. 3333) – requires state plans for foster care and adoption assistance to have procedures to assist foreign national children in the child welfare system to achieve special immigrant juvenile status and green card status before exiting foster care.
4. Visa Improvements to Stimulate International Tourism to the United States of America- VISIT USA (H.R. 3341) – provides qualifying nationals of China (PRC) with a five-year multiple entry/exit visitor visa.
5. Enhanced Border Security Act (H.R. 3401) – directs the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a counterinsurgency strategy to combat the operations of transnational criminal organizations in Mexico.
6. American Growth, Recovery, Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship Act- AGREE Act (H.R. 3476) – amends the INA to eliminate the per country cap for employment-based immigrants and increase the per country cap for family-based immigrants.
7. Religious Worker Visa Reciprocity Act of 2011 (H.R. 3557) – requires the country of origin of certain special immigrant religious workers to extend reciprocal immigration treatment to U.S. nationals.
8. Immigration and Naturalization Investment Ventures for Engineering, Science, and Technology- INVEST in America Act (H.R. 3692) – establishes an entrepreneur-based immigrant category for alien entrepreneurs who have completed or are in the process of completing a degree in science, engineering, math or a technology-related field.
9. Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2011 (H.R. 3718) – prioritizes certain returning workers for purposes of the quotas on H-2B non-agricultural temporary workers.
10. New Illegal Deduction Elimination Act- New IDEA Act (H.R. 3720) – amends the Internal Revenue Code (tax code) of 1986 to clarify that wages paid to unauthorized aliens may not be deducted from gross income.
Tags: Congress, House, immigration reform, Senate
Posted in immigration reform, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
Recent Immigration Bills Introduced
Between August and October 2011, there were many immigration bills introduced in the U.S. House and Senate. The following is a list of highlights:
Senate:
S. 1545 – designates Taiwan as a visa waiver program country
S. 1576 – measures the progress of relief, recovery, reconstruction and development efforts in Haiti following the earthquake of Jan. 12, 2010
House:
HR 2730 – better enables State child welfare agencies to prevent human trafficking of children and serve the needs of children who are victims of human trafficking
HR 2771 – increases to 5 years the period during which a Cuban national must be physically present in the United States in order to qualify for a green card
HR 2831 – amends the Cuban Refugee Adjustment Act to make individuals who return to Cuba after admission or parole into the U.S.
ineligible for a green card
HR 2847 – establishes an H-2C nonimmigrant visa for an alien having residence in a foreign country which he or she has no intention of abandoning and who is coming temporarily (10-month maximum per contract period) to the U.S. to perform agricultural services
HR 2878 – amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) with respect to temporary admission of nonimmigrant aliens for the purpose of receiving medical treatment
HR 2885 – makes mandatory and permanent requirements for use of E-Verify for employment verification
HR 2899 – establishes a reciprocal relationship between the number of visas issued to state-controlled media workers in China and in the U.S.
HR 2952 – provides for expedited removal of certain aliens
HR 2981 – amends the INA to eliminate the 1-year deadline for application for asylum in the United States
HR 3012 – eliminates the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, and increases the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants
Tags: House, immigration bills, immigration reform, Senate
Posted in immigration reform, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
DREAM Act Re-Introduced!
Senators Richard Durbin, Harry Reid, and Robert Menendez re-introduced the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act today. The DREAM Act would address the plight of young immigrants who have grown up in the U.S. after being brought here illegally as small children.
The DREAM Act would offer a path to legal status to those who have graduated from high school, stayed out of trouble, and plan to attend college or serve in the U.S. military for at least two years.
Last year, the DREAM Act passed the House of Representatives but was defeated in the Senate. The sponsors of the DREAM Act hope to build on last year’s momentum and finally see this bill become a reality. Call your senators and ask them to support this legislation!
Tags: Congress, DREAM Act, Harry Reid, House of Representatives, Richard Durbin, Robert Menendez, Senate
Posted in Alerts, immigration reform, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
Senate Ruins DREAM, But Obama Promises Reform
On Saturday, December 18, 2010, the U.S. Senate failed to pass the DREAM Act, one of the most important immigration measures to come before Congress this year.
The DREAM Act would have provided green card status to certain undocumented youth who, as children, were brought to the U.S. If the youth completed high school, demonstrated good moral character, and completed at least two years of higher education or served for at least two years in the U.S. military, they would obtain a green card.
In a 55-41 vote, the Senate has prevented the DREAM from being realized for thousands, if not, millions of Americanized undocumented youth who have known only the U.S. as their home.
President Obama told representatives of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus December 21, 2010 that he is not giving up on the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform. He reiterated his support, pointing out that we can no longer perpetuate a broken immigration system that is not working for our country or our economy. He said that the issue should remain a “top priority” in the next Congress.
Tags: Congressional Hispanic Caucus, DREAM Act, President Obama, Senate
Posted in immigration reform, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
Call Your Senators! They Will Vote on the Dream Act Saturday
Senators are expected to vote on the DREAM Act on Saturday, December 18, 2010. Senate Majority Leader Reid filed cloture for this Act, which is a process aimed at bringing debates to quick end. The Senate will need 60 votes for DREAM Act to move forward.
The DREAM Act would provide lawful permanent residence (i.e. green card status) to certain undocumented youth who, as children, were brought to the U.S. The criteria to qualify include: completing high school; demonstrating good moral character; and completing at least two years of higher education or serving for at least two years in the U.S. military.
We urge you to call your senators today in support of this important Act!
Tags: DREAM Act, Majority Leader Reid, Senate
Posted in Alerts, Immigrant Visas, immigration reform, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
House Passes DREAM Act But Senate Delays
On Wednesday night, December 8, 2010, the House of Representatives passed its version of the DREAM Act by a 216 to 198 vote. The Senate was scheduled to vote on its version by this morning at 11AM EST but instead has withdrawn its version by a 59-40 vote and will be focusing on the House version of the bill, which it tabled for now. The Senate will likely resolve other issues first, such as tax cuts, before voting on the DREAM Act.
The DREAM Act would provide lawful permanent residence (i.e. green card status) to certain undocumented youth who, as children, were brought to the U.S. The criteria to qualify include: completing high school; demonstrating good moral character; and completing at least two years of higher education or serving for at least two years in the U.S. military.
Please stay tuned for updates on the Senate’s actions with respect to this important and historical legislation.
Tags: DREAM Act, House, lame duck, Senate, Senator Reid
Posted in Alerts, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
Emergency Bill Headed to Obama’s Desk
In a prior post, we informed readers that the Senate was going to vote on the emergency Border Security Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010 in September 2010 when it returned from its August recess. This is a $600 million spending bill aimed at U.S. border security. Apparently, the Senate has moved on the measure before its recess, passing it by unanimous vote on 08/12/2010. The bill will now head to President Obama’s desk, where it is expected to be signed into law.
Tags: border security, Emergency spending bill, House, Obama, Senate
Posted in Alerts, Crimes and Immigration, immigration reform, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
Emergency Border Security Bill Update
On August 9, 2010, we posted a blog discussing the emergency border security bill passed by the Senate (Border Security Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010) and urged to be passed by the House of Representatives before it breaks for August recess. Instead of passing the bill sent over by the Senate, the House of Representatives has introduced a new but same bill per procedures that require the House to originate revenue generating measures.
On August 10, 2010, the House passed the new version of this bill by voice vote. The bill must now return to the Senate, which is currently on recess until September 10, 2010, for final passage before being sent to President Obama’s desk for signature. Please stay tuned for additional updates as they become available regarding this legislation.
Tags: emergency border security bill, House of Representatives, Senate
Posted in Alerts, Crimes and Immigration, immigration reform, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
$600 Million Emergency Border Security Bill Passed by Senate
Hours before the Senate broke for its August recess on August 5, 2010, it passed a $600 million dollar emergency spending bill aimed at border security. The bill, which was passed by voice vote and titled Emergency Border Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010, was introduced by Senator Schumer (D-NY) and several of his Democratic colleagues.
The Emergency Border Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010 is a substitute amendment to H.R. 5875, a bill passed by the House of Representatives on July 28, 2010. Further action is needed by the House of Representatives before the bill can be sent to President Obama for signature. Advocates are hoping the House of Representatives will pass the bill today or tomorrow before breaking for August. Otherwise, the bill will not get consideration until September.
The Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano, released a statement urging the House of Representatives to pass the bill. She stated in her release: “I encourage the House to act quickly on this bill to strengthen our historic border security efforts.”
Stay tuned for more updates regarding this emergency legislation in future posts.
Tags: border security, Emergency spending bill, House of Representatives, Senate
Posted in Alerts, Crimes and Immigration, immigration reform, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
