Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/02/2008 - Received in the House.

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A bill to require the accreditation of English language training programs, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 09/30/2008 - Presented to President.

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To extend for 5 years the program relating to waiver of the foreign country residence requirement with respect to international medical graduates, and for other purposes. 9/26/2008--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 3 other summaries) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to extend the J-1 visa waiver (Conrad state 30/medical services in underserved areas) program through March 6, 2009. Increases from five to 10 the number of alien physicians under such program who may serve in state facilities that treat patients from, but that may not be located in, a medically underserved area. (Subject to the overall limit of 30 participants per state.) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) federal programs waiving the two-year foreign residence requirement for physicians are generally designed to promote the delivery of critically needed medical services to people in the United States lacking adequate access [...]

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Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

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To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act and title IV of the Social Security Act to provide for the denial of family classification petitions filed by an individual who owes child support arrearages.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

American Child Support Enforcement Immigration Act of 2006 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) from approving a family-based immigration petition or fiance/fiancee nonimmigrant petition by a petitioner certified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as owing child support arrearages.

Authorizes the Secretary to revoke a previously-approved petition (if a visa has not been issued or a status adjustment has not been effected) if such petition would not have been approved had the provisions of this Act been in effect.

Latest Action: 08/10/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

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Disapproving the rule submitted to the Congress by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on June 6, 2007, relating to adjustment of the Immigration and Naturalization Benefit Application and Petition Fee Schedule.

7/30/2007--Introduced.

Disapproves the rule submitted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to the Congress on June 6, 2007, relating to adjustment of the immigration and naturalization benefit application and petition fee schedule, and states that such rule shall have no force or effect.

Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

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To reform Federal procedures relating to intercountry adoption. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Intercountry Adoption Reform Act of 2007 or the ICARE Act - Establishes an Office of Intercountry Adoptions within the Department of State to be headed by the Ambassador at Large for Intercountry Adoptions. Transfers to the Office all functions with respect to intercountry adoptions currently performed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise: (1) conditions for automatic citizenship for children born outside the United States, including for adopted children; and (2) requirements concerning the history of parents' physical presence in the United States or its possessions. Defines the term "full and final adoption." Prescribes procedural requirements for the adoption of foreign-born children by U.S. citizens.Establishes a nonimmigrant W-visa for an adoptable child coming into the United States for adoption by [...]

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Latest Action: 02/28/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.

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To provide for the implementation of the recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. 8/3/2007--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries) Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 - Provides for implementation of recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission).Title I: Homeland Security Grants - (Sec. 101) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to establish Homeland Security Grant Programs (consisting of an Urban Area Security Initiative and a State Homeland Security Grant Program). Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (the Secretary) to award Program grants through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Provides that none of the provisions regarding grants to states and high-risk urban areas shall be construed to affect programs authorized under the Federal Fire Prevention [...]

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Latest Action: 05/22/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6464-6465)

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A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to reduce fraud in certain visa programs for aliens working temporarily in the United States.

5/22/2007--Introduced.

H-1B Visa Fraud Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise employer and government requirements with respect to H-1B (specialty occupation) nonimmigrant aliens.

Increases labor condition application penalties.

Provides H-1B alien whistleblower protections.

Requires the Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to submit to Congress a fraud risk assessment of the H-1B visa program.

Latest Action: 02/13/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1924-1925)

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A concurrent resolution providing that any agreement relating to trade and investment that is negotiated by the executive branch with another country comply with certain minimum standards.

2/13/2007--Introduced.

Urges that any trade and investment agreement that is negotiated by the executive branch with foreign countries should comply with: (1) specified requirements applying to all countries; (2) specified requirements applying to only the United States; and (3) provisions providing special treatment for developing countries.

Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

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To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to deny visas and admission to aliens who have been unlawfully present in the United States for more than 6 months.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise the description of inadmissibility based upon six-month or one-year unlawful U.S. presence to provide that an alien shall be inadmissible who has been unlawfully present in the United States for: (1) a period of more than 180 days but less than one year unless the alien has remained outside of the United States for a period totaling at least three years; or (2) one year or more unless the alien has remained outside of the United States for a period totaling at least 10 years.

Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

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To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt elementary and secondary schools from the fee imposed on employers filing petitions with respect to non-immigrant workers under the H-1B program.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt elementary and secondary schools from the fee imposed on employers filing petitions for temporary nonimmigrant workers under the H-1B (specialty occupations) visa program.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/02/2008 - Received in the House.

Bill Text
A bill to require the accreditation of English language training programs, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 09/25/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
To require the accreditation of English language training programs, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 06/23/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Byrd. With written report No. 110-396.

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An original bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 6/23/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Department of Homeland Security Departmental Management and Operations - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2009 for the Offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, and the Inspector General.Title II: Security, Enforcement, and Investigations - Makes appropriations for FY2009 for: (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including [...]

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Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act)

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A bill to provide safeguards against faulty asylum procedures, to improve conditions of detention for detainees, and for other purposes. 6/11/2008--Introduced. Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act - Sets forth provisions regarding procedures and standards applicable to aliens detained in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody and the conditions of such custody, which shall address: (1) fair and humane treatment; (2) solitary confinement limitations; (3) investigation of grievances; (4) access to telephones and legal assistance; (5) detainee transfers; (6) translation capabilities; (7) medical care; (8) vulnerable populations; (9) standards for non-criminal detainees; (10) personnel training; and (11) reporting of detainee deaths.Establishes in DHS: (1) an Office of Detention Oversight; and (2) a detention alternatives program under which detainees may be released under enhanced supervision.Provides for: (1) legal orientation for immigration and asylum [...]

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Latest Action: 09/08/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with amendments. Without written report.

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A bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2008 through 2011 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, to enhance measures to combat trafficking in persons, and for other purposes. 5/22/2008--Introduced. William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to direct the Secretary of State to establish within the Department of State an Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking. (Current law authorizes such Office's establishment.)Directs the President to implement an anti-trafficking program monitoring system.Authorizes the President to establish the Paul D. Wellstone Presidential Award for Extraordinary Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons.Sets forth protections for aliens who: (1) may be trafficking victims or who may testify against traffickers (including parole entry for certain family members); (2) are work-based nonimmigrants; (3) are domestic [...]

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Latest Action: 04/28/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

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To extend the returning worker exemption to the H-2B numerical limitation.

4/17/2008--Introduced.

Seasonal Workforce Assistance Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt certain returning H-2B aliens (temporary nonagricultural worker) from annual numerical limitations.

Latest Action: 04/10/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

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A bill to provide emergency relief for United States businesses and industries currently employing temporary foreign workers and for other purposes. 4/10/2008--Introduced. Global Competitiveness Act of 2008 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend the annual cap exemption for returning H-2B aliens (temporary nonagricultural workers). Revises H-1B nonimmigrant visa (specialty occupation) provisions regarding: (1) recapture of unused visas (including a recapture fee); (2) visa increases and increases for exemptions from numerical limitations for aliens with higher education degrees; (3) increased employer petition fees; (4) employer restrictions on outsourcing, advertising, and hiring; and (5) enforcement, information sharing, and labor application penalty increases. Amends the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 regarding: (1) recapture of unused employment-based immigrant visas and redistribution to specified employment [...]

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Latest Action: 07/01/2008 - Signed by President.

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To remove the African National Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization for certain acts or events, provide relief for certain members of the African National Congress regarding admissibility, and for other purposes. 6/26/2008--Public Law.    (There are 4 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on June 26, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Amends the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 to state that for purposes of alien inadmissibility based upon terrorist-related grounds the African National Congress (ANC) shall not be considered to be a terrorist organization on the basis of any act or event that occurred before the date of enactment of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of State (after consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security) or the Secretary of Homeland Security (after [...]

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Latest Action: 04/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

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To modify certain requirements with respect to H-1B nonimmigrants. 3/13/2008--Introduced. Innovation Employment Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the annual H-1B nonimmigrant visa (specialty occupation) cap from 65,000 to 130,000 starting in FY2008. Provides that for FY2010-FY2015 if the cap has been reached in the prior year the current cap would increase to the greater of 180,000 and the limitation applicable for the previous year increased by 20% percent. Exempts from H-1B caps an alien who has earned a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and with respect to whom the petitioning employer requires such education as a condition for employment. Establishes a 20,000 annual cap for aliens who earned a master's or higher degree from an institution of higher education outside of the United States in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics [...]

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Latest Action: 04/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

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To increase the numerical limitation with respect to H-1B nonimmigrants for fiscal years 2008 and 2009.

3/14/2008--Introduced.

Strengthening United States Technology And Innovation Now Act or the SUSTAIN Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that the total number of aliens who may be issued H-1B nonimmigrant visas (specialty occupation) or otherwise acquire such status shall be 195,000 for FY2008 and FY2009.