All Visas Legislation - Federal Government
H.R.6456 - To provide for extensions of certain authorities of the Department of State, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Bill Text To provide for extensions of certain authorities of the Department of State, and for other purposes. 7/30/2008--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary) (Sec. 1) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to extend for one year the Secretary of State's authority to waive Foreign Service annuitant salary and full-time employment pension restrictions respecting assignment to: (1) consular posts with a substantial visa application backlog; and (2) Iraq and Afghanistan. (Sec. 2) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to permit rest and recuperation travel for Foreign Service members and family members to U.S. territories, including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Specifies that required leave based upon continuous service abroad may be taken in the United States or its territories, including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,[...] show full description Comment on Bill S.3181 - An original bill making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, 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. Bill Text 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 [...] show full description S.RES.588 - A resolution honoring Dr. Feng Shan Ho, a man of great courage and humanity, who saved the lives of thousands of Austrian Jews between 1938 and 1940.
Latest Action: 06/06/2008 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5374-5375; text as passed Senate: CR S5375; text of measure as introduced: CR S5372-5373) Bill Text A resolution honoring Dr. Feng Shan Ho, a man of great courage and humanity, who saved the lives of thousands of Austrian Jews between 1938 and 1940. 6/6/2008--Passed Senate without amendment. (There is 1 other summary)
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Honors the courage and humanity of Dr. Feng Shan Ho for acting at great personal risk to issue Chinese visas to Jews in Vienna between 1938 and 1940. Recognizes his heroic deeds in saving the lives of thousands of Jewish persons by allowing them to escape the Holocaust. H.R.6043 - To provide for an evaluation factor for defense contractors employing or subcontracting with recipients of certain special immigrant visas.
Latest Action: 06/04/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia. Bill Text To provide for an evaluation factor for defense contractors employing or subcontracting with recipients of certain special immigrant visas. 5/13/2008--Introduced. Defines, for this Act: (1) "covered contract" as a Department of Defense (DOD) procurement contract in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom regarding which proficiency in Arabic or knowledge of Iraq is useful; and (2) "covered special immigrant visa" as a visa issued under specified provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (relating to special immigrant status for certain Iraqis) or the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (relating to special immigrant status for persons serving as translators with the U.S. Armed Forces). Authorizes the Secretary of Defense, in evaluating any bid or proposal for a covered contract, to use as an evaluation factor whether an entity intends to carry out the contract using an employee or individual subcontractor [...] show full description S.2979 - A bill to exempt the African National Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. Bill Text A bill to exempt the African National Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization, and for other purposes. 5/6/2008--Introduced. 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 consultation with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General) to determine, in such Secretary's sole unreviewable discretion, that inadmissibility based upon specified criminal convictions or terrorist activities shall not apply to an alien with respect to activities undertaken in opposition to apartheid [...] show full description S.2868 - A bill to amend title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act to replace the diversity visa lottery program with a program that issues visas to aliens with an advanced degree.
Latest Action: 04/16/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Bill Text A bill to amend title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act to replace the diversity visa lottery program with a program that issues visas to aliens with an advanced degree. 4/16/2008--Introduced.
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to replace the diversity visa lottery program with a program that issues immigrant visas to aliens with advanced degrees in the life sciences, the physical sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering. States that such visas shall be issued or adjusted in a random order unless the Secretary of State determines that certain of such degrees are most needed to meet U.S. workforce and economic security needs. (Sets forth visa allocation provisions if the Secretary has made such an economic determination.) Provides for advanced degree visa carryover as of FY2009. H.R.5837 - To make technical corrections to section 1244 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which provides special immigrant status for certain Iraqis, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 04/28/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. Bill Text To make technical corrections to section 1244 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which provides special immigrant status for certain Iraqis, and for other purposes. 4/17/2008--Introduced.
Makes technical corrections to provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 which provide special immigrant status for certain Iraqis employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security or State to convert approved petitions for such status with respect to which visas are not immediately available to approved petitions for petitions filed before October 1, 2008. S.2839 - A bill to provide emergency relief for United States businesses and industries currently employing temporary foreign workers and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 04/10/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Bill Text 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 [...] show full description S.2829 - A bill to make technical corrections to section 1244 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which provides special immigrant status for certain Iraqis, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 06/03/2008 - Signed by President. Bill Text A bill to make technical corrections to section 1244 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which provides special immigrant status for certain Iraqis, and for other purposes. 6/3/2008--Public Law. (There are 3 other summaries)
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Makes technical corrections to provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 which provide special immigrant status for certain Iraqis employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security or State to convert approved petitions for such status with respect to which visas are not immediately available to approved petitions for petitions filed before October 1, 2008. H.R.5761 - To withhold Federal financial assistance from each country that denies or unreasonably delays the acceptance of nationals of such country who have been ordered removed from the United States and to prohibit the issuance of visas to nationals of such country.
Latest Action: 04/28/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. Bill Text To withhold Federal financial assistance from each country that denies or unreasonably delays the acceptance of nationals of such country who have been ordered removed from the United States and to prohibit the issuance of visas to nationals of such country. 4/10/2008--Introduced. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prohibit funds from being dispersed to a country that denies or unreasonably delays the acceptance of its citizens, nationals, or residents who have been ordered removed under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) from the United States. Amends INA to prohibit visa issuance to citizens, nationals, or residents of such country unless: (1) the country is in full compliance with travel document requirements under this Act; or (2) Congress waives such prohibition. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to report to Congress every three months listing countries that deny or delay such repatriation. Imposes assistance and visa prohibitions [...] show full description H.R.5707 - To provide incentives to physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities.
Latest Action: 04/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. Bill Text To provide incentives to physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities. 4/3/2008--Introduced.
Conrad State 30 Improvement Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to make the the J-1 visa waiver (Conrad state 30/medical services in underserved areas) program permanent. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) revise entry provisions for H-1B visa foreign medical graduates and provide for an increase in the annual per-state cap of 30 foreign doctors; (2) exempt from worldwide immigration numerical limitations alien physicians who have completed service requirements of a state waiver or exemption, including alien physicians who completed such service before the date of the enactment of this Act; and (3) increase Conrad program waiver authority with respect to facilities that treat patients from, but who may not be located in, a medically underserved area. H.R.5690 - 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.
Latest Action: 07/01/2008 - Signed by President. Bill Text 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 [...] show full description S.2751 - A bill to facilitate foreign investment by permanently reauthorizing the EB-5 regional center program, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 03/12/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2006-2007) Bill Text A bill to facilitate foreign investment by permanently reauthorizing the EB-5 regional center program, and for other purposes. 3/12/2008--Introduced.
State Foreign Investment Improvement Act - Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 to: (1) make the alien investor (EB-5) regional center program permanent; and (2) establish a $2,500 regional center designation fee. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) establish a $2,000 EB-5 premium processing fee; (2) permit concurrent filing for EB-5 petitions and status adjustment applications; and (3) establish in the Treasury the Immigrant Entrepreneur Regional Account Center. S.2739 - A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Signed by President. Bill Text A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--Public Law. (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 - Title I: Forest Service Authorizations - (Sec. 101) Designates certain lands in the Skykomish River Valley, Washington, as the Wild Sky Wilderness, to be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Directs the Secretary to establish a trail plan. Authorizes the use of helicopter access to construct and maintain a joint [...] show full description H.R.5571 - 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.
Latest Action: 06/02/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Bill Text 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. 5/21/2008--Passed House amended. (There are 2 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 June 1, 2013. 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 to [...] show full description H.R.5570 - To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to the special immigrant nonminister religious worker program, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Bill Text To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to the special immigrant nonminister religious worker program, and for other purposes. 4/15/2008--Passed House amended. (There are 2 other summaries) Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue final regulations to eliminate or reduce fraud in the special immigrant non-minister religious worker program by December 31, 2008. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) extend the special immigrant program for non-minister religious workers until January 1, 2010; and (2) extend the program until January 1, 2016, (to be effective March 1, 2009) if the Secretary issues such final regulations by December 31, 2008. Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress on such regulations' effectiveness by September 30, 2010. Requires that such report shall include an analysis of a random [...] show full description H.R.5569 - To extend for 5 years the EB-5 regional center pilot program, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Bill Text To extend for 5 years the EB-5 regional center pilot program, and for other purposes. 6/9/2008--Passed House amended. (There are 2 other summaries)
Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 to extend the alien investor (EB-5) regional center program for five years. Expresses the sense of Congress that, to the extent practicable, qualifying program investments should be made in targeted employment areas including rural areas and high unemployment areas. S.2720 - A bill to withhold Federal financial assistance from each country that denies or unreasonably delays the acceptance of nationals of such country who have been ordered removed from the United States and to prohibit the issuance of visas to nationals of such country.
Latest Action: 03/06/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 605. Bill Text A bill to withhold Federal financial assistance from each country that denies or unreasonably delays the acceptance of nationals of such country who have been ordered removed from the United States and to prohibit the issuance of visas to nationals of such country. 3/5/2008--Introduced. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prohibit funds from being dispersed to a country that denies or unreasonably delays the acceptance of its citizens, nationals, or residents who have been ordered removed under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) from the United States. Amends INA to prohibit visa issuance to citizens, nationals, or residents of such country unless: (1) the country is in full compliance with travel document requirements under this Act; or (2) Congress waives such prohibition. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to report to Congress every three months listing countries that deny or delay such repatriation. Imposes assistance and visa prohibitions [...] show full description S.2653 - A bill to further United States security by restoring and enhancing the competitiveness of the United States for international students, scholars, scientists, and exchange visitors and by facilitating business travel to the United States.
Latest Action: 02/14/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1068-1070) Bill Text A bill to further United States security by restoring and enhancing the competitiveness of the United States for international students, scholars, scientists, and exchange visitors and by facilitating business travel to the United States. 2/14/2008--Introduced. American Competitiveness Through International Openness Now Act of 2008 or the ACTION Act of 2008 - Directs the President to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategic plan for increasing U.S. competitiveness for international students, scholars, scientists, and exchange visitors. Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the International Education Coordinating Council. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) revise the "intent" criterion with respect to foreign students; and (2) permit specified employment-based visas to be renewed in the United States. Extends the security clearance for nonimmigrant scientists. Provides for: (1) security [...] show full description S.2672 - A bill to provide incentives to physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities.
Latest Action: 02/27/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1272-1273) Bill Text A bill to provide incentives to physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities. 2/27/2008--Introduced.
Conrad State 30 Improvement Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to make the the J-1 visa waiver (Conrad state 30/medical services in underserved areas) program permanent. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) revise entry provisions for H-1B visa foreign medical graduates and provide for an increase in the annual per-state cap of 30 foreign doctors; (2) exempt from worldwide immigration numerical limitations alien physicians who have completed service requirements of a state waiver or exemption, including alien physicians who completed such service before the date of the enactment of this Act; and (3) increase Conrad program waiver authority with respect to alien physicians in facilities that treat patients from, but that may not be located in, a medically underserved area. S.2616 - A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5530) Bill Text A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy, and for other purposes. 2/8/2008--Introduced. National Forests, Parks, Public Land, and Reclamation Projects Authorization Act of 2008 - Authorizes specified programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy concerning, among other things, land conveyances, boundary adjustments, studies, memorials, commissions, and museums, national park natural resource protection, national trails and rivers, national heritage areas, and advanced energy technology transfer centers. Sets forth provisions concerning the Northern Mariana Islands. Makes amendments to various public laws, including the National Trails System Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998, the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, the Oregon [...] show full description H.R.5233 - To extend for two years the exemption of returning workers from the numerical limitations for H-2B temporary workers.
Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. Bill Text To extend for two years the exemption of returning workers from the numerical limitations for H-2B temporary workers. 2/6/2008--Introduced.
Giving Relief to Our Small Businesses Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt certain returning H-2B aliens (temporary nonagricultural workers) from annual numerical limitations during FY2008 or FY2009. H.R.5060 - To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow athletes admitted as nonimmigrants described in section 101(a)(15)(P) of such Act to renew their period of authorized admission in 5-year increments.
Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-697. Bill Text To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow athletes admitted as nonimmigrants described in section 101(a)(15)(P) of such Act to renew their period of authorized admission in 5-year increments. 6/5/2008--Reported to House 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.) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit P-1 visa nonimmigrant athletes to renew their period of authorized U.S. admission in five-year increments. (Current law permits a single five-year renewal of admission.) H.R.4986 - To provide for the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, as previously enrolled, with certain modifications to address the foreign sovereign immunities provisions of title 28, United States Code, with respect to the attachment of property in certain judgements against Iraq, the lapse of statutory authorities for the payment of bonuses, special pays, and similar benefits for members of the uniformed services, and for other purposes.
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