| AILA HOT BILLS
108 th CONGRESS
Below is a list of immigration-related bills introduced during the 108th Congress that reflect AILA's legislative priorities. (The list, which is updated regularly, is organized by topic, with Senate bills listed first.) For the status of these bills, or for more information, please contact the AILA Advocacy Department (Phone 202-216-2400; Fax 202-783-7853) or visit the Advocacy Center on InfoNet. To view a complete listing of immigration-related legislation introduced thus far during the 108th Congress, visit the “Track Legislation” section in the Advocacy Center on InfoNet and click on “ Immigration-Related Legislation .”
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Adjustment of Status/Family Unification
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S. 1545
Support |
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2003 : Introduced on July 31 by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Richard Durbin (D-IL), S. 1545 would amend the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to again permit states to determine residency for in-state tuition purposes. The DREAM Act also would grant conditional permanent resident status to young people who came to the U.S. before the age of 16, have good moral character, have lived in the U.S. at least five years at the time of enactment, and have graduated from high school.
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S. 1510
Support |
The Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003 : Introduced on July 31 by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), would provide a mechanism for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor their permanent partners for residence in the United States. Like H.R. 823, below, S. 1510 defines the term “permanent partner” to mean an individual 18 years of age or older who: (a) is in a committed, intimate relationship with another individual 18 years of age or older in which both parties intend a lifelong commitment; (b) is financially interdependent with that other individual; (c) is not married to or in a permanent partnership with anyone other than that other individual; (d) is unable to contract with that other individual a marriage cognizable under the INA; and (e) is not a first, second, or third degree blood relation of that other individual.
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H.R. 2585
Support |
The Family Reunification Act of 2003 : Introduced on June 24 by Representative Barney Frank (D-MA), H.R. 2585 would amend the INA to permit certain long-term permanent residents to seek cancellation of removal.
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| H.R. 1684 |
The Student Adjustment Act of 2003 : Introduced on April 9 by Representatives Chris Cannon (R-UT), Howard Berman (D-CA), and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), H.R. 1684 would amend the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to permit states to determine state residency for in-state tuition purposes and would also provide for the adjustment of status of certain undocumented college-bound students.
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| H.R. 832 |
The Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003 : Introduced on February 13 by Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and 107 cosponsors, H.R. 832 would provide a mechanism for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor their permanent partners for residence in the U.S. The bill defines the term “permanent partner” to mean an individual 18 years of age or older who: (a) is in a committed, intimate relationship with another individual 18 years of age or older in which both parties intend a lifelong commitment; (b) is financially interdependent with that other individual; (c) is not married to or in a permanent partnership with anyone other than that other individual; (d) is unable to contract with that other individual a marriage cognizable under the INA; and (e) is not a first, second, or third degree blood relation of that other individual.
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| H.R. 539 |
Admission of Spouses of LPRs : Introduced by Representative Robert Andrews (D-NJ) on February 5, H.R. 539 would provide for the admission to the U.S. for permanent residence without numerical limitation of spouses of permanent resident aliens.
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| H.R. 440 |
The Unity, Security, Accountability, and Family (USA Family) Act : Introduced by Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) on January 29, H.R. 440 would: provide legal permanent residence to immigrants who have been living in the U.S. for 5 years or more; grant conditional legal status and work authorization to all law-abiding immigrants living in the U.S. for less than 5 years; repeal the 3- and 10-year bars to admissibility and the provisions that render aliens removable from the U.S. for having committed certain minor nonviolent offenses; and create an improved system of accountability that allows critical resources and manpower to be redirected to fight the war on terror.
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| H.R. 152 |
The Immigration Adjustment Act of 2003 : Introduced on January 7 by Representative Ed Pastor (D-AZ), H.R. 152 would provide for the adjustment of status of certain aliens with longstanding ties to the U.S. To be eligible, aliens would have to establish that they entered the U.S. before January 1, 2001, and have resided continuously here immediately preceding the five-year period ending on the date on which they become eligible for adjustment under the bill. |
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Asylum/Special Immigrants
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S.1129
Support |
The Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act of 2003 : Introduced on May 22 by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), S. 1129 would build upon the Homeland Security Act, which transferred the care and custody of unaccompanied alien children from the former INS to the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Among other things, the bill would: ensure that unaccompanied alien children have access to counsel; give ORR with the authority to provide guardians ad litem to such children; establish minimum standards for the care and custody of unaccompanied alien minors; and strengthen policies for permanent protection of unaccompanied alien children.
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H.R. 2152
Support |
Extending the Religious Worker Program : Introduced on May 19 by Representative Barney Frank (D-MA), H.R. 2152 would amend INA § 101(a)(27)(C)(ii) to extend for an additional five years (through 2008) the special immigrant religious worker program.
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| H.R. 82 |
The Increase in Numerical Limitation for Asylees Adjustment Act of 2003 : Introduced on January 7 by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), H.R. 82 would amend INA § 209(b) to increase from 10,000 to 25,000 the number of asylees who may adjust their status to that of a lawful permanent resident in any given year. |
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Due Process and Civil Liberties
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| H.R. 836 |
Restoration of Pre-IIRAIRA Avenues of Relief : Introduced on February 13 by Representative Ed Pastor (D-AZ), H.R. 836 would amend the INA to restore the avenues for relief from removal that existed for aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence prior to the enactment of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.
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| H.R. 47 |
The Restoration of Fairness in Immigration Act : Introduced on January 7 by Representative John Conyers (D-MI), H.R. 47 would restore due process by repealing the retroactivity of the IIRIRA, restore judicial review and discretion, eliminate mandatory detention, and otherwise restore fairness and proportionality. |
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Driver's Licenses/ ID Documents
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H.R. 1121
Oppose |
The Driver's License Integrity Act of 2003 : Introduced on March 6 by Representative Eric I. Cantor (R-VA), H.R. 1121 would limit the period of validity of driver's licenses and state identification cards issued to nonimmigrants to the period of validity of the applicant's nonimmigrant visa.
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H.R. 655
Oppose |
Restriction on States' Acceptance of Certain Identification Documents : Introduced by Representative Jeff Flake (R-AZ) on January 29, H.R. 655 would bar federal agencies from accepting for any identification-related purpose a state-issued driver's license, or other comparable identification document, unless the state requires such license or comparable document issued to a nonimmigrant alien to expire upon the expiration of the alien's authorized period of stay in the U.S.
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Immigration Reform
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| S. 1387 |
The Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2003 : Introduced on July 10 by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), S. 1387 would authorize the establishment of guest worker programs on both a seasonal and non-seasonal basis, the number of participants in which would be adjusted annually based on changes in U.S. economic conditions.
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| H.R. 2899 |
The Border Security and Immigration Improvement Act : Introduced on July 25 by Arizona Republican Representatives Jim Kolbe and Jeff Flake, H.R. 2899 would amend the INA to create two new visa categories, one for foreign workers now residing outside the U.S. (H-4A) and one for foreign workers currently residing in the U.S. without authorization (H-4B). |
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Miscellaneous
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H.R. 2853
Support |
The Colombian Temporary Protected Status Act of 2003 : Introduced on July 24 by Representative James McGovern (D-MA), H.R. 2853 would designate Colombia under the temporary protected status (TPS) program.
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H.R. 931
Oppose |
The National Language Act of 2003 : Introduced on February 26 by Representative Peter King (R-NY), H.R. 931 would amend Title 4 of the U.S. Code to declare English the official language of the U.S. The bill would also repeal the Bilingual Education Act and § 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (pertaining to bilingual voting requirements), and would require all naturalization ceremonies and administration of the oath of allegiance to be conducted in English. |
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Naturalization for Noncitizen Soldiers
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S. 922 |
The Naturalization and Family Protection for Military Members Act of 2003 : Introduced on April 11 by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), S. 922 would facilitate the naturalization of immigrants serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and would also establish important immigration protections for the families of immigrants who are killed in the line of duty.
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H.R. 1954 |
The Armed Forces Naturalization Act of 2003 : Introduced on May 6 by House Judiciary Committee Chair James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), H.R. 1954 would amend the INA to change the requirements for naturalization through service in the U.S. Armed Forces by: reducing from three years to one the required minimum period of service; prohibiting the imposition of fees relating to naturalization for these individuals; and facilitating naturalization proceedings overseas. Finally, H.R. 1954 would extend some nominal posthumous benefits to surviving immediate family members of immigrants in the armed forces who die while serving their country.
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| H.R. 1814 |
The Naturalization and Family Protection for Military Members Act of 2003 : Introduced on April 11 by Representative Hilda Solis (D-CA), H.R. 1814 would: reduce the number of years required for immigrants serving in the military to become naturalized; extend immediate naturalization eligibility to immigrants serving during a period of military hostility in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces (active military are already eligible for immediate naturalization under the law); and extend posthumous benefits to surviving immediate family members of immigrants in the armed forces who die while serving their country.
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| H.R. 1275 |
Naturalization for Noncitizen Service Members : Introduced on March 13 by Representative Martin Frost (D-TX), H.R. 1275 would amend the INA to change the requirements for naturalization through service in the U.S. Armed Forces by: eliminating the required minimum period of service; prohibiting the imposition of fees relating to naturalization for these individuals; and facilitating naturalization proceedings overseas. |
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Nonimmigrants
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H.R. 2849
Oppose |
The USA Jobs Protection Act of 2003 : Introduced on July 24 by Representative Nancy Johnson (D-CT), H.R. 2849 would amend the H-1B and L-1 visa programs to increase the monitoring and enforcement authority of the Secretary of Labor over such programs. Among other things, the bill would require L-1 employers to file an attestation with the Department of Labor, and would make the INA's “H-1B-dependent” provisions applicable to all H-1B employers.
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H.R. 2702
Oppose |
The L-1 Nonimmigrant Reform Act : Introduced on July 10 by Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), H.R. 2702 would amend the INA by placing restrictive limits on the L-1 visa, including a 35,000 per year visa cap, DOL attestation requirements and an abolishment of blanket Ls.
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H.R. 2154
Oppose |
Restrictions on L-1 Intracompany Transferees : Introduced by Representative John Mica (R-FL), H.R. 2154 would amend INA § 214(c)(2) to prevent employers from placing a nonimmigrant intracompany transferee with another employer. Specifically, prospective L-1 employers would be required to file an application with the Secretary of Labor stating that the employer will not place the nonimmigrant with another employer where: (1) the nonimmigrant performs duties at a worksite owned, operated, or controlled by such other employer; and (2) there are indicia of an employment relationship between the nonimmigrant and such other employer. The bill would also require employers to make these “applications” available for public inspection, and the Secretary of Labor would compile and make available for public inspection a list of all such applications, classified by employer and occupation.
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| H.R. 87 |
The Rural and Urban Health Care Act of 2003 : Introduced on January 7 by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), H.R. 87 would modify the requirements applicable to the admission into the U.S. of H-1C nonimmigrant registered nurses. |
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Restrictionist Bills
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H.R. 2688
Oppose |
Repeal of the H-1B Program : Introduced on July 9 by Representative Tom Tancredo (R-CO), H.R. 2688 would amend the INA to completely repeal the provisions relating to the H–1B visa program for temporary workers.
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H.R. 2671
Oppose |
The Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal (CLEAR) Act of 2003 : Introduced on July 9 by Representative Charles Norwood (R-GA), H.R. 2671 would encourage enhanced federal, state and local enforcement of the immigration laws. The bill attempts to coerce states into passing such legislation by threatening to discontinue federal compensation to states for the costs of incarcerating criminal aliens.
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H.R. 2235
Oppose |
The Emergency Immigration Workload Reduction and Homeland Security Enhancement Act of 2003 : Introduced on May 22 by Representative Sam Graves (R-MO), H.R. 2235 would suspend: the Visa Waiver Program; adjustment of status; extensions of temporary protected status designations; the allocation of immigrant visas to brothers and sisters of citizens; the allocation of immigrant visas to sons and daughters of citizens; the allocation of immigrant visas to unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents; the allocation of immigrant visas to diversity immigrants; and the issuance of all nonimmigrant visas.
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H.R. 1631
Oppose |
The No Social Security for Illegal Immigrants Act of 2003 : Introduced on April 2 by Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), H.R. 1631 would amend Title II of the Social Security Act to exclude from creditable wages and self-employment income wages earned for services by aliens performed without work authorization in the United States and self-employment income derived from a trade or business conducted in the United States during any period for which the alien is not authorized to perform such function or service.
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H.R. 1567
Oppose |
The Citizenship Reform Act of 2003 : Introduced on April 2 by Representative Nathan Deal (R-GA), H.R. 1567 would attempt, via an amendment to the INA, to deny citizenship at birth to children born in the United States of parents who are not citizens or permanent resident aliens.
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H.R. 997
Oppose |
The English Language Unity Act of 2003 : Introduced on February 27 by Representative Steve King (R-IA), H.R. 997 would: declare English the official language of the U.S.; establish a uniform English language rule for naturalization; and require the official functions of government to be conducted in English.
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H.R. 946
Oppose |
The Mass Immigration Reduction Act of 2003 : Introduced on February 26 by Representative Tom Tancredo (R-CO), H.R. 946 would establish a moratorium on immigration beginning on October 1, 2003, and ending on September 30 of the first fiscal year after fiscal year 2008 during which the President submits a report to Congress, which is approved by a joint resolution of Congress, that the flow of illegal immigration has been reduced to less than 10,000 aliens per year and that any increase in legal immigration resulting from termination of the moratorium would have no adverse impact on the wages and working conditions of U.S., citizens, federal environmental quality standards, or the capacity of various public institutions to serve their resident population.
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H.R. 908
Oppose |
Enhanced Penalties for Reentry After Removal : Introduced on February 25 by Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), H.R. 908 would amend INA § 276(b) to specify that imprisonment for reentering the United States after removal subsequent to a conviction for a felony shall be under circumstances that stress strenuous work and sparse living conditions, if the alien is convicted of another felony after reentry.
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H.R. 775
Oppose |
The Security and Fairness Enhancement (SAFE) for America Act of 2003 : Introduced on February 13 by Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), H.R. 775 would amend the INA to eliminate the diversity immigrant program.
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H.R. 687
Oppose |
The Identification Integrity Act of 2003 : Introduced on February 11 by Representative Elton Gallegly (R-CA), H.R. 687 would prohibit the federal government from accepting any form of identification issued by a foreign government with the exception of a passport.
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H.R. 502
Oppose |
Prohibition on Acceptance of Foreign Identification Documents : Introduced by Representative Tom Tancredo (R-CO) on January 29, H.R. 502 would prohibit the federal government from accepting any foreign identification document, including passports, for use in connection with the provision of federal benefits or services.
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H.J. Res. 58
Oppose |
Joint Resolution Disapproving Treasury Department Rules on Acceptable Forms of Identification for Noncitizens : Introduced on May 22 by Representative Tom Tancredo (R-CO), H.J. Res. 58 would provide that Congress disapproves of final rules promulgated by the Treasury Department on April 30 permitting financial institutions to accept certain forms of identification from noncitizens. |
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