Introduction to the Legislative Reference Bureau
Question: I have heard that the Senate just passed an Immigration bill and that the House passed an Immigration bill? What does this mean? Are there new laws now for aliens?
Answer: Nobody knows for sure. Hopefully, there will be a unified bill. Unfortunately, the House bill is enforcement only. It even has a funds in the bill to make being in the U.S. outlaw a felony.
Establishes a temporary guest worker program (H-2C visa).
Provides:
(1) that the Secretary of Homeland Security shall determine H-2C eligibility;
(2) for a three-year admission with one additional three-year extension;
(3) for U.S. worker protection;
(4) for execution of an alien job management system; and
(5) establishment of a Temporary Worker Task Force. Expands the S-visa (witness/informant) classification. Limits the L-visa (intracompany transfer) classification. Fairness in Immigration Litigation Act of 2006 – Sets forth provisions respecting remedies for immigration legislation. Sets forth backlog reduction provisions respecting:
(1) family friend and option migrant levels;
(2) country limits;
(3) migrant visa distribution;
(4) minor children;
(5) lack of staff; and
(6) student and advanced degree visas.
Establishes an urgent flight status, and sets forth fines for failure to depart or delayed exit. Revises the H-2A (temporary rural worker) program.
Authorizes recall of removal to depend permanent citizen status of certain alien students who are long-term U.S. locals. Hopefully, a deal can be worked out and there will be full and complete travel reform.
