Who sponsors HR 2851?

HR 2851 is sponsored by Jayapal, Pramila (Democratic), Schakowsky, Janice D. (Democratic), Espaillat, Adriano (Democratic), Panetta, Jimmy (Democratic), Ansari, Yassamin (Democratic), Balint, Becca (Democratic), Barragán, Nanette Diaz (Democratic), Carbajal, Salud O. (Democratic), Casar, Greg (Democratic), Casten, Sean (Democratic), Castro, Joaquin (Democratic), Chu, Judy (Democratic), García, Jesús G. "Chuy" (Democratic), Goldman, Daniel S. (Democratic), Hoyle, Val T. (Democratic), Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" (Democratic), Khanna, Ro (Democratic), Liccardo, Sam T. (Democratic), McGovern, James P. (Democratic), Meng, Grace (Democratic), Moore, Gwen (Democratic), Morrison, Kelly (Democratic), Norton, Eleanor Holmes (Democratic), Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria (Democratic), Omar, Ilhan (Democratic), Ramirez, Delia C. (Democratic), Scanlon, Mary Gay (Democratic), Simon, Lateefah (Democratic), Smith, Adam (Democratic), Stansbury, Melanie A. (Democratic), Thanedar, Shri (Democratic), Tlaib, Rashida (Democratic), Velázquez, Nydia M. (Democratic), Wasserman Schultz, Debbie (Democratic), Williams, Nikema (Democratic), Nadler, Jerrold (Democratic), Vargas, Juan (Democratic), Garcia, Sylvia R. (Democratic), Correa, J. Luis (Democratic), Latimer, George (Democratic), Lee, Summer L. (Democratic), Clarke, Yvette D. (Democratic), Salinas, Andrea (Democratic), and Pocan, Mark (Democratic).

What is the current status of HR 2851?

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 10, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Where can I track HR 2851?

Track HR 2851 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

HR 2851: WISE Act | One Click Politics

Summary

Working for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment Act or the WISE ActThis bill expands eligibility for U nonimmigrant visas (victims of criminal activity) and prohibits immigration enforcement activities in specified areas.Generally, U visas are for victims of specified crimes (e.g., rape, trafficking, or domestic violence) who assist with the investigation or prosecution of the crime. The bill adds hate crimes, child abuse, and elder abuse as crimes that may qualify a victim for a U visa and removes criteria related to the victim's assistance with the investigation or prosecution of the crime. Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must provide work authorization to U visa applicants, whereas currently DHS may grant work authorization but is not required to do so.The bill also eliminates the annual numerical cap on U visas. The bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that certain individuals, including U visa applicants and T visa (victims of human trafficking) applicants, shall not be detained while the application is pending.Additionally, the bill provides immigration-related protections, such as by extending the admission period and providing work authorization, to the spouse or child of a nonimmigrant visa holder who subjected that spouse or child to battery or extreme cruelty.Further, the bill prohibits, with some exceptions for exigent circumstances, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection from conducting immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of a school, health care facility, place of worship, or other location specified in the bill.

Bill Text

Introduced Introduced in House Current html April 10, 2025

Sections of law this bill changes

30 sections in 6 laws

From the bill's own amending language, matched to the official United States Code (current through Public Law 119-124).

Supplemental nutrition assistance program · 7 U.S.C. ch. 51 Amends the act as a whole

Immigration and nationality · 8 U.S.C. ch. 12 19 sections

§ 1101 Definitions Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1101 — at 1101(a)(15)(U)(i)(I), 1101(a)(15)(U)(i), 1101(a)(15)(U)(i)(IV), 1101(a)(15)(U), 1101(a)(51), 1101(f), and 1101(a)(27)(J)

The law today

(a) As used in this chapter— (1) The term “administrator” means the official designated by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 1104(b) of this title. (2) The term “advocates” includes, but is not limited to, advises, recommends, furthers by overt act, and admits belief in. (3) The term “alien” means any person not a citizen or national of the United States. (4) The term “application for admission” has reference to the application for admission into the United States and not to the application for the issuance of an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa. (5) The term “Attorney General” means the Attorney General of the United States. (6) The term “border crossing identification card” means a document of identity bearing that designation issued to an alien who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or to an alien who is a resident in foreign contiguous territory, by a consular officer or an immigration officer for the purpose of crossing over the borders between the United States and foreign contiguous territory in accordance with such conditions for its issuance and use as may be prescribed by regulations. Such regulations shall provide that (A) each such document include a biometric identifier (such as the fingerprint or handprint of the alien) that is machine readable and (B) an alien presenting a border crossing identification card is not permitted to cross over the border into the United States unless the biometric identifier contained on the card matches the appropriate biometric characteristic of the alien. (7) The term “clerk of court” means a clerk of a naturalization court. (8) The terms “Commissioner” and “Deputy Commissioner” mean the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization and a Deputy Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization, respectively. (9) The term “consular officer” means any consular, diplomatic, or other officer or employee of the United States designated under regulations prescribed under authority contained in this chapter, for the purpose of issuing immigrant or nonimmigrant visas or, when used in subchapter III, for the purpose of adjudicating nationality. (10) The term “crewman” means a person serving in any capacity on board a vessel or aircraft. (11) The term “diplomatic visa” means a nonimmigrant visa bearing that title and issued to a nonimmigrant in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary of State may prescribe. (12) The term “doctrine” includes, but is not limited to, policies, practices, purposes, aims, or procedures. (13) (A) The terms “admission” and “admitted” mean, with respect to an alien, the lawful entry of the alien into the United States after inspection and authorization by an immigration officer. (B) An alien who is paroled under section 1182(d)(5) of this title or permitted to land temporarily as an alien crewman shall not be considered to have been admitted. (C) An alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States shall not be regarded as seeking an admission into the United States for purposes of the immigration laws unless the alien— (i) has abandoned or relinquished that status, (ii) has been absent from the United States for a continuous period in excess of 180 days, (iii) has engaged in illegal activity after having departed the United States, (iv) has departed from the United States while under legal process seeking removal of the alien from the United States, including removal proceedings under this chapter and extradition proceedings, (v) has committed an offense identified in section 1182(a)(2) of this title, unless since such offense the alien has been granted relief under section 1182(h) or 1229b(a) of this title, or (vi) is attempting to enter at a time or place other than as designated by immigration officers or has not been admitted to the United States after inspection and authorization by an immigration officer. (14) The term “foreign state” includes outlying possessions of a foreign state, but self-governing dominio...

424 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1105a Employment authorization for battered spouses of certain nonimmigrants Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1105a

The law today

(a) In general In the case of an alien spouse admitted under subparagraph (A), (E)(iii), (G), or (H) of section 1101(a)(15) of this title who is accompanying or following to join a principal alien admitted under subparagraph (A), (E)(iii), (G), or (H) of such section, respectively, the Secretary of Homeland Security may authorize the alien spouse to engage in employment in the United States and provide the spouse with an “employment authorized” endorsement or other appropriate work permit if the alien spouse demonstrates that during the marriage the alien spouse or a child of the alien spouse has been battered or has been the subject of extreme cruelty perpetrated by the spouse of the alien spouse. Requests for relief under this section shall be handled under the procedures that apply to aliens seeking relief under section 1154(a)(1)(A)(iii) of this title. (b) Construction The grant of employment authorization pursuant to this section shall not confer upon the alien any other form of relief.

6 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1151 Worldwide level of immigration Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1151

The law today

(a) In general Exclusive of aliens described in subsection (b), aliens born in a foreign state or dependent area who may be issued immigrant visas or who may otherwise acquire the status of an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence are limited to— (1) family-sponsored immigrants described in section 1153(a) of this title (or who are admitted under section 1181(a) of this title on the basis of a prior issuance of a visa to their accompanying parent under section 1153(a) of this title) in a number not to exceed in any fiscal year the number specified in subsection (c) for that year, and not to exceed in any of the first 3 quarters of any fiscal year 27 percent of the worldwide level under such subsection for all of such fiscal year; (2) employment-based immigrants described in section 1153(b) of this title (or who are admitted under section 1181(a) of this title on the basis of a prior issuance of a visa to their accompanying parent under section 1153(b) of this title), in a number not to exceed in any fiscal year the number specified in subsection (d) for that year, and not to exceed in any of the first 3 quarters of any fiscal year 27 percent of the worldwide level under such subsection for all of such fiscal year; and (3) for fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 1995, diversity immigrants described in section 1153(c) of this title (or who are admitted under section 1181(a) of this title on the basis of a prior issuance of a visa to their accompanying parent under section 1153(c) of this title) in a number not to exceed in any fiscal year the number specified in subsection (e) for that year, and not to exceed in any of the first 3 quarters of any fiscal year 27 percent of the worldwide level under such subsection for all of such fiscal year. (b) Aliens not subject to direct numerical limitations Aliens described in this subsection, who are not subject to the worldwide levels or numerical limitations of subsection (a), are as follows: (1) (A) Special immigrants described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 1101(a)(27) of this title. (B) Aliens who are admitted under section 1157 of this title or whose status is adjusted under section 1159 of this title. (C) Aliens whose status is adjusted to permanent residence under section 1160 or 1255a of this title. (D) Aliens whose removal is canceled under section 1229b(a) of this title. (E) Aliens provided permanent resident status under section 1259 of this title. (2) (A) (i) Immediate relatives.— For purposes of this subsection, the term “immediate relatives” means the children, spouses, and parents of a citizen of the United States, except that, in the case of parents, such citizens shall be at least 21 years of age. In the case of an alien who was the spouse of a citizen of the United States and was not legally separated from the citizen at the time of the citizen’s death, the alien (and each child of the alien) shall be considered, for purposes of this subsection, to remain an immediate relative after the date of the citizen’s death but only if the spouse files a petition under section 1154(a)(1)(A)(ii) of this title within 2 years after such date and only until the date the spouse remarries. For purposes of this clause, an alien who has filed a petition under clause (iii) or (iv) of section 1154(a)(1)(A) of this title remains an immediate relative in the event that the United States citizen spouse or parent loses United States citizenship on account of the abuse. (ii) Aliens admitted under section 1181(a) of this title on the basis of a prior issuance of a visa to their accompanying parent who is such an immediate relative. (B) Aliens born to an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence during a temporary visit abroad. (c) Worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants (1) (A) The worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants under this subsection for a fiscal year is, subject to subparagraph (B), equal to— (i) 480,000, minus (ii) the su...

159 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1152 Numerical limitations on individual foreign states Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1152

The law today

(a) Per country level (1) Nondiscrimination (A) Except as specifically provided in paragraph (2) and in sections 1101(a)(27), 1151(b)(2)(A)(i), and 1153 of this title, no person shall receive any preference or priority or be discriminated against in the issuance of an immigrant visa because of the person’s race, sex, nationality, place of birth, or place of residence. (B) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary of State to determine the procedures for the processing of immigrant visa applications or the locations where such applications will be processed. (2) Per country levels for family-sponsored and employment-based immigrants Subject to paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), the total number of immigrant visas made available to natives of any single foreign state or dependent area under subsections (a) and (b) of section 1153 of this title in any fiscal year may not exceed 7 percent (in the case of a single foreign state) or 2 percent (in the case of a dependent area) of the total number of such visas made available under such subsections in that fiscal year. (3) Exception if additional visas available If because of the application of paragraph (2) with respect to one or more foreign states or dependent areas, the total number of visas available under both subsections (a) and (b) of section 1153 of this title for a calendar quarter exceeds the number of qualified immigrants who otherwise may be issued such a visa, paragraph (2) shall not apply to visas made available to such states or areas during the remainder of such calendar quarter. (4) Special rules for spouses and children of lawful permanent resident aliens (A) 75 percent of 2nd preference set-aside for spouses and children not subject to per country limitation (i) In general Of the visa numbers made available under section 1153(a) of this title to immigrants described in section 1153(a)(2)(A) of this title in any fiscal year, 75 percent of the 2–A floor (as defined in clause (ii)) shall be issued without regard to the numerical limitation under paragraph (2). (ii) “2–A floor” defined In this paragraph, the term “2–A floor” means, for a fiscal year, 77 percent of the total number of visas made available under section 1153(a) of this title to immigrants described in section 1153(a)(2) of this title in the fiscal year. (B) Treatment of remaining 25 percent for countries subject to subsection (e) (i) In general Of the visa numbers made available under section 1153(a) of this title to immigrants described in section 1153(a)(2)(A) of this title in any fiscal year, the remaining 25 percent of the 2–A floor shall be available in the case of a state or area that is subject to subsection (e) only to the extent that the total number of visas issued in accordance with subparagraph (A) to natives of the foreign state or area is less than the subsection (e) ceiling (as defined in clause (ii)). (ii) “Subsection (e) ceiling” defined In clause (i), the term “subsection (e) ceiling” means, for a foreign state or dependent area, 77 percent of the maximum number of visas that may be made available under section 1153(a) of this title to immigrants who are natives of the state or area under section 1153(a)(2) of this title consistent with subsection (e). (C) Treatment of unmarried sons and daughters in countries subject to subsection (e) In the case of a foreign state or dependent area to which subsection (e) applies, the number of immigrant visas that may be made available to natives of the state or area under section 1153(a)(2)(B) of this title may not exceed— (i) 23 percent of the maximum number of visas that may be made available under section 1153(a) of this title to immigrants of the state or area described in section 1153(a)(2) of this title consistent with subsection (e), or (ii) the number (if any) by which the maximum number of visas that may be made available under section 1153(a) of this title to immigrants of the state or area describe...

60 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1153 Allocation of immigrant visas Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1153

The law today

(a) Preference allocation for family-sponsored immigrants Aliens subject to the worldwide level specified in section 1151(c) of this title for family-sponsored immigrants shall be allotted visas as follows: (1) Unmarried sons and daughters of citizens Qualified immigrants who are the unmarried sons or daughters of citizens of the United States shall be allocated visas in a number not to exceed 23,400, plus any visas not required for the class specified in paragraph (4). (2) Spouses and unmarried sons and unmarried daughters of permanent resident aliens Qualified immigrants— (A) who are the spouses or children of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or (B) who are the unmarried sons or unmarried daughters (but are not the children) of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, shall be allocated visas in a number not to exceed 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which such worldwide level exceeds 226,000, plus any visas not required for the class specified in paragraph (1); except that not less than 77 percent of such visa numbers shall be allocated to aliens described in subparagraph (A). (3) Married sons and married daughters of citizens Qualified immigrants who are the married sons or married daughters of citizens of the United States shall be allocated visas in a number not to exceed 23,400, plus any visas not required for the classes specified in paragraphs (1) and (2). (4) Brothers and sisters of citizens Qualified immigrants who are the brothers or sisters of citizens of the United States, if such citizens are at least 21 years of age, shall be allocated visas in a number not to exceed 65,000, plus any visas not required for the classes specified in paragraphs (1) through (3). (b) Preference allocation for employment-based immigrants Aliens subject to the worldwide level specified in section 1151(d) of this title for employment-based immigrants in a fiscal year shall be allotted visas as follows: (1) Priority workers Visas shall first be made available in a number not to exceed 28.6 percent of such worldwide level, plus any visas not required for the classes specified in paragraphs (4) and (5), to qualified immigrants who are aliens described in any of the following subparagraphs (A) through (C): (A) Aliens with extraordinary ability An alien is described in this subparagraph if— (i) the alien has extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics which has been demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim and whose achievements have been recognized in the field through extensive documentation, (ii) the alien seeks to enter the United States to continue work in the area of extraordinary ability, and (iii) the alien’s entry into the United States will substantially benefit prospectively the United States. (B) Outstanding professors and researchers An alien is described in this subparagraph if— (i) the alien is recognized internationally as outstanding in a specific academic area, (ii) the alien has at least 3 years of experience in teaching or research in the academic area, and (iii) the alien seeks to enter the United States— (I) for a tenured position (or tenure-track position) within a university or institution of higher education to teach in the academic area, (II) for a comparable position with a university or institution of higher education to conduct research in the area, or (III) for a comparable position to conduct research in the area with a department, division, or institute of a private employer, if the department, division, or institute employs at least 3 persons full-time in research activities and has achieved documented accomplishments in an academic field. (C) Certain multinational executives and managers An alien is described in this subparagraph if the alien, in the 3 years preceding the time of the alien’s application for classification and admission into the United States under this subparagraph, has been employed for at least 1 ye...

109 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1154 Procedure for granting immigrant status Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1154 — at 1154(h), 1154(a)(1)(K), 1154(a)(1), 1154(a)(1)(A)(iv), and 1154(a)(1)(B)(iii)

The law today

(a) Petitioning procedure (1) (A) (i) Except as provided in clause (viii), any citizen of the United States claiming that an alien is entitled to classification by reason of a relationship described in paragraph (1), (3), or (4) of section 1153(a) of this title or to an immediate relative status under section 1151(b)(2)(A)(i) of this title may file a petition with the Attorney General for such classification. (ii) An alien spouse described in the second sentence of section 1151(b)(2)(A)(i) of this title also may file a petition with the Attorney General under this subparagraph for classification of the alien (and the alien’s children) under such section. (iii) (I) An alien who is described in subclause (II) may file a petition with the Attorney General under this clause for classification of the alien (and any child of the alien) if the alien demonstrates to the Attorney General that— (aa) the marriage or the intent to marry the United States citizen was entered into in good faith by the alien; and (bb) during the marriage or relationship intended by the alien to be legally a marriage, the alien or a child of the alien has been battered or has been the subject of extreme cruelty perpetrated by the alien’s spouse or intended spouse. (II) For purposes of subclause (I), an alien described in this subclause is an alien— (aa) (AA) who is the spouse of a citizen of the United States; (BB) who believed that he or she had married a citizen of the United States and with whom a marriage ceremony was actually performed and who otherwise meets any applicable requirements under this chapter to establish the existence of and bona fides of a marriage, but whose marriage is not legitimate solely because of the bigamy of such citizen of the United States; or (CC) who was a bona fide spouse of a United States citizen within the past 2 years and— (aaa) whose spouse died within the past 2 years; (bbb) whose spouse lost or renounced citizenship status within the past 2 years related to an incident of domestic violence; or (ccc) who demonstrates a connection between the legal termination of the marriage within the past 2 years and battering or extreme cruelty by the United States citizen spouse; (bb) who is a person of good moral character; (cc) who is eligible to be classified as an immediate relative under section 1151(b)(2)(A)(i) of this title or who would have been so classified but for the bigamy of the citizen of the United States that the alien intended to marry; and (dd) who has resided with the alien’s spouse or intended spouse. (iv) An alien who is the child of a citizen of the United States, or who was a child of a United States citizen parent who within the past 2 years lost or renounced citizenship status related to an incident of domestic violence, and who is a person of good moral character, who is eligible to be classified as an immediate relative under section 1151(b)(2)(A)(i) of this title, and who resides, or has resided in the past, with the citizen parent may file a petition with the Attorney General under this subparagraph for classification of the alien (and any child of the alien) under such section if the alien demonstrates to the Attorney General that the alien has been battered by or has been the subject of extreme cruelty perpetrated by the alien’s citizen parent. For purposes of this clause, residence includes any period of visitation. (v) An alien who— (I) is the spouse, intended spouse, or child living abroad of a citizen who— (aa) is an employee of the United States Government; (bb) is a member of the uniformed services (as defined in section 101(a) of title 10); or (cc) has subjected the alien or the alien’s child to battery or extreme cruelty in the United States; and (II) is eligible to file a petition under clause (iii) or (iv), shall file such petition with the Attorney General under the procedures that apply to self-petitioners under clause (iii) or (iv), as applicable. (vi) For the purposes of any petition ...

100 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1182 Inadmissible aliens Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1182 — at 1182(a)(9)(B)(iii)(IV), 1182(a)(9)(C)(iii), 1182(a)(6)(C)(ii), 1182(d)(11), 1182(a)(6)(A)(ii), and 1182(d)(14)

The law today

(a) Classes of aliens ineligible for visas or admission Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, aliens who are inadmissible under the following paragraphs are ineligible to receive visas and ineligible to be admitted to the United States: (1) Health-related grounds (A) In general Any alien— (i) who is determined (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to have a communicable disease of public health significance; 1 (ii) except as provided in subparagraph (C), who seeks admission as an immigrant, or who seeks adjustment of status to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and who has failed to present documentation of having received vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases, which shall include at least the following diseases: mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, pertussis, influenza type B and hepatitis B, and any other vaccinations against vaccine-preventable diseases recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, (iii) who is determined (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Attorney General)— (I) to have a physical or mental disorder and behavior associated with the disorder that may pose, or has posed, a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the alien or others, or (II) to have had a physical or mental disorder and a history of behavior associated with the disorder, which behavior has posed a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the alien or others and which behavior is likely to recur or to lead to other harmful behavior, or (iv) who is determined (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to be a drug abuser or addict, is inadmissible. (B) Waiver authorized For provision authorizing waiver of certain clauses of subparagraph (A), see subsection (g). (C) Exception from immunization requirement for adopted children 10 years of age or younger Clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a child who— (i) is 10 years of age or younger, (ii) is described in subparagraph (F) or (G) of section 1101(b)(1) of this title; 1 and (iii) is seeking an immigrant visa as an immediate relative under section 1151(b) of this title, if, prior to the admission of the child, an adoptive parent or prospective adoptive parent of the child, who has sponsored the child for admission as an immediate relative, has executed an affidavit stating that the parent is aware of the provisions of subparagraph (A)(ii) and will ensure that, within 30 days of the child’s admission, or at the earliest time that is medically appropriate, the child will receive the vaccinations identified in such subparagraph. (2) Criminal and related grounds (A) Conviction of certain crimes (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), any alien convicted of, or who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of— (I) a crime involving moral turpitude (other than a purely political offense) or an attempt or conspiracy to commit such a crime, or (II) a violation of (or a conspiracy or attempt to violate) any law or regulation of a State, the United States, or a foreign country relating to a controlled substance (as defined in section 802 of title 21), is inadmissible. (ii) Exception Clause (i)(I) shall not apply to an alien who committed only one crime if— (I) the crime was committed when the alien was under 18 years of age, and the crime was committed (and the alien released from any confinement to a prison or correctional institution imposed for the crime) more than 5 years before the date of application for a visa or other documentation and the date of application for admission to the United States, or (II) the maximum penalty possible for the crime of which the alien was convicted (or which the alien admits having committed or of which the acts ...

322 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1184 Admission of nonimmigrants Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1184 — at 1184(p)(1), 1184(p), 1184(p)(7)(A), 1184(p)(7)(B), and 1184(o)

The law today

(a) Regulations (1) The admission to the United States of any alien as a nonimmigrant shall be for such time and under such conditions as the Attorney General may by regulations prescribe, including when he deems necessary the giving of a bond with sufficient surety in such sum and containing such conditions as the Attorney General shall prescribe, to insure that at the expiration of such time or upon failure to maintain the status under which he was admitted, or to maintain any status subsequently acquired under section 1258 of this title, such alien will depart from the United States. No alien admitted to Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands without a visa pursuant to section 1182(l) of this title may be authorized to enter or stay in the United States other than in Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or to remain in Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for a period exceeding 45 days from date of admission to Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. No alien admitted to the United States without a visa pursuant to section 1187 of this title may be authorized to remain in the United States as a nonimmigrant visitor for a period exceeding 90 days from the date of admission. (2) (A) The period of authorized status as a nonimmigrant described in section 1101(a)(15)(O) of this title shall be for such period as the Attorney General may specify in order to provide for the event (or events) for which the nonimmigrant is admitted. (B) The period of authorized status as a nonimmigrant described in section 1101(a)(15)(P) of this title shall be for such period as the Attorney General may specify in order to provide for the competition, event, or performance for which the nonimmigrant is admitted. In the case of nonimmigrants admitted as individual athletes under section 1101(a)(15)(P) of this title, the period of authorized status may be for an initial period (not to exceed 5 years) during which the nonimmigrant will perform as an athlete and such period may be extended by the Attorney General for an additional period of up to 5 years. (b) Presumption of status; written waiver Every alien (other than a nonimmigrant described in subparagraph (L) or (V) of section 1101(a)(15) of this title, and other than a nonimmigrant described in any provision of section 1101(a)(15)(H)(i) of this title except subclause (b1) of such section) shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for a visa, and the immigration officers, at the time of application for admission, that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant status under section 1101(a)(15) of this title. An alien who is an officer or employee of any foreign government or of any international organization entitled to enjoy privileges, exemptions, and immunities under the International Organizations Immunities Act [22 U.S.C. 288 et seq.], or an alien who is the attendant, servant, employee, or member of the immediate family of any such alien shall not be entitled to apply for or receive an immigrant visa, or to enter the United States as an immigrant unless he executes a written waiver in the same form and substance as is prescribed by section 1257(b) of this title. (c) Petition of importing employer (1) The question of importing any alien as a nonimmigrant under subparagraph (H), (L), (O), or (P)(i) of section 1101(a)(15) of this title (excluding nonimmigrants under section 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b1) of this title) in any specific case or specific cases shall be determined by the Attorney General, after consultation with appropriate agencies of the Government, upon petition of the importing employer. Such petition, shall be made and approved before the visa is granted. The petition shall be in such form and contain such information as the Attorney General shall prescribe. The approval of such a petition shall not, of itself, be construed as establi...

269 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1187 Visa waiver program for certain visitors Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1187 — at 1187(b)(2)

The law today

(a) Establishment of program The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State are authorized to establish a program (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “program”) under which the requirement of paragraph (7)(B)(i)(II) of section 1182(a) of this title may be waived by the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and in accordance with this section, in the case of an alien who meets the following requirements: (1) Seeking entry as tourist for 90 days or less The alien is applying for admission during the program as a nonimmigrant visitor (described in section 1101(a)(15)(B) of this title) for a period not exceeding 90 days. (2) National of program country The alien is a national of, and presents a passport issued by, a country which— (A) extends (or agrees to extend), either on its own or in conjunction with one or more other countries that are described in subparagraph (B) and that have established with it a common area for immigration admissions, reciprocal privileges to citizens and nationals of the United States, and (B) is designated as a pilot program country under subsection (c). (3) Passport requirements The alien, at the time of application for admission, is in possession of a valid unexpired passport that satisfies the following: (A) Machine readable The passport is a machine-readable passport that is tamper-resistant, incorporates document authentication identifiers, and otherwise satisfies the internationally accepted standard for machine readability. (B) Electronic Beginning on April 1, 2016, the passport is an electronic passport that is fraud-resistant, contains relevant biographic and biometric information (as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security), and otherwise satisfies internationally accepted standards for electronic passports. (4) Executes immigration forms The alien before the time of such admission completes such immigration form as the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish. (5) Entry into the United States If arriving by sea or air, the alien arrives at the port of entry into the United States on a carrier, including any carrier conducting operations under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or a noncommercial aircraft that is owned or operated by a domestic corporation conducting operations under part 91 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 1 which has entered into an agreement with the Secretary of Homeland Security pursuant to subsection (e). The Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized to require a carrier conducting operations under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or a domestic corporation conducting operations under part 91 of that title, to give suitable and proper bond, in such reasonable amount and containing such conditions as the Secretary of Homeland Security may deem sufficient to ensure compliance with the indemnification requirements of this section, as a term of such an agreement. (6) Not a safety threat The alien has been determined not to represent a threat to the welfare, health, safety, or security of the United States. (7) No previous violation If the alien previously was admitted without a visa under this section, the alien must not have failed to comply with the conditions of any previous admission as such a nonimmigrant. (8) Round-trip ticket The alien is in possession of a round-trip transportation ticket (unless this requirement is waived by the Secretary of Homeland Security under regulations or the alien is arriving at the port of entry on an aircraft operated under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, or a noncommercial aircraft that is owned or operated by a domestic corporation conducting operations under part 91 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations). (9) Automated system check The identity of the alien has been checked using an automated electronic database containing information about the inadmissibility of aliens to uncover any gr...

21 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1226 Apprehension and detention of aliens Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1226

The law today

(a) Arrest, detention, and release On a warrant issued by the Attorney General, an alien may be arrested and detained pending a decision on whether the alien is to be removed from the United States. Except as provided in subsection (c) and pending such decision, the Attorney General— (1) may continue to detain the arrested alien; and (2) may release the alien on— (A) bond of at least $1,500 with security approved by, and containing conditions prescribed by, the Attorney General; or (B) conditional parole; but (3) may not provide the alien with work authorization (including an “employment authorized” endorsement or other appropriate work permit), unless the alien is lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise would (without regard to removal proceedings) be provided such authorization. (b) Revocation of bond or parole The Attorney General at any time may revoke a bond or parole authorized under subsection (a), rearrest the alien under the original warrant, and detain the alien. (c) Detention of criminal aliens (1) Custody The Attorney General shall take into custody any alien who— (A) is inadmissible by reason of having committed any offense covered in section 1182(a)(2) of this title, (B) is deportable by reason of having committed any offense covered in section 1227(a)(2)(A)(ii), (A)(iii), (B), (C), or (D) of this title, (C) is deportable under section 1227(a)(2)(A)(i) of this title on the basis of an offense for which the alien has been sentence 1 to a term of imprisonment of at least 1 year, (D) is inadmissible under section 1182(a)(3)(B) of this title or deportable under section 1227(a)(4)(B) of this title, or (E) (i) is inadmissible under paragraph (6)(A), (6)(C), or (7) of section 1182(a) of this title; and (ii) is charged with, is arrested for, is convicted of, admits having committed, or admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of any burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, or assault of a law enforcement officer offense, or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person, when the alien is released, without regard to whether the alien is released on parole, supervised release, or probation, and without regard to whether the alien may be arrested or imprisoned again for the same offense. (2) Definition For purposes of paragraph (1)(E), the terms “burglary”, “theft”, “larceny”, “shoplifting”, “assault of a law enforcement officer”, and “serious bodily injury” have the meanings given such terms in the jurisdiction in which the acts occurred. (3) Detainer The Secretary of Homeland Security shall issue a detainer for an alien described in paragraph (1)(E) and, if the alien is not otherwise detained by Federal, State, or local officials, shall effectively and expeditiously take custody of the alien. (4) Release The Attorney General may release an alien described in paragraph (1) only if the Attorney General decides pursuant to section 3521 of title 18 that release of the alien from custody is necessary to provide protection to a witness, a potential witness, a person cooperating with an investigation into major criminal activity, or an immediate family member or close associate of a witness, potential witness, or person cooperating with such an investigation, and the alien satisfies the Attorney General that the alien will not pose a danger to the safety of other persons or of property and is likely to appear for any scheduled proceeding. A decision relating to such release shall take place in accordance with a procedure that considers the severity of the offense committed by the alien. (d) Identification of criminal aliens (1) The Attorney General shall devise and implement a system— (A) to make available, daily (on a 24-hour basis), to Federal, State, and local authorities the investigative resources of the Service to determine whether individuals arrested by such authorities for aggravated felonies are aliens; (B) to designate and train officers and employees ...

112 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1229a Removal proceedings Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1229a — at 1229a(c)(7)(C)

The law today

(a) Proceeding (1) In general An immigration judge shall conduct proceedings for deciding the inadmissibility or deportability of an alien. (2) Charges An alien placed in proceedings under this section may be charged with any applicable ground of inadmissibility under section 1182(a) of this title or any applicable ground of deportability under section 1227(a) of this title. (3) Exclusive procedures Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, a proceeding under this section shall be the sole and exclusive procedure for determining whether an alien may be admitted to the United States or, if the alien has been so admitted, removed from the United States. Nothing in this section shall affect proceedings conducted pursuant to section 1228 of this title. (b) Conduct of proceeding (1) Authority of immigration judge The immigration judge shall administer oaths, receive evidence, and interrogate, examine, and cross-examine the alien and any witnesses. The immigration judge may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and presentation of evidence. The immigration judge shall have authority (under regulations prescribed by the Attorney General) to sanction by civil money penalty any action (or inaction) in contempt of the judge’s proper exercise of authority under this chapter. (2) Form of proceeding (A) In general The proceeding may take place— (i) in person, (ii) where agreed to by the parties, in the absence of the alien, (iii) through video conference, or (iv) subject to subparagraph (B), through telephone conference. (B) Consent required in certain cases An evidentiary hearing on the merits may only be conducted through a telephone conference with the consent of the alien involved after the alien has been advised of the right to proceed in person or through video conference. (3) Presence of alien If it is impracticable by reason of an alien’s mental incompetency for the alien to be present at the proceeding, the Attorney General shall prescribe safeguards to protect the rights and privileges of the alien. (4) Alien’s rights in proceeding In proceedings under this section, under regulations of the Attorney General— (A) the alien shall have the privilege of being represented, at no expense to the Government, by counsel of the alien’s choosing who is authorized to practice in such proceedings, (B) the alien shall have a reasonable opportunity to examine the evidence against the alien, to present evidence on the alien’s own behalf, and to cross-examine witnesses presented by the Government but these rights shall not entitle the alien to examine such national security information as the Government may proffer in opposition to the alien’s admission to the United States or to an application by the alien for discretionary relief under this chapter, and (C) a complete record shall be kept of all testimony and evidence produced at the proceeding. (5) Consequences of failure to appear (A) In general Any alien who, after written notice required under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 1229(a) of this title has been provided to the alien or the alien’s counsel of record, does not attend a proceeding under this section, shall be ordered removed in absentia if the Service establishes by clear, unequivocal, and convincing evidence that the written notice was so provided and that the alien is removable (as defined in subsection (e)(2)). The written notice by the Attorney General shall be considered sufficient for purposes of this subparagraph if provided at the most recent address provided under section 1229(a)(1)(F) of this title. (B) No notice if failure to provide address information No written notice shall be required under subparagraph (A) if the alien has failed to provide the address required under section 1229(a)(1)(F) of this title. (C) Rescission of order Such an order may be rescinded only— (i) upon a motion to reopen filed within 180 days after the date of the order of removal if the alien demonstrates that the failure to appear...

93 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1229b Cancellation of removal; adjustment of status Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1229b — at 1229b(b)(2)(A)(iv), 1229b(b)(2), and 1229b(b)(2)(A)(i)

The law today

(a) Cancellation of removal for certain permanent residents The Attorney General may cancel removal in the case of an alien who is inadmissible or deportable from the United States if the alien— (1) has been an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence for not less than 5 years, (2) has resided in the United States continuously for 7 years after having been admitted in any status, and (3) has not been convicted of any aggravated felony. (b) Cancellation of removal and adjustment of status for certain nonpermanent residents (1) In general The Attorney General may cancel removal of, and adjust to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, an alien who is inadmissible or deportable from the United States if the alien— (A) has been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of not less than 10 years immediately preceding the date of such application; (B) has been a person of good moral character during such period; (C) has not been convicted of an offense under section 1182(a)(2), 1227(a)(2), or 1227(a)(3) of this title, subject to paragraph (5); and (D) establishes that removal would result in exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to the alien’s spouse, parent, or child, who is a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. (2) Special rule for battered spouse or child (A) Authority The Attorney General may cancel removal of, and adjust to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, an alien who is inadmissible or deportable from the United States if the alien demonstrates that— (i) (I) the alien has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by a spouse or parent who is or was a United States citizen (or is the parent of a child of a United States citizen and the child has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by such citizen parent); (II) the alien has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by a spouse or parent who is or was a lawful permanent resident (or is the parent of a child of an alien who is or was a lawful permanent resident and the child has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by such permanent resident parent); or (III) the alien has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident whom the alien intended to marry, but whose marriage is not legitimate because of that United States citizen’s or lawful permanent resident’s bigamy; (ii) the alien has been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of not less than 3 years immediately preceding the date of such application, and the issuance of a charging document for removal proceedings shall not toll the 3-year period of continuous physical presence in the United States; (iii) the alien has been a person of good moral character during such period, subject to the provisions of subparagraph (C); (iv) the alien is not inadmissible under paragraph (2) or (3) of section 1182(a) of this title, is not deportable under paragraphs (1)(G) or (2) through (4) of section 1227(a) of this title, subject to paragraph (5), and has not been convicted of an aggravated felony; and (v) the removal would result in extreme hardship to the alien, the alien’s child, or the alien’s parent. (B) Physical presence Notwithstanding subsection (d)(2), for purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii) or for purposes of section 1254(a)(3) of this title (as in effect before the title III–A effective date in section 309 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996), an alien shall not be considered to have failed to maintain continuous physical presence by reason of an absence if the alien demonstrates a connection between the absence and the battering or extreme cruelty perpetrated against the alien. No absence or portion of an absence connected to the battering or extreme cruelty shall count toward the 90-day or 180-day limits established in subsection (d)(2). If any ...

32 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1231 Detention and removal of aliens ordered removed Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1231

The law today

(a) Detention, release, and removal of aliens ordered removed (1) Removal period (A) In general Except as otherwise provided in this section, when an alien is ordered removed, the Attorney General shall remove the alien from the United States within a period of 90 days (in this section referred to as the “removal period”). (B) Beginning of period The removal period begins on the latest of the following: (i) The date the order of removal becomes administratively final. (ii) If the removal order is judicially reviewed and if a court orders a stay of the removal of the alien, the date of the court’s final order. (iii) If the alien is detained or confined (except under an immigration process), the date the alien is released from detention or confinement. (C) Suspension of period The removal period shall be extended beyond a period of 90 days and the alien may remain in detention during such extended period if the alien fails or refuses to make timely application in good faith for travel or other documents necessary to the alien’s departure or conspires or acts to prevent the alien’s removal subject to an order of removal. (2) Detention (A) In general During the removal period, the Attorney General shall detain the alien. Under no circumstance during the removal period shall the Attorney General release an alien who has been found inadmissible under section 1182(a)(2) or 1182(a)(3)(B) of this title or deportable under section 1227(a)(2) or 1227(a)(4)(B) of this title. (B) Enforcement by attorney general of a State The attorney general of a State, or other authorized State officer, alleging a violation of the detention requirement under subparagraph (A) that harms such State or its residents shall have standing to bring an action against the Secretary of Homeland Security on behalf of such State or the residents of such State in an appropriate district court of the United States to obtain appropriate injunctive relief. The court shall advance on the docket and expedite the disposition of a civil action filed under this subparagraph to the greatest extent practicable. For purposes of this subparagraph, a State or its residents shall be considered to have been harmed if the State or its residents experience harm, including financial harm in excess of $100. (3) Supervision after 90-day period If the alien does not leave or is not removed within the removal period, the alien, pending removal, shall be subject to supervision under regulations prescribed by the Attorney General. The regulations shall include provisions requiring the alien— (A) to appear before an immigration officer periodically for identification; (B) to submit, if necessary, to a medical and psychiatric examination at the expense of the United States Government; (C) to give information under oath about the alien’s nationality, circumstances, habits, associations, and activities, and other information the Attorney General considers appropriate; and (D) to obey reasonable written restrictions on the alien’s conduct or activities that the Attorney General prescribes for the alien. (4) Aliens imprisoned, arrested, or on parole, supervised release, or probation (A) In general Except as provided in section 259(a) 1 of title 42 and paragraph (2),2 the Attorney General may not remove an alien who is sentenced to imprisonment until the alien is released from imprisonment. Parole, supervised release, probation, or possibility of arrest or further imprisonment is not a reason to defer removal. (B) Exception for removal of nonviolent offenders prior to completion of sentence of imprisonment The Attorney General is authorized to remove an alien in accordance with applicable procedures under this chapter before the alien has completed a sentence of imprisonment— (i) in the case of an alien in the custody of the Attorney General, if the Attorney General determines that (I) the alien is confined pursuant to a final conviction for a nonviolent offense (other than an offense related t...

89 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1252 Judicial review of orders of removal Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1252 — at 1252(a)(1)

The law today

(a) Applicable provisions (1) General orders of removal Judicial review of a final order of removal (other than an order of removal without a hearing pursuant to section 1225(b)(1) of this title) is governed only by chapter 158 of title 28, except as provided in subsection (b) and except that the court may not order the taking of additional evidence under section 2347(c) of such title. (2) Matters not subject to judicial review (A) Review relating to section 1225(b)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law (statutory or nonstatutory), including section 2241 of title 28, or any other habeas corpus provision, and sections 1361 and 1651 of such title, no court shall have jurisdiction to review— (i) except as provided in subsection (e), any individual determination or to entertain any other cause or claim arising from or relating to the implementation or operation of an order of removal pursuant to section 1225(b)(1) of this title, (ii) except as provided in subsection (e), a decision by the Attorney General to invoke the provisions of such section, (iii) the application of such section to individual aliens, including the determination made under section 1225(b)(1)(B) of this title, or (iv) except as provided in subsection (e), procedures and policies adopted by the Attorney General to implement the provisions of section 1225(b)(1) of this title. (B) Denials of discretionary relief Notwithstanding any other provision of law (statutory or nonstatutory), including section 2241 of title 28, or any other habeas corpus provision, and sections 1361 and 1651 of such title, and except as provided in subparagraph (D), and regardless of whether the judgment, decision, or action is made in removal proceedings, no court shall have jurisdiction to review— (i) any judgment regarding the granting of relief under section 1182(h), 1182(i), 1229b, 1229c, or 1255 of this title, or (ii) any other decision or action of the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority for which is specified under this subchapter to be in the discretion of the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security, other than the granting of relief under section 1158(a) of this title. (C) Orders against criminal aliens Notwithstanding any other provision of law (statutory or nonstatutory), including section 2241 of title 28, or any other habeas corpus provision, and sections 1361 and 1651 of such title, and except as provided in subparagraph (D), no court shall have jurisdiction to review any final order of removal against an alien who is removable by reason of having committed a criminal offense covered in section 1182(a)(2) or 1227(a)(2)(A)(iii), (B), (C), or (D) of this title, or any offense covered by section 1227(a)(2)(A)(ii) of this title for which both predicate offenses are, without regard to their date of commission, otherwise covered by section 1227(a)(2)(A)(i) of this title. (D) Judicial review of certain legal claims Nothing in subparagraph (B) or (C), or in any other provision of this chapter (other than this section) which limits or eliminates judicial review, shall be construed as precluding review of constitutional claims or questions of law raised upon a petition for review filed with an appropriate court of appeals in accordance with this section. (3) Treatment of certain decisions No alien shall have a right to appeal from a decision of an immigration judge which is based solely on a certification described in section 1229a(c)(1)(B) of this title. (4) Claims under the United Nations Convention Notwithstanding any other provision of law (statutory or nonstatutory), including section 2241 of title 28, or any other habeas corpus provision, and sections 1361 and 1651 of such title, a petition for review filed with an appropriate court of appeals in accordance with this section shall be the sole and exclusive means for judicial review of any cause or claim under the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Forms o...

29 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1255 Adjustment of status of nonimmigrant to that of person admitted for permanent residence Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1255 — at 1255(m)(3) and 1255(d)

The law today

(a) Status as person admitted for permanent residence on application and eligibility for immigrant visa The status of an alien who was inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States or the status of any other alien having an approved petition for classification as a VAWA self-petitioner may be adjusted by the Attorney General, in his discretion and under such regulations as he may prescribe, to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence if (1) the alien makes an application for such adjustment, (2) the alien is eligible to receive an immigrant visa and is admissible to the United States for permanent residence, and (3) an immigrant visa is immediately available to him at the time his application is filed. (b) Record of lawful admission for permanent residence; reduction of preference visas Upon the approval of an application for adjustment made under subsection (a), the Attorney General shall record the alien’s lawful admission for permanent residence as of the date the order of the Attorney General approving the application for the adjustment of status is made, and the Secretary of State shall reduce by one the number of the preference visas authorized to be issued under sections 1152 and 1153 of this title within the class to which the alien is chargeable for the fiscal year then current. (c) Alien crewmen, aliens continuing or accepting unauthorized employment, and aliens admitted in transit without visa Other than an alien having an approved petition for classification as a VAWA self-petitioner, subsection (a) shall not be applicable to (1) an alien crewman; (2) subject to subsection (k), an alien (other than an immediate relative as defined in section 1151(b) of this title or a special immigrant described in section 1101(a)(27)(H), (I), (J), or (K) of this title) who hereafter continues in or accepts unauthorized employment prior to filing an application for adjustment of status or who is in unlawful immigration status on the date of filing the application for adjustment of status or who has failed (other than through no fault of his own or for technical reasons) to maintain continuously a lawful status since entry into the United States; (3) any alien admitted in transit without visa under section 1182(d)(4)(C) of this title; (4) an alien (other than an immediate relative as defined in section 1151(b) of this title) who was admitted as a nonimmigrant visitor without a visa under section 1182(l) of this title or section 1187 of this title; (5) an alien who was admitted as a nonimmigrant described in section 1101(a)(15)(S) of this title,1 (6) an alien who is deportable under section 1227(a)(4)(B) of this title; (7) any alien who seeks adjustment of status to that of an immigrant under section 1153(b) of this title and is not in a lawful nonimmigrant status; or (8) any alien who was employed while the alien was an unauthorized alien, as defined in section 1324a(h)(3) of this title, or who has otherwise violated the terms of a nonimmigrant visa. (d) Alien admitted for permanent residence on conditional basis; fiancee or fiance of citizen The Attorney General may not adjust, under subsection (a), the status of an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence on a conditional basis under section 1186a of this title. The Attorney General may not adjust, under subsection (a), the status of a nonimmigrant alien described in section 1101(a)(15)(K) of this title except to that of an alien lawfully admitted to the United States on a conditional basis under section 1186a of this title as a result of the marriage of the nonimmigrant (or, in the case of a minor child, the parent) to the citizen who filed the petition to accord that alien’s nonimmigrant status under section 1101(a)(15)(K) of this title. (e) Restriction on adjustment of status based on marriages entered while in admissibility or deportation proceedings; bona fide marriage exception (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3...

87 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1324d Civil penalties for failure to depart Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1324d

The law today

(a) In general Any alien subject to a final order of removal who— (1) willfully fails or refuses to— (A) depart from the United States pursuant to the order, (B) make timely application in good faith for travel or other documents necessary for departure, or (C) present for removal at the time and place required by the Attorney General; or (2) conspires to or takes any action designed to prevent or hamper the alien’s departure pursuant to the order, shall pay a civil penalty of not more than $500 to the Commissioner for each day the alien is in violation of this section. (b) Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to diminish or qualify any penalties to which an alien may be subject for activities proscribed by section 1253(a) of this title or any other section of this chapter.

7 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1357 Powers of immigration officers and employees Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1357

The law today

(a) Powers without warrant Any officer or employee of the Service authorized under regulations prescribed by the Attorney General shall have power without warrant— (1) to interrogate any alien or person believed to be an alien as to his right to be or to remain in the United States; (2) to arrest any alien who in his presence or view is entering or attempting to enter the United States in violation of any law or regulation made in pursuance of law regulating the admission, exclusion, expulsion, or removal of aliens, or to arrest any alien in the United States, if he has reason to believe that the alien so arrested is in the United States in violation of any such law or regulation and is likely to escape before a warrant can be obtained for his arrest, but the alien arrested shall be taken without unnecessary delay for examination before an officer of the Service having authority to examine aliens as to their right to enter or remain in the United States; (3) within a reasonable distance from any external boundary of the United States, to board and search for aliens any vessel within the territorial waters of the United States and any railway car, aircraft, conveyance, or vehicle, and within a distance of twenty-five miles from any such external boundary to have access to private lands, but not dwellings, for the purpose of patrolling the border to prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the United States; (4) to make arrests for felonies which have been committed and which are cognizable under any law of the United States regulating the admission, exclusion, expulsion, or removal of aliens, if he has reason to believe that the person so arrested is guilty of such felony and if there is likelihood of the person escaping before a warrant can be obtained for his arrest, but the person arrested shall be taken without unnecessary delay before the nearest available officer empowered to commit persons charged with offenses against the laws of the United States; and (5) to make arrests— (A) for any offense against the United States, if the offense is committed in the officer’s or employee’s presence, or (B) for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States, if the officer or employee has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing such a felony, if the officer or employee is performing duties relating to the enforcement of the immigration laws at the time of the arrest and if there is a likelihood of the person escaping before a warrant can be obtained for his arrest. Under regulations prescribed by the Attorney General, an officer or employee of the Service may carry a firearm and may execute and serve any order, warrant, subpoena, summons, or other process issued under the authority of the United States. The authority to make arrests under paragraph (5)(B) shall only be effective on and after the date on which the Attorney General publishes final regulations which (i) prescribe the categories of officers and employees of the Service who may use force (including deadly force) and the circumstances under which such force may be used, (ii) establish standards with respect to enforcement activities of the Service, (iii) require that any officer or employee of the Service is not authorized to make arrests under paragraph (5)(B) unless the officer or employee has received certification as having completed a training program which covers such arrests and standards described in clause (ii), and (iv) establish an expedited, internal review process for violations of such standards, which process is consistent with standard agency procedure regarding confidentiality of matters related to internal investigations. (b) Administration of oath; taking of evidence Any officer or employee of the Service designated by the Attorney General, whether individually or as one of a class, shall have power and authority to administer oaths and to take and consider evidence concerning the privileg...

100 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1367 Penalties for disclosure of information Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1367

The law today

(a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), in no case may the Attorney General, or any other official or employee of the Department of Justice, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State, or any other official or employee of the Department of Homeland Security or Department of State (including any bureau or agency of either of such Departments)— (1) make an adverse determination of admissibility or deportability of an alien under the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.] using information furnished solely by— (A) a spouse or parent who has battered the alien or subjected the alien to extreme cruelty, (B) a member of the spouse’s or parent’s family residing in the same household as the alien who has battered the alien or subjected the alien to extreme cruelty when the spouse or parent consented to or acquiesced in such battery or cruelty, (C) a spouse or parent who has battered the alien’s child or subjected the alien’s child to extreme cruelty (without the active participation of the alien in the battery or extreme cruelty), (D) a member of the spouse’s or parent’s family residing in the same household as the alien who has battered the alien’s child or subjected the alien’s child to extreme cruelty when the spouse or parent consented to or acquiesced in such battery or cruelty and the alien did not actively participate in such battery or cruelty, (E) in the case of an alien applying for status under section 101(a)(15)(U) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(U)], the perpetrator of the substantial physical or mental abuse and the criminal activity,1 (F) in the case of an alien applying for status under section 101(a)(15)(T) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(T)), under section 7105(b)(1)(E)(i)(II)(bb) of title 22, under section 244(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a(a)(3)), as in effect prior to March 31, 1999, or as a VAWA self-petitioner (as defined in section 101(a)(51) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(51)) 2, the trafficker or perpetrator, unless the alien has been convicted of a crime or crimes listed in section 237(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(2)]; or (2) permit use by or disclosure to anyone (other than a sworn officer or employee of the Department, or bureau or agency thereof, for legitimate Department, bureau, or agency purposes) of any information which relates to an alien who is the beneficiary of an application for relief under paragraph (15)(T), (15)(U), or (51) of section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(T), (U), (51)] or section 240A(b)(2) of such Act [8 U.S.C. 1229b(b)(2)]. The limitation under paragraph (2) ends when the application for relief is denied and all opportunities for appeal of the denial have been exhausted. (b) Exceptions (1) The Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General may provide, in the Secretary’s or the Attorney General’s discretion, for the disclosure of information in the same manner and circumstances as census information may be disclosed by the Secretary of Commerce under section 8 of title 13. (2) The Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General may provide in the discretion of the Secretary or the Attorney General for the disclosure of information to law enforcement officials to be used solely for a legitimate law enforcement purpose in a manner that protects the confidentiality of such information. (3) Subsection (a) shall not be construed as preventing disclosure of information in connection with judicial review of a determination in a manner that protects the confidentiality of such information. (4) Subsection (a)(2) shall not apply if all the battered individuals in the case are adults and they have all waived the restrictions of such subsection. (5) The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General are authorized to disclose information,...

14 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1430 Married persons and employees of certain nonprofit organizations Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1430 — at 1430(a)

The law today

(a) Any person whose spouse is a citizen of the United States, or any person who obtained status as a lawful permanent resident by reason of his or her status as a spouse or child of a United States citizen who battered him or her or subjected him or her to extreme cruelty, may be naturalized upon compliance with all the requirements of this subchapter except the provisions of paragraph (1) of section 1427(a) of this title if such person immediately preceding the date of filing his application for naturalization has resided continuously, after being lawfully admitted for permanent residence, within the United States for at least three years, and during the three years immediately preceding the date of filing his application has been living in marital union with the citizen spouse (except in the case of a person who has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by a United States citizen spouse or parent), who has been a United States citizen during all of such period, and has been physically present in the United States for periods totaling at least half of that time and has resided within the State or the district of the Service in the United States in which the applicant filed his application for at least three months. (b) Any person, (1) whose spouse is (A) a citizen of the United States, (B) in the employment of the Government of the United States, or of an American institution of research recognized as such by the Attorney General, or of an American firm or corporation engaged in whole or in part in the development of foreign trade and commerce of the United States, or a subsidiary thereof, or of a public international organization in which the United States participates by treaty or statute, or is authorized to perform the ministerial or priestly functions of a religious denomination having a bona fide organization within the United States, or is engaged solely as a missionary by a religious denomination or by an interdenominational mission organization having a bona fide organization within the United States, and (C) regularly stationed abroad in such employment, and (2) who is in the United States at the time of naturalization, and (3) who declares before the Attorney General in good faith an intention to take up residence within the United States immediately upon the termination of such employment abroad of the citizen spouse, may be naturalized upon compliance with all the requirements of the naturalization laws, except that no prior residence or specified period of physical presence within the United States or within a State or a district of the Service in the United States or proof thereof shall be required. (c) Any person who (1) is employed by a bona fide United States incorporated nonprofit organization which is principally engaged in conducting abroad through communications media the dissemination of information which significantly promotes United States interests abroad and which is recognized as such by the Attorney General, and (2) has been so employed continuously for a period of not less than five years after a lawful admission for permanent residence, and (3) who files his application for naturalization while so employed or within six months following the termination thereof, and (4) who is in the United States at the time of naturalization, and (5) who declares before the Attorney General in good faith an intention to take up residence within the United States immediately upon termination of such employment, may be naturalized upon compliance with all the requirements of this subchapter except that no prior residence or specified period of physical presence within the United States or any State or district of the Service in the United States, or proof thereof, shall be required. (d) Any person who is the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a United States citizen, whose citizen spouse, parent, or child dies during a period of honorable service in an active duty status in the Armed Forces of the ...

18 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗

Restricting welfare and public benefits for aliens · 8 U.S.C. ch. 14 4 sections Amends the act as a whole

§ 1611 Aliens who are not qualified aliens ineligible for Federal public benefits Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1611

The law today

(a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided in subsection (b), an alien who is not a qualified alien (as defined in section 1641 of this title) is not eligible for any Federal public benefit (as defined in subsection (c)). (b) Exceptions (1) Subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to the following Federal public benefits: (A) Medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.] (or any successor program to such title) for care and services that are necessary for the treatment of an emergency medical condition (as defined in section 1903(v)(3) of such Act [42 U.S.C. 1396b(v)(3)]) of the alien involved and are not related to an organ transplant procedure, if the alien involved otherwise meets the eligibility requirements for medical assistance under the State plan approved under such title (other than the requirement of the receipt of aid or assistance under title IV of such Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.], supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of such Act [42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.], or a State supplementary payment). (B) Short-term, non-cash, in-kind emergency disaster relief. (C) Public health assistance (not including any assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.]) for immunizations with respect to immunizable diseases and for testing and treatment of symptoms of communicable diseases whether or not such symptoms are caused by a communicable disease. (D) Programs, services, or assistance (such as soup kitchens, crisis counseling and intervention, and short-term shelter) specified by the Attorney General, in the Attorney General’s sole and unreviewable discretion after consultation with appropriate Federal agencies and departments, which (i) deliver in-kind services at the community level, including through public or private nonprofit agencies; (ii) do not condition the provision of assistance, the amount of assistance provided, or the cost of assistance provided on the individual recipient’s income or resources; and (iii) are necessary for the protection of life or safety. (E) Programs for housing or community development assistance or financial assistance administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, any program under title V of the Housing Act of 1949 [42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.], or any assistance under section 1926c of title 7, to the extent that the alien is receiving such a benefit on August 22, 1996. (2) Subsection (a) shall not apply to any benefit payable under title II of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.] to an alien who is lawfully present in the United States as determined by the Attorney General, to any benefit if nonpayment of such benefit would contravene an international agreement described in section 233 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 433], to any benefit if nonpayment would be contrary to section 202(t) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 402(t)], or to any benefit payable under title II of the Social Security Act to which entitlement is based on an application filed in or before August 1996. (3) Subsection (a) shall not apply to any benefit payable under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.] (relating to the medicare program) to an alien who is lawfully present in the United States as determined by the Attorney General and, with respect to benefits payable under part A of such title [42 U.S.C. 1395c et seq.], who was authorized to be employed with respect to any wages attributable to employment which are counted for purposes of eligibility for such benefits. (4) Subsection (a) shall not apply to any benefit payable under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 [45 U.S.C. 231 et seq.] or the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act [45 U.S.C. 351 et seq.] to an alien who is lawfully present in the United States as determined by the Attorney General or to an alien residing outside the United States. (5) Subsection (a) shall not apply ...

10 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1614 Notification and information reporting Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1614

The law today

Each Federal agency that administers a program to which section 1611, 1612, or 1613 of this title applies shall, directly or through the States, post information and provide general notification to the public and to program recipients of the changes regarding eligibility for any such program pursuant to this subchapter.

6 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1615 Requirements relating to provision of benefits based on citizenship, alienage, or immigration status under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, and certain other Acts Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1615

The law today

(a) School lunch and breakfast programs Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, an individual who is eligible to receive free public education benefits under State or local law shall not be ineligible to receive benefits provided under the school lunch program under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) or the school breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) on the basis of citizenship, alienage, or immigration status. (b) Other programs (1) In general Nothing in this Act shall prohibit or require a State to provide to an individual who is not a citizen or a qualified alien, as defined in section 1641(b) of this title, benefits under programs established under the provisions of law described in paragraph (2). (2) Provisions of law described The provisions of law described in this paragraph are the following: (A) Programs (other than the school lunch program and the school breakfast program) under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.). (B) Section 4 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note). (C) The Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 [7 U.S.C 7501 et seq.]. (D) The food distribution program on Indian reservations established under section 2013(b) of title 7.

9 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1641 Definitions Amends

8 U.S.C. § 1641

The law today

(a) In general Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the terms used in this chapter have the same meaning given such terms in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1101(a)]. (b) Qualified alien For purposes of this chapter, the term “qualified alien” means an alien who, at the time the alien applies for, receives, or attempts to receive a Federal public benefit, is— (1) an alien who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.], (2) an alien who is granted asylum under section 208 of such Act [8 U.S.C. 1158], (3) a refugee who is admitted to the United States under section 207 of such Act [8 U.S.C. 1157], (4) an alien who is paroled into the United States under section 212(d)(5) of such Act [8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)] for a period of at least 1 year, (5) an alien whose deportation is being withheld under section 243(h) of such Act [8 U.S.C. 1253] (as in effect immediately before the effective date of section 307 of division C of Public Law 104–208) or section 241(b)(3) of such Act [8 U.S.C. 1231(b)(3)] (as amended by section 305(a) of division C of Public Law 104–208), (6) an alien who is granted conditional entry pursuant to section 203(a)(7) of such Act [8 U.S.C. 1153(a)(7)] as in effect prior to April 1, 1980, (7) an alien who is a Cuban and Haitian entrant (as defined in section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980), or (8) an individual who lawfully resides in the United States in accordance with a Compact of Free Association referred to in section 1612(b)(2)(G) of this title. (c) Treatment of certain battered aliens as qualified aliens For purposes of this chapter, the term “qualified alien” includes— (1) an alien who— (A) has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty in the United States by a spouse or a parent, or by a member of the spouse or parent’s family residing in the same household as the alien and the spouse or parent consented to, or acquiesced in, such battery or cruelty, but only if (in the opinion of the agency providing such benefits) there is a substantial connection between such battery or cruelty and the need for the benefits to be provided; and (B) has been approved or has a petition pending which sets forth a prima facie case for— (i) status as a spouse or a child of a United States citizen pursuant to clause (ii), (iii), or (iv) of section 204(a)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)(A)(ii), (iii), (iv)], (ii) classification pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) of section 204(a)(1)(B) of the Act [8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)(B)(ii), (iii)], (iii) suspension of deportation under section 244(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1254(a)(3)] (as in effect before the title III–A effective date in section 309 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996).1 (iv) status as a spouse or child of a United States citizen pursuant to clause (i) of section 204(a)(1)(A) of such Act [8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)(A)(i)], or classification pursuant to clause (i) of section 204(a)(1)(B) of such Act [8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)(B)(i)]; 2 (v) cancellation of removal pursuant to section 240A(b)(2) of such Act [8 U.S.C. 1229b(b)(2)]; (2) an alien— (A) whose child has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty in the United States by a spouse or a parent of the alien (without the active participation of the alien in the battery or cruelty), or by a member of the spouse or parent’s family residing in the same household as the alien and the spouse or parent consented or acquiesced to such battery or cruelty, and the alien did not actively participate in such battery or cruelty, but only if (in the opinion of the agency providing such benefits) there is a substantial connection between such battery or cruelty and the need for the benefits to be provided; and (B) who meets the requirement of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1); (3) an alien child who— (A) resides in...

36 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗

Normal taxes and surtaxes · 26 U.S.C. ch. 1 1 section

§ 36B Refundable credit for coverage under a qualified health plan Amends

26 U.S.C. § 36B — at 36B(c)(1)(B)

The law today

(a) In general In the case of an applicable taxpayer, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle for any taxable year an amount equal to the premium assistance credit amount of the taxpayer for the taxable year. (b) Premium assistance credit amount For purposes of this section— (1) In general The term “premium assistance credit amount” means, with respect to any taxable year, the sum of the premium assistance amounts determined under paragraph (2) with respect to all coverage months of the taxpayer occurring during the taxable year. (2) Premium assistance amount The premium assistance amount determined under this subsection with respect to any coverage month is the amount equal to the lesser of— (A) the monthly premiums for such month for 1 or more qualified health plans offered in the individual market within a State which cover the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s spouse, or any dependent (as defined in section 152) of the taxpayer and which were enrolled in through an Exchange established by the State under 1311 1 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or (B) the excess (if any) of— (i) the adjusted monthly premium for such month for the applicable second lowest cost silver plan with respect to the taxpayer, over (ii) an amount equal to 1/12 of the product of the applicable percentage and the taxpayer’s household income for the taxable year. (3) Other terms and rules relating to premium assistance amounts For purposes of paragraph (2)— (A) Applicable percentage (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), the applicable percentage for any taxable year shall be the percentage such that the applicable percentage for any taxpayer whose household income is within an income tier specified in the following table shall increase, on a sliding scale in a linear manner, from the initial premium percentage to the final premium percentage specified in such table for such income tier: In the case of household income (expressed as a percent of poverty line) within the following income tier: The initial premium percentage is— The final premium percentage is— Up to 133% 2.0% 2.0% 133% up to 150% 3.0% 4.0% 150% up to 200% 4.0% 6.3% 200% up to 250% 6.3% 8.05% 250% up to 300% 8.05% 9.5% 300% up to 400% 9.5% 9.5%. (ii) Indexing (I) In general Subject to subclause (II), in the case of taxable years beginning in any calendar year after 2014, the initial and final applicable percentages under clause (i) (as in effect for the preceding calendar year after application of this clause) shall be adjusted to reflect the excess of the rate of premium growth for the preceding calendar year over the rate of income growth for the preceding calendar year. (II) Additional adjustment Except as provided in subclause (III), in the case of any calendar year after 2018, the percentages described in subclause (I) shall, in addition to the adjustment under subclause (I), be adjusted to reflect the excess (if any) of the rate of premium growth estimated under subclause (I) for the preceding calendar year over the rate of growth in the consumer price index for the preceding calendar year. (III) Failsafe Subclause (II) shall apply for any calendar year only if the aggregate amount of premium tax credits under this section and cost-sharing reductions under section 1402 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act for the preceding calendar year exceeds an amount equal to 0.504 percent of the gross domestic product for the preceding calendar year. (iii) Temporary percentages for 2021 through 2025 In the case of a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2020, and before January 1, 2026— (I) clause (ii) shall not apply for purposes of adjusting premium percentages under this subparagraph, and (II) the following table shall be applied in lieu of the table contained in clause (i): In the case of household income (expressed as a percent of poverty line) within the following income tier: The initial premium percentage is— Th...

192 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗

Social security · 42 U.S.C. ch. 7 3 sections

§ 1308 Additional grants to Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa; limitation on total payments Amends

42 U.S.C. § 1308 — at 1308(h)

The law today

(a) Limitation on total payments to each territory (1) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter (except for paragraph (2) of this subsection), the total amount certified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under subchapters I, X, XIV, and XVI, under parts A and E of subchapter IV, and under subsection (b) of this section, for payment to any territory for a fiscal year shall not exceed the ceiling amount for the territory for the fiscal year. (2) Certain payments disregarded Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be applied without regard to any payment made under section 603(a)(2), 603(a)(4), 603(a)(5), 606, 613(f), or 674(a)(6) of this title. (b) Entitlement to matching grant (1) In general Each territory shall be entitled to receive from the Secretary for each fiscal year a grant in an amount equal to 75 percent of the amount (if any) by which— (A) the total expenditures of the territory during the fiscal year under the territory programs funded under parts A and E of subchapter IV, including any amount paid to the State under part A of subchapter IV that is transferred in accordance with section 604(d) of this title and expended under the program to which transferred; exceeds (B) the sum of— (i) the amount of the family assistance grant payable to the territory without regard to section 609 of this title; and (ii) the total amount expended by the territory during fiscal year 1995 pursuant to parts A and F of subchapter IV (as so in effect), other than for child care. (2) Appropriation Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated for each of fiscal years 2017 and 2018, such sums as are necessary for grants under this paragraph. (c) Definitions As used in this section: (1) Territory The term “territory” means Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. (2) Ceiling amount The term “ceiling amount” means, with respect to a territory and a fiscal year, the mandatory ceiling amount with respect to the territory, reduced for the fiscal year in accordance with subsection (e),1 and reduced by the amount of any penalty imposed on the territory under any provision of law specified in subsection (a) during the fiscal year. (3) Family assistance grant The term “family assistance grant” has the meaning given such term by section 603(a)(1)(B) of this title. (4) Mandatory ceiling amount The term “mandatory ceiling amount” means— (A) $107,255,000 with respect to Puerto Rico; (B) $4,686,000 with respect to Guam; (C) $3,554,000 with respect to the Virgin Islands; and (D) $1,000,000 with respect to American Samoa. (5) Total amount expended by the territory The term “total amount expended by the territory”— (A) does not include expenditures during the fiscal year from amounts made available by the Federal Government; and (B) when used with respect to fiscal year 1995, also does not include— (i) expenditures during fiscal year 1995 under subsection (g) or (i) of section 602 of this title (as in effect on September 30, 1995); or (ii) any expenditures during fiscal year 1995 for which the territory (but for this section, as in effect on September 30, 1995) would have received reimbursement from the Federal Government. (d) Authority to transfer funds to certain programs A territory to which an amount is paid under subsection (b) of this section may use the amount in accordance with section 604(d) of this title. (e) Repealed. Pub. L. 105–33, title V, § 5512(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 619 (f) Total amount certified under subchapter XIX Subject to subsections (g) and (h) and section 1396u–5(e)(1)(B) of this title, the total amount certified by the Secretary under subchapter XIX with respect to a fiscal year for payment to— (1) Puerto Rico shall not exceed (A) $116,500,000 for fiscal year 1994 and (B) for each succeeding fiscal year the amount provided in this paragraph for the preceding fiscal year increased by the percentage increase in the ...

106 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1396b Payment to States Amends

42 U.S.C. § 1396b — at 1396b(v)

The law today

(a) Computation of amount From the sums appropriated therefor, the Secretary (except as otherwise provided in this section) shall pay to each State which has a plan approved under this subchapter, for each quarter, beginning with the quarter commencing January 1, 1966— (1) an amount equal to the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in section 1396d(b) of this title, subject to subsections (g) and (j) of this section and section 1396r–4(f) of this title) of the total amount expended during such quarter as medical assistance under the State plan; plus (2) (A) an amount equal to 75 per centum of so much of the sums expended during such quarter (as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan) as are attributable to compensation or training of skilled professional medical personnel, and staff directly supporting such personnel, of the State agency or any other public agency; plus (B) notwithstanding paragraph (1) or subparagraph (A), with respect to amounts expended for nursing aide training and competency evaluation programs, and competency evaluation programs, described in section 1396r(e)(1) of this title (including the costs for nurse aides to complete such competency evaluation programs), regardless of whether the programs are provided in or outside nursing facilities or of the skill of the personnel involved in such programs, an amount equal to 50 percent (or, for calendar quarters beginning on or after July 1, 1988, and before October 1, 1990, the lesser of 90 percent or the Federal medical assistance percentage plus 25 percentage points) of so much of the sums expended during such quarter (as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan) as are attributable to such programs; plus (C) an amount equal to 75 percent of so much of the sums expended during such quarter (as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan) as are attributable to preadmission screening and resident review activities conducted by the State under section 1396r(e)(7) of this title; plus (D) for each calendar quarter during— (i) fiscal year 1991, an amount equal to 90 percent, (ii) fiscal year 1992, an amount equal to 85 percent, (iii) fiscal year 1993, an amount equal to 80 percent, and (iv) fiscal year 1994 and thereafter, an amount equal to 75 percent, of so much of the sums expended during such quarter (as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan) as are attributable to State activities under section 1396r(g) of this title; plus (E) an amount equal to 75 percent of so much of the sums expended during such quarter (as found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan) as are attributable to translation or interpretation services in connection with the enrollment of, retention of, and use of services under this subchapter by, children of families for whom English is not the primary language; plus (3) an amount equal to— (A) (i) 90 per centum of so much of the sums expended during such quarter as are attributable to the design, development, or installation of such mechanized claims processing and information retrieval systems as the Secretary determines are likely to provide more efficient, economical, and effective administration of the plan and to be compatible with the claims processing and information retrieval systems utilized in the administration of subchapter XVIII, including the State’s share of the cost of installing such a system to be used jointly in the administration of such State’s plan and the plan of any other State approved under this subchapter, (ii) 90 per centum of so much of the sums expended during any such quarter in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1972, or the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973, as are attributable to the design, development, or installation of cost dete...

296 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗
§ 1397gg Strategic objectives and performance goals; plan administration Amends

42 U.S.C. § 1397gg — at 1397gg(e)(1)

The law today

(a) Strategic objectives and performance goals (1) Description A State child health plan shall include a description of— (A) the strategic objectives, (B) the performance goals, and (C) the performance measures, the State has established for providing child health assistance to targeted low-income children under the plan and otherwise for maximizing health benefits coverage for other low-income children and children generally in the State. (2) Strategic objectives Such plan shall identify specific strategic objectives relating to increasing the extent of creditable health coverage among targeted low-income children and other low-income children. (3) Performance goals Such plan shall specify one or more performance goals for each such strategic objective so identified. (4) Performance measures Such plan shall describe how performance under the plan will be— (A) measured through objective, independently verifiable means, and (B) compared against performance goals, in order to determine the State’s performance under this subchapter. (b) Records, reports, audits, and evaluation (1) Data collection, records, and reports A State child health plan shall include an assurance that the State will collect the data, maintain the records, and furnish the reports to the Secretary, at the times and in the standardized format the Secretary may require in order to enable the Secretary to monitor State program administration and compliance and to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of State plans under this subchapter. (2) State assessment and study A State child health plan shall include a description of the State’s plan for the annual assessments and reports under section 1397hh(a) of this title and the evaluation required by section 1397hh(b) of this title. (3) Audits A State child health plan shall include an assurance that the State will afford the Secretary access to any records or information relating to the plan for the purposes of review or audit. (c) Program development process A State child health plan shall include a description of the process used to involve the public in the design and implementation of the plan and the method for ensuring ongoing public involvement. (d) Program budget A State child health plan shall include a description of the budget for the plan. The description shall be updated periodically as necessary and shall include details on the planned use of funds and the sources of the non-Federal share of plan expenditures, including any requirements for cost-sharing by beneficiaries. (e) Application of certain general provisions The following sections of this chapter shall apply to States under this subchapter in the same manner as they apply to a State under subchapter XIX: (1) Subchapter XIX provisions (A) Section 1396a(a)(4)(C) of this title (relating to conflict of interest standards). (B) Section 1396a(a)(25) of this title (relating to third party liability). (C) Section 1396a(a)(39) of this title (relating to termination of participation of certain providers). (D) Section 1396a(a)(78) of this title (relating to enrollment of providers participating in State plans providing medical assistance on a fee-for-service basis). (E) Section 1396a(a)(72) of this title (relating to limiting FQHC contracting for provision of dental services). (F) Section 1396a(a)(73) of this title (relating to requiring certain States to seek advice from designees of Indian Health Programs and Urban Indian Organizations). (G) Subsections (a)(77) and (kk) of section 1396a of this title (relating to provider and supplier screening, oversight, and reporting requirements) and subsection (a)(83) of section 1396a of this title (relating to searchable directories of the providers described in subsection (mm) of such section). (H) Section 1396a(a)(88) of this title (relating to address information for enrollees and prevention of simultaneous enrollments). (I) Section 1396a(e)(13) of this title (relating to the State option to rely on findi...

112 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗

Low-income housing · 42 U.S.C. ch. 8 1 section

§ 1436a Restriction on use of assisted housing by non-resident aliens Amends

42 U.S.C. § 1436a — at 1436a(a)

The law today

(a) Conditions for assistance Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the applicable Secretary may not make financial assistance available for the benefit of any alien unless that alien is a resident of the United States and is— (1) an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence as an immigrant as defined by section 1101(a)(15) and (20) of title 8, excluding, among others, alien visitors, tourists, diplomats, and students who enter the United States temporarily with no intention of abandoning their residence in a foreign country; (2) an alien who entered the United States prior to June 30, 1948, or such subsequent date as is enacted by law, has continuously maintained his or her residence in the United States since then, and is not ineligible for citizenship, but who is deemed to be lawfully admitted for permanent residence as a result of an exercise of discretion by the Attorney General pursuant to section 1259 of title 8; (3) an alien who is lawfully present in the United States pursuant to an admission under section 1157 of title 8 or pursuant to the granting of asylum (which has not been terminated) under section 1158 of title 8; (4) an alien who is lawfully present in the United States as a result of an exercise of discretion by the Attorney General for emergent reasons or reasons deemed strictly in the public interest pursuant to section 1182(d)(5) of title 8; (5) an alien who is lawfully present in the United States as a result of the Attorney General’s withholding deportation pursuant to section 1231(b)(3) of title 8; (6) an alien lawfully admitted for temporary or permanent residence under section 1255a of title 8; or (7) an alien who is lawfully resident in the United States and its territories and possessions under section 141 of the Compacts of Free Association between the Government of the United States and the Governments of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (48 U.S.C. 1901 note) and Palau (48 U.S.C. 1931 note) while the applicable section is in effect: Provided, That, within Guam any any 1 citizen or national of the United States shall be entitled to a preference or priority in receiving financial assistance before any such alien who is otherwise eligible for assistance. (b) “Financial assistance” defined (1) For purposes of this section the term “financial assistance” means financial assistance made available pursuant to the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.], section 1715z or 1715z–1 of title 12, the direct loan program under section 1472 of this title or section 1472(c)(5)(D), 1474, 1490a(a)(2)(A), or 1490r of this title, subtitle A of title III of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act [42 U.S.C. 12851 et seq.], or section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 [12 U.S.C. 1701s]. (2) If the eligibility for financial assistance of at least one member of a family has been affirmatively established under the program of financial assistance and under this section, and the ineligibility of one or more family members has not been affirmatively established under this section, any financial assistance made available to that family by the applicable Secretary shall be prorated, based on the number of individuals in the family for whom eligibility has been affirmatively established under the program of financial assistance and under this section, as compared with the total number of individuals who are members of the family. (c) Preservation of families; students (1) If, following completion of the applicable hearing process, financial assistance for any individual receiving such assistance on February 5, 1988, is to be terminated, the public housing agency or other local governmental entity involved (in the case of public housing or assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f]) or the applicable Secretary (in the case of any other financial assistance) shall take one of the following actions...

28 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗

Also cites: 8 U.S.C. § 1612, 18 U.S.C. § 1351, 42 U.S.C. § 18001

How this bill changes current law

12 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends existing immigration law to extend benefits and protections to survivors of domestic violence and other crimes, including changes to U visa provisions and relief for abused derivative aliens.

8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(U)(i)(I)

~~``;''~~ → ``or civil violations described in clause (iv); and''

This change expands the definition of qualifying criminal activity for U visas to include civil violations.
8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(U)(i)

~~subclauses (II) and (III)~~

This deletes certain bases for U visa eligibility, likely broadening access to the visa category.
8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(U)(i)(IV)

~~(IV)~~ → (II)

This renumbers the clauses and indicates that civil violations are included in the eligibility criteria.
8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(U)

~~``;''~~ → ``or civil violations described in clause (iv)''

This inclusion allows civil violations related to criminal activities to qualify for U visa applications.
8 U.S.C. 1184(p)(1)

~~``filed with the Attorney General''~~ → ``filed with the Secretary of Homeland Security''

This change shifts the authority from the Attorney General to the Secretary of Homeland Security for the filing of U visa petitions.
8 U.S.C. 1184(p)

~~paragraph (2)~~

This removal eliminates the annual numerical cap on U visas, allowing potentially unlimited access to this visa category.
8 U.S.C. 1229c(d)(2)

~~``Application of vawa and tvpa protections.``~~ → ``Application of vawa and tvpa protections.--The restrictions on relief under paragraph (1) shall not apply to relief under section 240A or section 245 on the basis of--``

This allows for certain exceptions to deportation rules regarding victims of domestic violence and similar crimes.
8 U.S.C. 1184(p)(7)(A)

~~``unmarried''; and~~

This change removes the marital status restriction, allowing more flexibility for dependents.
8 U.S.C. 1184(p)(7)(B)

~~``but while it is pending''~~

This removes language that may have limited benefits for those waiting on their petitions.
8 U.S.C. 1255(m)(3)

~~``Upon approval''~~ → `(a) in general.-- Upon approval''

This clarifies the language regarding approval processes and conditions for certain cases.
8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(51)

~~``or''~~ → ``; or''

This expands the eligibility category for abused derivative aliens under immigration law.
8 U.S.C. 1105a

~~``(b) Relief for Abused Derivative Aliens.``~~ → `(a) Abused Derivative Alien Defined.-- In this section, the term 'abused derivative alien' means an alien who--`

This establishes definitions and clarifies eligibility for relief for abused derivative aliens.

Action History

April 10, 2025
Introduced in House
April 10, 2025
Introduced in House
April 10, 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Agriculture, Education and Workforce, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
April 10, 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Agriculture, Education and Workforce, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
April 10, 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Agriculture, Education and Workforce, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
April 10, 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Agriculture, Education and Workforce, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
April 10, 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Agriculture, Education and Workforce, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
April 10, 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Agriculture, Education and Workforce, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 43 co-sponsors · 503 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Jayapal, Pramila Democratic

Not signed on (503)

503 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 503 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Subjects

immigration civil-rights

Frequently asked questions

What does HR 2851 do?: Working for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment Act or the WISE ActThis bill expands eligibility for U nonimmigrant visas (victims of criminal activity) and prohibits immigration enforcement activities in specified areas.Generally, U visas are for victims of specified crimes (e.g., rape, trafficking, or domestic violence) who assist with the investigation or prosecution of the crime. The bill adds hate crimes, child abuse, and elder abuse as crimes that may qualify a victim for a U visa and removes criteria related to the victim's assistance with the investigation or prosecution of the crime. Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must provide work authorization to U visa applicants, whereas currently DHS may grant work authorization but is not required to do so.The bill also eliminates the annual numerical cap on U visas. The bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that certain individuals, including U visa applicants and T visa (victims of human trafficking) applicants, shall not be detained while the application is pending.Additionally, the bill provides immigration-related protections, such as by extending the admission period and providing work authorization, to the spouse or child of a nonimmigrant visa holder who subjected that spouse or child to battery or extreme cruelty.Further, the bill prohibits, with some exceptions for exigent circumstances, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection from conducting immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of a school, health care facility, place of worship, or other location specified in the bill.
Who sponsors HR 2851?: HR 2851 is sponsored by Jayapal, Pramila (Democratic), Schakowsky, Janice D. (Democratic), Espaillat, Adriano (Democratic), Panetta, Jimmy (Democratic), Ansari, Yassamin (Democratic), Balint, Becca (Democratic), Barragán, Nanette Diaz (Democratic), Carbajal, Salud O. (Democratic), Casar, Greg (Democratic), Casten, Sean (Democratic), Castro, Joaquin (Democratic), Chu, Judy (Democratic), García, Jesús G. "Chuy" (Democratic), Goldman, Daniel S. (Democratic), Hoyle, Val T. (Democratic), Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" (Democratic), Khanna, Ro (Democratic), Liccardo, Sam T. (Democratic), McGovern, James P. (Democratic), Meng, Grace (Democratic), Moore, Gwen (Democratic), Morrison, Kelly (Democratic), Norton, Eleanor Holmes (Democratic), Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria (Democratic), Omar, Ilhan (Democratic), Ramirez, Delia C. (Democratic), Scanlon, Mary Gay (Democratic), Simon, Lateefah (Democratic), Smith, Adam (Democratic), Stansbury, Melanie A. (Democratic), Thanedar, Shri (Democratic), Tlaib, Rashida (Democratic), Velázquez, Nydia M. (Democratic), Wasserman Schultz, Debbie (Democratic), Williams, Nikema (Democratic), Nadler, Jerrold (Democratic), Vargas, Juan (Democratic), Garcia, Sylvia R. (Democratic), Correa, J. Luis (Democratic), Latimer, George (Democratic), Lee, Summer L. (Democratic), Clarke, Yvette D. (Democratic), Salinas, Andrea (Democratic), and Pocan, Mark (Democratic).
What is the current status of HR 2851?: This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 10, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HR 2851?: Track HR 2851 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

WISE Act

Want to know if it passes?

Which district are you in?

You're tracking HR 2851

HR 2851 — WISE Act

Prognosis

Odds of enactment