Visa Lawyer Blog
This is a summary from AILA. The following immigration-related bills were introduced into the House of Representatives and the Senate in March and April:
E-Verify Loan Origination Act of 2010 (H.R. 4744)
Introduced by Rep. Marchant (R-TX) on 3/3/10
Summary: Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to prohibit the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (Freddie Mac) from purchasing a single-family housing (1-to-4 family residence) mortgage unless the identity and work eligibility of the mortgagor has been confirmed by an inquiry made through the basic pilot E-Verify program under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.
Amends the National Housing Act to prohibit the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from insuring any single-family housing mortgage unless the identity and work eligibility of the mortgagor has been confirmed by an inquiry made through the basic pilot E-Verify program. Permits the lender and the Secretary to submit such inquiries.
Secure Visas Act (H.R. 4758)
Introduced by on 3/4/10 Rep. Smith (R-TX)
Summary: Amends the Homeland Security Act to grant the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), except for the Secretary of State’s authority with respect to diplomatic- and international organization-related visas, exclusive authority to issue regulations, establish policy, and administer and enforce the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and all other immigration or nationality laws relating to U.S. consular officer visa functions.
Adoption Fairness Act (S. 3091)
Introduced by Sen. Klobuchar (D-MN) on 3/9/10
Summary: Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) from charging a fee for the issuance of a Certificate of Citizenship for a child who is adopted by a U.S.-citizen parent and who is eligible for automatic citizenship regardless of whether the child’s adoption was finalized in the United States or in a foreign country.
Restoring Protection to Victims of Persecution Act (H.R. 4800)
Introduced by Rep. Stark (D-CA) on 3/10/10
Summary: Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the one-year deadline for application for U.S. asylum.
H.R.4835
Introduced by Rep. Whitfield (R-KY) on 3/12/10
Summary: Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to state that an employer who pays a U.S. worker the federal minimum wage or the prevailing wage shall not be required to pay an H-2A visa worker (temporary agricultural worker) similarly employed more than such wage.
No Sanctuary for Illegals Act (H.R. 5002)
Introduced by Rep. Burton (R-IN) on 4/13/10
Summary: Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) increase border patrol recruitment incentives by offering a ($40,000 maximum) repayment of higher education loans; and (2) develop border patrol retention incentives through the establishment of a retention program. Authorizes the Secretary to deploy newly developed technologies to secure U.S. international land and maritime borders.
Protect Our Workers from Exploitation and Retaliation (POWER) Act (S.3207) [NOTE: No link available]
Introduced by Sen. Menendez (D-NJ) on 4/14/10
Summary: The bill protects all workers by giving them a fair shot at reporting employers who violate civil and labor rights to the federal authorities. The bill is a response to cases across the country of workers who have faced unjust and illegal retaliation by employers for asserting their basic labor and employment rights. The POWER Act will ensure that employers do not intimidate or retaliate against U.S. or immigrant workers to trump civil rights and labor law in the workplace.
StartUp Visa Act of 2010 (H.R. 5193)
Introduced by Rep. Maloney (D-NY) on 4/29/10
Summary: Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish an employment-based, conditional immigrant visa (StartUp visa) for a sponsored alien entrepreneur: (1) with required amounts of financial backing from a qualifying investor or venture capitalist; and (2) whose commercial activities will generate required levels of employment, revenue, or capital investment.