Nicaragua Political Prisoner Support Act

To provide Nicaraguan political prisoners who arrived in the United States on February 9, 2023, and their immediate family members with certain benefits available to refugees. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Nicaragua Political Prisoner Support Act 2. Defined term In this section, the term eligible Nicaraguan national (1) (A) (i) who is a citizen or national of Nicaragua; or (ii) in the case of an alien having no nationality, whose former or last habitual residence was in Nicaragua; and (B) who arrived in the United States on February 9, 2023, as part of a political prisoner release, and was granted a 2-year humanitarian parole by the United States Government; or (2) who is the parent, spouse, or child of an individual described in paragraph (1). 3. Eligibility requirements Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an eligible Nicaraguan national is eligible for the benefits described in section 4 if— (1) such individual has completed security and law enforcement background checks to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Homeland Security; and (2) such individual’s parole— (A) has not been terminated by the Secretary of Homeland Security; or (B) was terminated while a renewal application was pending for such parole and the sole reason for such termination was that the renewal application had not yet been processed. 4. Benefits An individual described in section 3 is eligible for— (1) resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits that are available to refugees admitted under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1157 (2) child welfare services described in section 412(d)(2) of such Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1522(d)(2) (3) a driver’s license or identification card under section 202 of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (division B of Public Law 109–13 49 U.S.C. 30301 5. Rules of construction (a) In general Nothing in this Act may be construed— (1) to preclude an eligible Nicaraguan national from applying for or receiving any immigration benefits to which such individual is otherwise eligible; or (2) to entitle an eligible Nicaraguan national to lawful permanent resident status. 6. Exemption from the Paperwork Reduction Act The requirements under chapter 35 Paperwork Reduction Act

Summary: Nicaragua Political Prisoner Support Act This bill provides various immigration-related benefits to certain Nicaraguan nationals who are in the United States as part of a political prisoner release. Specifically, such individuals shall be eligible to receive (1) certain benefits that are available to admitted refugees, such as resettlement assistance; (2) certain assistance available to refugee children; and (3) a driver's license or identification card. An eligible individual is a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) who (1) is a citizen or national of Nicaragua (or an individual with no nationality who had resided in Nicaragua), (2) arrived in the United States on February 9, 2023, as part of a political prisoner release, (3) received a two-year humanitarian parole from the U.S. government, and (4) has completed the relevant security and law enforcement background checks. The parent, spouse, or child of such an eligible individual shall also be eligible for benefits under this bill.