To amend and extend the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998.

Bill: 108-hr-2655
Sponsor: Rep. Walsh, James T. [R-NY-25]
Introduced: 2003-06-26 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Admission of nonimmigrants
Alien labor
Aliens
Arts, Culture, Religion
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Cultural relations
Ethnic relations
Europe
Families
Immigrants
Ireland
Labor and Employment
Married people
Minorities
Northern Ireland
Residence requirements
Unemployment
United Kingdom
Visas

Summary:
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: 
Amends the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998 (IPPCTPA) to limit the number of participants in the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program who have a degree from an institution of higher education to no more than 20 percent.
 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise the nonimmigrant alien eligibility qualifications for program participants. Sets a minimum age of 21 (retaining the current age 35 maximum), and requires that the individual has: (1) been unemployed for at least six months; and (2) has resided for at least six months in Northern Ireland or one of designated border counties of the Republic of Ireland. Reduces from 36 to 24 months the temporary period of the visit to the United States for participation in the program. 
 
Denies any such person eligibility to apply for an immigrant visa, or for permanent residence, or for a nonimmigrant visa under such Act until he or she has resided and been physically present in the country of nationality or last residence for an aggregate of a least one year following departure from the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive this requirement if: (1) departure from the United States would impose exceptional hardship upon the alien's spouse or child (if such spouse or child is a U.S. citizen or a lawfully resident alien); (2) the alien cannot return to the country of his or her nationality or last residence because he or she would be subject to persecution on account of race, religion, or political opinion; or (3) the admission of the alien is in the U.S. public or national interest.
 
Extends the authority of the IPPCTPA through FY 2008. Requires the Secretary to report each program year to Congress (currently, the third program year and the three subsequent years) on the number of aliens admitted who have overstayed their visas.

action_date: 2003-09-04
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Amends the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998 (IPPCTPA) to limit the number of participants in the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program who have a degree from an institution of higher education to no more than 20 percent.
 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise the nonimmigrant alien eligibility qualifications for program participants. Sets a minimum age of 21 (retaining the current age 35 maximum), and requires that the individual has: (1) been unemployed for at least six months; and (2) has resided for at least six months in Northern Ireland or one of designated border counties of the Republic of Ireland. Reduces from 36 to 24 months the temporary period of the visit to the United States for participation in the program. 
 
Denies any such person eligibility to apply for an immigrant visa, or for permanent residence, or for a nonimmigrant visa under such Act until he or she has resided and been physically present in the country of nationality or last residence for an aggregate of a least one year following departure from the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive this requirement if: (1) departure from the United States would impose exceptional hardship upon the alien's spouse or child (if such spouse or child is a U.S. citizen or a lawfully resident alien); (2) the alien cannot return to the country of his or her nationality or last residence because he or she would be subject to persecution on account of race, religion, or political opinion; or (3) the admission of the alien is in the U.S. public or national interest.
 
Extends the authority of the IPPCTPA through FY 2008. Requires the Secretary to report each program year to Congress (currently, the third program year and the three subsequent years) on the number of aliens admitted who have overstayed their visas.

action_date: 2003-10-07
text: 
Amends the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998 (IPPCTPA) and the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to revise the nonimmigrant alien eligibility qualifications for participants in the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program. Sets a minimum age of 21 (retaining the current age 35 maximum), and requires that the individual: (1) be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland; (2) have been unemployed for at least six months; (3) have resided for at least six months in Northern Ireland or one of designated border counties of the Republic of Ireland; and (4) not have a degree from an institution of higher education.
 
Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to report each program year to Congress (currently, the third program year and the four subsequent years) on the number of aliens admitted who have overstayed their visas.
 
Extends the authority of the IPPCTPA through FY 2008, and the reporting requirement through FY 2009.
 
Amends INA to reduce from 36 to 24 months the temporary period of the visit to the United States for participation in the program. 
 
Denies any such person eligibility to apply for an nonimmigrant visa, or for permanent residence, or for a nonimmigrant visa under such Act until he or she has resided and been physically present in the country of nationality or last residence for an aggregate of a least two years following departure from the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive this requirement if: (1) departure from the United States would impose exceptional hardship upon the alien's spouse or child (if such spouse or child is a U.S. citizen or a lawfully resident alien); or (2) the admission of the alien is in the U.S. public or national interest.

action_date: 2004-11-19
text: 
Amends the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998 (IPPCTPA) and the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to revise the nonimmigrant alien eligibility qualifications for participants in the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program. Sets a minimum age of 21 (retaining the current age 35 maximum) and requires that the individual: (1) be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland; (2) have been unemployed continuously for at least 12 months; (3) have resided continuously for at least 18 months in Northern Ireland or one of designated border counties of the Republic of Ireland; and (4) not have a degree from an institution of higher education.
 
Requires the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress each program year (currently, the third program year and the four subsequent years) on the number of aliens admitted under the program who have overstayed their visas.
 
Extends the authority of the IPPCTPA through FY 2008.
 
Requires the Secretary of State to verify that the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland continue to pay a reasonable share of costs for administration of IPPCTPA programs.
 
Amends the INA to reduce from 36 to 24 months the temporary period of the visit to the United States for participation in the program. 
 
Denies any such person eligibility to apply for nonimmigrant status, an immigrant visa, or permanent residence until he or she has resided and been physically present in the country of nationality or last residence for an aggregate of a least two years following departure from the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive this requirement if: (1) departure from the United States would impose exceptional hardship upon the alien's spouse or child (if such spouse or child is a U.S. citizen or a lawfully resident alien); or (2) the admission of the alien is in the U.S. public or national interest.

action_date: 2004-12-10
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on November 19, 2004. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Amends the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998 (IPPCTPA) and the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to revise the nonimmigrant alien eligibility qualifications for participants in the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program. Sets a minimum age of 21 (retaining the current age 35 maximum) and requires that the individual: (1) be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland; (2) have been unemployed continuously for at least 12 months; (3) have resided continuously for at least 18 months in Northern Ireland or one of designated border counties of the Republic of Ireland; and (4) not have a degree from an institution of higher education.
 
Requires the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress each program year (currently, the third program year and the four subsequent years) on the number of aliens admitted under the program who have overstayed their visas.
 
Extends the authority of the IPPCTPA through FY 2008.
 
Requires the Secretary of State to verify that the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland continue to pay a reasonable share of costs for administration of IPPCTPA programs.
 
Amends the INA to reduce from 36 to 24 months the temporary period of the visit to the United States for participation in the program. 
 
Denies any such person eligibility to apply for nonimmigrant status, an immigrant visa, or permanent residence until he or she has resided and been physically present in the country of nationality or last residence for an aggregate of a least two years following departure from the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive this requirement if: (1) departure from the United States would impose exceptional hardship upon the alien's spouse or child (if such spouse or child is a U.S. citizen or a lawfully resident alien); or (2) the admission of the alien is in the U.S. public or national interest.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-12-10
text: Became Public Law No: 108-449.
action_date: 2004-12-10
text: Became Public Law No: 108-449.
action_date: 2004-12-10
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2004-12-10
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2004-11-30
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2004-11-30
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Mr. Sensenbrenner asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H10218; text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H10218)
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR 11/20/2004 S11661-11662)
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2003-10-14
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2003-10-07
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2003-10-07
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H9228)
action_date: 2003-10-07
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H9228)
action_date: 2003-10-07
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2655.
action_date: 2003-10-07
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9228-9231)
action_date: 2003-10-07
text: Mr. Sensenbrenner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2003-09-04
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 149.
action_date: 2003-09-04
text: Committee on International Relations discharged.
action_date: 2003-09-04
text: Committee on International Relations discharged.
action_date: 2003-09-04
text: House Committee on International Relations Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 4, 2003.
action_date: 2003-09-04
text: Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 108-260, Part I.
action_date: 2003-09-04
text: Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 108-260, Part I.
action_date: 2003-07-25
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2003-07-25
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-07-21
text: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims Discharged.
action_date: 2003-07-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, 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.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, 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.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, 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.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 108-449