Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1348
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2007-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Academic performance
Access to health care
Administration of justice
Administrative procedure
Administrative remedies
Admission of nonimmigrants
Agricultural colleges
Agricultural labor
Agriculture and Food
Alien labor
Aliens
Allegiance
Animals
Armed Forces and National Security
Armed forces reserves
Arrest
Artists
Arts, Culture, Religion
Awards, medals, prizes
Belize
Border patrols
Boundaries
Canada
Caribbean area
Census
Child pornography
Child sexual abuse
Citizenship
Civics education
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Civil actions and liability
Commemorations
Commerce
Congress
Congress and military policy
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Consent decrees
Conspiracy
Cost accounting
Counterfeiting
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal aliens
Criminal investigation
Criminal justice information
Curricula
Customs administration
Data banks
Death
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Justice
Department of Labor
Deportation
Detention of persons
Disaster relief
Discrimination in employment
Drug abuse
Drug law enforcement
Drug traffic
East Asia
Economic impact statements
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Electric power transmission
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency Management
Employee training
Employment agencies
Energy
Engineers
English language
Environmental Protection
Environmental assessment
Equipment and supplies
Evacuation of civilians
Evidence (Law)
Explosives
Families
Federal advisory bodies
Federal aid to education
Federal aid to law enforcement
Federal law enforcement officers
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Finance and Financial Sector
Fines (Penalties)
Fingerprints
Firearms
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Foreign corporations
Foreign service
Foreign students
Forgery
Fraud
Gangs
Government Operations and Politics
Government attorneys
Government contractors
Government publicity
Government statistics
Governmental investigations
Guardian and ward
Guatemala
Habitat conservation
Haiti
Haitians
Health
Health insurance
Higher education
History
Home ownership
Housing and Community Development
Housing finance
Housing subsidies
Hurricanes
Identification devices
Identification of criminals
Illegal aliens
Immigrant education
Immigrant health
Immigrants
Imprisonment
Indian law enforcement
Infrastructure
Infrastructure (Economics)
Injunctions
International Affairs
International cooperation
Internet
Iraq compilation
Job hunting
Judges
Labor and Employment
Labor supply
Latin America
Law
Legislation
Limitation of actions
Logistics
Low-income housing
Maintenance and repair
Marine terminals
Married people
Mathematics
Medical economics
Mexico
Military base closures
Military civic action
Military training
Minorities
Minority business enterprises
Money laundering
Motion pictures
Murder
National Guard
Naturalization
Negotiations
Nonprofit organizations
North America
Oaths
Organized crime
Orphans
Passports
Performance measurement
Performing arts
Philippines
Police communication systems
Police training
Poverty
Prisons
Prostitution
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public prosecutors
Quality of care
Quality of life
Rape
Recruiting of employees
Refugees
Regulatory impact statements
Repatriation
Rescue work
Residence requirements
Retired military personnel
Right of asylum
Science, Technology, Communications
Scientists
Security measures
Sentences (Criminal procedure)
Sex offenders
Skilled labor
Slavery
Smuggling
Social Welfare
Standards
Student aid
Student employment
Student loan funds
Surety and fidelity
Technical assistance
Teleconferencing
Television
Temporary employment
Terrorism
Transportation and Public Works
Travel
Treaties
User charges
Victims of crimes
Violence
Visas
Wages
Web sites
Western Hemisphere
Widows
Women
Women in business
World War II

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-09
text: 
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 - Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) personnel and asset increases and enhancements; (2) a National Strategy for Border Security; (3) border security initiatives, including biometric data enhancements and a biometric entry-exit system, document integrity, and mandatory detention of aliens apprehended at or between ports of entry; (4) Central American gangs; (5) cooperation with Mexico; (6) National Guard support on the southern border; and (7) extension of the Western Hemisphere travel initiative.
 
Border Law Enforcement Relief Act of 2007 - Authorizes a border relief grant program for a tribal, state, or local law enforcement agency in a county: (1) no more than 100 miles from a U.S. border with Canada or Mexico; or (2) more than 100 miles from any such border but which is a high impact area.
 
Sets forth interior enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) alien terrorists; (2) alien street gang members; (3) illegal entry and reentry; (4) passport and immigration fraud; (5) criminal aliens; (6) voluntary departure; (7) detention and alternatives; (8) criminal penalties; (9) alien smuggling; (10) tribal lands security; (11) state and local enforcement of immigration laws; (12) expedited removal; (13) alien protection from sex offenders; and (14) the justice prisoner and alien transfer system.
 
Makes it unlawful to knowingly hire, recruit, or refer for a fee an unauthorized alien.
 
Establishes in the Treasury the Employer Compliance Fund.
 
Provides for additional worksite and fraud detection personnel.
 
Provides for a report examining the impacts of the current and proposed annual grants of legal status, including immigrant and nonimmigrant status, along with the current level of illegal immigration, on U.S. infrastructure and quality of life.
 
Establishes a temporary guest worker program (H-2C visa). Provides: (1) that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) shall determine H-2C eligibility; (2) for a three-year admission with one additional three-year extension; (3) issuance of H-4 nonimmigrant visas for accompanying or following spouse and children; (4) for U.S. worker protection; (5) for implementation of an alien employment management system; and (6) establishment of a Temporary Worker Task Force.
 
Expands the S-visa (witness/informant) classification.
 
Limits the L-visa (intracompany transfer) classification.
 
Expands the visas waiver program to include on a probationary basis a European Union (EU) country that is assisting the United States in Afghanistan or Iraq and whose participation does not compromise U.S. law enforcement interests.
 
Fairness in Immigration Litigation Act of 2007 - Sets forth provisions respecting remedies for immigration legislation.
 
Sets forth backlog reduction provisions respecting: (1) family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant levels; (2) country limits; (3) immigrant visa allocations; (4) minor children; (5) shortage occupations; (6) student and advanced degree visas; (7) children of Filipino World War II veterans; (8) powerline workers; (9) aliens of extraordinary artistic ability; and (10) Haitian children.
 
Securing Knowledge, Innovation, and Leadership Act of 2007 or the SKIL Act of 2007 - Exempts from the annual H-1B (specialty occupation) visa cap an alien who has: (1) earned a master's or higher degree from an accredited U.S. university; or (2) been awarded a medical specialty certification based on post-doctoral training and experience in the United States.
 
Revises certain: (1) student visa provisions; and (2) labor certification provisions.
 
Prohibits immigration application approval until background and security checks have been completed and any fraud allegations have been resolved. 
 
Hurricane Katrina Victims Immigration Benefits Preservation Act - Authorizes special immigration status, and related benefits, for qualifying aliens who died, were disabled, or lost employment as a direct result of Hurricanes Katrina or Rita, and for certain of their family members.
 
Immigrant Accountability Act of 2007 - Provides permanent resident status adjustment for a qualifying illegal alien (and the spouse and children of such alien) who has been in the United States for five years and employed (with exceptions) for specified periods of time.
 
Authorizes mandatory departure and immigrant or nonimmigrant reentry for a qualifying illegal alien who has been present and employed in the United States since January 7, 2004. Establishes a three-year mandatory departure status, and sets forth immigration prohibitions and penalties for failure to depart or delayed departure. 
 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a state impact assistance grant program to provide health and education services to noncitizens.
 
Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2007, or AgJOBS Act of 2007 - Establishes a pilot program (Blue Card program) for adjustment to permanent resident status of qualifying agricultural workers who have worked in the United States during the two-year period ending December 31, 2005, and have been employed for specified periods of time subsequent to enactment of this Act.
 
Revises the H-2A (temporary agricultural worker) program.
 
Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2007 or the DREAM Act of 2007 - Eliminates denial of an unlawful alien's eligibility for higher education benefits based on state residence unless a U.S. national is similarly eligible without regard to such state residence. Authorizes cancellation of removal and adjustment to conditional permanent resident status of certain alien students who are long-term U.S. residents. 
 
Sets forth the conditions for a six-year conditional permanent resident status.
 
Authorizes the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs, to award grants to qualified nonprofit community organizations to educate and support nonprofit agencies, immigrant communities, and other interested entities regarding the provisions of this Act.
 
Strengthening American Citizenship Act of 2007 - Directs: (1) the Chief of the Office of Citizenship of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide grants to assist legal U.S. residents who declare an intent to apply for citizenship in the United States to meet naturalization requirements; and (2) the Secretary to establish an American citizenship grant program for qualified entities to provide civics, history, and English classes to promote the patriotic integration of prospective citizens.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of State to award a grant to a U.S. land grant university to establish a university-based Mexican rural poverty mitigation program. 
 
Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) additional DHS and Department of Justice immigration personnel; and (2) the Board of Immigration Appeals.
 
Kendell Frederick Citizenship Assistance Act - Provides that fingerprints provided by a qualifying individual at the time of military enlistment shall satisfy naturalization fingerprint requirements. 
 
Requires the Secretary to establish a toll-free naturalization assistance telephone number for Armed Forces members and their families.
 
State Court Interpreter Grant Program Act - Provides state courts grants to assist individuals with limited English proficiency to access and understand court proceedings, and allocates funds for a related court interpreter technical assistance program. 
 
Border Infrastructure and Technology Modernization Act - Provides for: (1) a port of entry infrastructure assessment study; (2) a national land border security plan; (3) a port of entry technology demonstration program; and (4) expansion the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism programs along the northern and southern borders.
 
September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act - Provides permanent resident status adjustment or cancellation of removal and permanent resident status adjustment for a qualifying alien who was on September 10, 2001, the wife, child, or dependent son or daughter of a lawful nonimmigrant alien who died as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States. 
 
Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) noncitizen Armed Forces membership; (2) surveillance programs, including aerial and unmanned aerial surveillance; (3) a Northern Border Prosecution Initiative; (4) reimbursement of Southern Border State and county prosecutors for prosecuting federally initiated drug cases; (5) screening of municipal waste; (6) border security on federal land; and (7) parole and status adjustment relief for qualifying widows and orphans. 
 
Initial Entry, Adjustment, and Citizenship Assistance Grant Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary to award initial entry, status adjustment, and citizenship assistance grants to qualifying community-based organizations. 
 
Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to extend the travel document plan deadline.
 
States that English is the national language of the United States. Requires the government to preserve and enhance the role of English as the national language of the United States. 
 
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the Office of Internal Corruption Investigation.
 
Directs the Secretary to adjust to permanent resident status specified asylee applicants who are members of a persecuted religious minority.
 
 Intercountry Adoption Reform Act of 2007 or the ICARE Act - Establishes an Office of Intercountry Adoptions within the Department of State to be headed by the Ambassador at Large for Intercountry Adoptions. 
 
Sets forth Office functions, including: (1) approval of family to adopt (divided into U.S. regions); (2) child adjudication; (3) family services; (4) international policy development; and (5) administration and enforcement. 
 
Revises provisions for automatic citizenship for children born outside the United States, including adopted children. 
 
Establishes a nonimmigrant W-visa for an adoptable child coming to the United States for adoption by a U.S. citizen and spouse jointly or by an unmarried U.S. citizen at least 25 years of age who has been approved by the Office of International Adoption of the Department of State. 
 
Sets forth adoption-related enforcement and penalty provisions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-07
text: Motion by Senator Reid to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the bill was not invoked [Record Vote Number 204] entered in Senate. (consideration: CR S7279-7280; text: CR S7279)
action_date: 2007-06-07
text: Cloture on the bill not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 34 - 61. Record Vote Number: 204. (consideration: CR S7279-7280)
action_date: 2007-06-07
text: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S7271-7291, S7294-7296, S7298-7304, S7305-7308, S7309-7313, S7313-7322)
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S7099-7106, S7106-7116, S7116-7152, S7153-7167)
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Cloture motion on the bill presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S7063; text: CR S7063)
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S7036-7053, S7056-7063)
action_date: 2007-06-04
text: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6982-6994)
action_date: 2007-05-25
text: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6928-6945)
action_date: 2007-05-24
text: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6583-6597, S6598-6687)
action_date: 2007-05-23
text: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6499-6539)
action_date: 2007-05-22
text: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6422-6455)
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S6388-6389, S6415)
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6362-6389)
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Cloture on the motion to proceed invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 69 - 23. Record Vote Number: 173. (consideration: CR S6387-6388)
action_date: 2007-05-21
text: Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S6362-6388)
action_date: 2007-05-14
text: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate. (consideration: CR S6077)
action_date: 2007-05-14
text: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S6077)
action_date: 2007-05-14
text: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S6077)
action_date: 2007-05-11
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6007-6008)
action_date: 2007-05-10
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 144.
action_date: 2007-05-09
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2007-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate