Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5570
Sponsor: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-16]
Introduced: 2008-03-10 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Aliens
Clergy
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Department of Homeland Security
Fraud
Government Operations and Politics
Immigrants
Inspectors general
Law
Religion
Visas

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-10
text: 
Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the October 1, 2008, U.S. entry date requirement with respect to the special immigrant (nonminister) religious worker program. 

action_date: 2008-04-14
text: 
Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue final regulations to eliminate or reduce fraud in the special immigrant non-minister religious worker program by December 31, 2008. 
 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) extend the special immigrant program for non-minister religious workers until January 1, 2010; and (2) extend the program until January 1, 2016, (to be effective March 1, 2009) if the Secretary issues such final regulations by December 31, 2008.
 
 Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress on such regulations' effectiveness by September 30, 2010.

action_date: 2008-04-15
text: 
Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue final regulations to eliminate or reduce fraud in the special immigrant non-minister religious worker program by December 31, 2008. 
 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) extend the special immigrant program for non-minister religious workers until January 1, 2010; and (2) extend the program until January 1, 2016, (to be effective March 1, 2009) if the Secretary issues such final regulations by December 31, 2008.
 
 Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress on such regulations' effectiveness by September 30, 2010. Requires that such report shall include an analysis of a random sample of non-minister special immigrant religious workers, before their second anniversary of being admitted, to determine whether they are still employed by the religious organization that petitioned for them, and if not, the reasons for their departure from such employment. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-08-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-04-16
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2008-04-15
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-04-15
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-04-15
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H2284-2285)
action_date: 2008-04-15
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(consideration: CR H2284-2285)
action_date: 2008-04-15
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5570.
action_date: 2008-04-15
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2284-2289)
action_date: 2008-04-15
text: Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 364.
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-589.
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-589.
action_date: 2008-04-02
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2008-04-02
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-03-12
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by the Yeas and Nays: 8 - 1 .
action_date: 2008-03-12
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-03-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
action_date: 2008-03-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-10
text: Introduced in House