zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
New IDEA (Illegal Deduction Elimination Act) - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny a tax deduction for wages and benefits paid to or on behalf of an unauthorized alien.Directs the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretaries of Homeland Security and the Treasury to jointly establish a program to share information that may lead to the identification of unauthorized aliens. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to provide taxpayer identity information to the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of Homeland Security on employers who paid nondeductible wages to unauthorized aliens and on the aliens to whom such wages were paid.Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to: (1) make permanent the pilot program for verifying the employment eligibility of alien workers (E-Verify Program); (2) apply such program to current employees in addition to new hires; and (3) establish a rebuttable presumption that employers who participate in the pilot program have not violated the prohibition against continued employment of unauthorized aliens.

Date: 2008-08-01
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Taxation
Officer Andrew Widman Criminal Alien Enforcement Act of 2008 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit extension of the 90-day detention period for an alien under order of removal if the alien fails to: (1) make all reasonable efforts to comply with the removal order; or (2) cooperate with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) efforts to establish the alien's identity and carry out the removal order, including failing to make timely application for travel or departure documents, or acting to prevent such removal. States that the removal period shall: (1) not begin until the alien is in DHS custody; and (2) if the alien is transferred to another federal or state agency, be tolled until return to DHS custody. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to detain an alien subject to an administrative final order of removal who has been granted a stay of removal during the pendency of such stay. Authorizes the Secretary to parole an alien ordered removed and provide that such alien not be detained unless: (1) the alien violates parole conditions; or (2) removal becomes reasonably foreseeable. Requires that a detention review process be established for aliens under order of removal who have effected an entry and are cooperating with removal. Sets forth evidence provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to detain an alien for 90 days beyond the original removal (and extension) period. Authorizes the Secretary to detain an alien beyond such 90-day period until removal if the Secretary certifies in writing that: (1) it is likely that the alien will be removed in the foreseeable future; or (2) the alien has a highly contagious disease that poses a public safety threat, release of the alien would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences or would threaten U.S. national security, or the alien's release would threaten the community or an individual because of the alien's criminal history. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) renew detention by certification every six months (provides that the alien shall be released from detention if certification is not renewed); (2) condition an alien's release; and (3) re-detain persons on supervised release. Directs the Secretary to detain an alien who has effected an entry and is not cooperating with removal or if the Secretary has certified the detention. Restricts judicial review of detention to habeas corpus petitions in U.S. district court after exhaustion of all administrative remedies.

Date: 2008-09-09
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Dairy and Sheep H-2A Visa Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include within the H-2A nonimmigrant visa category (temporary agricultural workers) an alien coming temporarily to the United States to work as a sheepherder or dairy worker. Provides for a three-year initial period of admission with additional three-year extensions. Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue housing regulations for workers engaged in the range production of livestock.

Date: 2008-09-11
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Secure Education for Americans Today Act of 2008 or the SEAT Act of 2008 - Prohibits the provision of federal funds to institutions of higher education that admit illegal aliens. Prohibits such provision from being construed as denying federal student assistance to students attending such schools.

Date: 2008-09-11
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Education
Complete the Fence Act - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to: (1) provide that fencing that does not effectively restrain pedestrian traffic may not be used to meet the requirement that the Secretary of Homeland Security construct reinforced fencing along not less than 700 miles of the southwest U.S. border; (2) require the Secretary to complete construction of such fencing and installation of related equipment by December 31, 2010; and (3) prohibit any amounts appropriated for such fencing from being withheld because of the Secretary's failure to comply fully with consultation requirements regarding its impact on nearby communities and residents.Requires the Secretary to report to Congress by June 30, 2009, on progress made in completing such fencing and on plans for completing it by the deadline.

Date: 2008-09-17
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Reuniting Families Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish the fiscal year worldwide level of employment-based immigrants at 140,000 plus: (1) the previous year's unused visas; and (2) the number of unused visas from FY1992-FY2007. Establishes the fiscal year worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants at 480,000 plus: (1) the previous year's unused visas; and (2) the number of unused visas from FY1992-FY2007. Revises the definition of "immediate relative" to: (1) mean a child, spouse, or parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (and for each family member of a citizen or resident, such individual's accompanying spouse or child), except that in the case of parents such citizens shall be at least 21 years old; (2) permit a widow or widower of a U.S. citizen or resident to seek permanent resident status if married at least two years at the time of the citizen's or resident's death or, if married less than two years, by showing through a preponderance of the evidence that the marriage was entered into in good faith and not solely to obtain an immigration benefit; and (3) include an alien who was the child or parent of a U.S. citizen or resident at the time of the citizen's or resident's death if the alien files a petition within two years after such date or prior to reaching 21 years old. Increases immigration visas for: (1) unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; and (2) brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. Provides a 60,000 visa allocation for the unmarried sons and daughters of permanent resident aliens. Increases annual per country (10% of annual total) and dependent area (5% of annual total) limits for employment-based and family-sponsored immigrant visas. Expands specified family-unity exceptions to unlawful presence-based inadmissibility. Provides specified relief for orphans and spouses regarding: (1) petitions for immediate relative status; (2) parole eligibility; (3) permanent resident status adjustment; and (4) processing of immigrant visas. Exempts children of naturalized Filipino World War II veterans from worldwide or numerical immigrant limitations.

Date: 2008-09-18
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
People Resolved to Obtain an Understanding of Democracy (P.R.O.U.D.) Act - Amends part D (Fund for the Improvement of Education) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the funding of demonstration or pilot programs to assist high school students who seek U.S. citizenship in satisfying the requirements that they understand the English language, fundamentals of our history, and principles and form of our government.

Date: 2008-09-18
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Education
Jihad Prevention Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) make an alien who fails to attest that he or she will not advocate installing a Sharia law system in the United States inadmissible for U.S. entry; (2) require the visa revocation of an alien advocating the installation of a Sharia law system in the United States; and (3) make advocating the installation of a Sharia law system in the United States a ground for revocation of naturalization.

Date: 2008-09-18
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Military Personnel Citizenship Processing Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish an Office of the FBI Liaison in United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which shall monitor and assist with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) functions related to expeditiously processing naturalization applications filed by members and former members of the Armed Forces.Amends the the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that USCIS, within six months of receipt of a naturalization application filed by a member of the Armed Forces: (1) process and adjudicate the application; or (2) provide the applicant with an explanation for the inability to meet such deadline and an estimate of the adjudication date.Repeals the provisions of this Act five years after the date of enactment of this Act.

Date: 2008-09-24
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Two Strike Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include in the definition of "aggravated felony" a criminal violation committed by an alien who improperly entered the United States.

Date: 2008-09-27
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to mandate live training of all Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel who come into contact with unaccompanied alien children. Sets forth detention standards for immigration detention facilities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) convene a detention advisory committee; (2) promulgate regulations regarding detainee care and custody; (3) implement secure alternatives to detention programs under which eligible aliens are released under supervision, assistance, and monitoring that ensure their appearance at all immigration interviews, appointments, and hearings; and (4) provide protective detention alternatives for specified categories of vulnerable aliens.

Date: 2008-10-03
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Senate and the House of Representatives should pass, and the President should sign, legislation to recognize the heritage of the United States as a nation of immigrants and to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for more effective border and employment enforcement, to prevent illegal immigration, and to reform and rationalize avenues for legal immigration.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
H-1B Visa Fraud Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise employer and government requirements with respect to H-1B (specialty occupation) nonimmigrant aliens. Increases labor condition application penalties. Provides H-1B alien whistleblower protections. Requires the Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to submit to Congress a fraud risk assessment of the H-1B visa program.

Date: 2007-05-22
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2007 or the AgJOBS Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to confer "blue card status" upon an alien who: (1) has performed agricultural employment in the United States for at least 863 hours or 150 work days during the 24-month period ending on December 31, 2006; (2) applied for such status during the 18-month application period beginning on the first day of the seventh month that begins after the date of enactment of this Act; (3) is otherwise admissible to the United States; and (4) has not been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor, an element of which involves bodily injury, threat of serious bodily injury, or harm to property in excess of $500. Directs the Secretary to adjust a blue card alien (and spouse and minor children) to permanent resident status if the alien has fulfilled specified periods of agricultural employment. Amends the Social Security Act to exempt blue card aliens from prosecution for social security-related identity or payment false statements if such conduct occurred prior to the granting of blue card status. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise H-2A visa (agricultural labor or temporary or seasonal services) provisions. Replaces the existing labor certification requirement with a labor attestation requirement containing: (1) a description of the nature and location of the job; (2) the job's expected beginning and ending dates; (3) the number of jobs; and (4) specified labor assurances respecting job opportunities covered by collective bargaining agreements and non-covered job opportunities.

Date: 2007-01-18
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should expand the visa waiver program to nationals of foreign countries that are allies in the war on terrorism. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a pilot program to expand the visa waiver program for up to five new countries that are are cooperating with the United States on security and counterterrorism matters. Requires a country, prior to participation, to conclude a counterterrorism and security information sharing agreement with the United States. Authorizes: (1) a country to participate for an initial three-year period, with an additional two-year extension; and (2) the Secretary to terminate a country's participation for program noncompliance. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement procedures to improve the manner of calculating visa overstay rates.

Date: 2007-01-22
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Considers five specified Illinois school districts to be local educational agencies (LEAs) for purposes of the Impact Aid program, which compensates LEAs for the financial burden of federal activities affecting their school districts. Considers federally connected students in such districts to be attending schools in one such district, North Chicago Community Unit School District 187, for the purpose of making that district eligible for Impact Aid. Conditions such treatment on the agreement of the five school districts to apportion such assistance equitably among all five of them, and to use it only for direct educational services.

Date: 2007-01-31
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Education
September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act - Provides permanent resident status adjustment for a requesting 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. Authorizes an alien who has been ordered excluded, deported, removed, or ordered to depart voluntarily from the United States to apply for such status adjustment. Provides for cancellation of removal and permanent resident status adjustment for a requesting alien who was: (1) on September 10, 2001, the wife, child, or dependent son or daughter of an alien who died as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States; and (2) deemed to be a beneficiary of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001. Makes the provisions of this Act inapplicable to an alien who is: (1) inadmissible or deportable under criminal or security grounds, including September 11, 2001, terrorist activity; or (2) a family member of such an alien.

Date: 2007-02-15
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should modernize the visa waiver program by enhancing program security requirements and extending visa-free travel privileges to nationals of foreign countries that are allies in the war on terrorism; and (2) such expansion will have positive security, economic, and bilateral effects.Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to the visa waiver program to authorize waiver of low visa refusal rate requirements for a country that meets security and counterterrorism cooperation requirements and has a sustained reduction in visa refusal rates.Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to consider: (1) specified security-related issues in determining whether to waive low visa refusal requirements; and (2) visa overstay rates in determining program eligibility.Provides for the following program security enhancements: (1) implementation of an electronic travel authorization system which shall provide biographical information; (2) participant country reporting of lost and stolen passports to the U.S. government; (3) participant country acceptance of its citizens or nationals removed from the United States; and (4) security-related information exchange about a country's citizens or nationals traveling to the United States.Requires the Secretary to establish an exit system that records the departure on a flight leaving the United States of every alien program participant. Requires that such system: (1) match an alien's biometric information against watch lists and immigration information; and (2) compare such biometric information against air carrier manifests to confirm departures.

Date: 2007-02-15
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2007 - Provides for the permanent resident status adjustment of certain Liberian nationals.

Date: 2007-02-16
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt sons and daughters of Filipino World War II veterans who were naturalized under the Immigration Act of 1990 from worldwide or numerical limitations on immigrant visas.

Date: 2007-02-16
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include in the definition of "immediate relative" the child of a parent of a U.S. citizen who is accompanying or following to join the immediate relative parent.

Date: 2007-02-28
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the MA Regional Plan Stabilization Fund.

Date: 2007-02-28
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Health
Prohibits funds from being obligated or expended for military operations or activities within or above Iran's territory or within Iran's territorial waters except pursuant to a specific congressional authorization enacted after the date of the enactment of this Act. Exempts from such prohibition military operations or activities: (1) to directly repel an attack launched from within Iran's territory; (2) to directly thwart an imminent attack to be launched from within Iran's territory; (3) in hot pursuit of forces engaged outside the territory of Iran who thereafter enter into Iran; and (4) connected with U.S. government intelligence or intelligence-related activities. Requires the President within 24 hours after determining to use funds for such a military purpose to report to the Senate Committees on Armed Services and Foreign Relations and the Select Committee on Intelligence, and the House Committees on Armed Services and Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Date: 2007-03-05
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: International affairs
Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2007 or the DREAM Act of 2007 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to repeal the 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 the Secretary of Homeland Security to cancel the removal of, and adjust to conditional permanent resident status, an alien who: (1) entered the United States before his or her sixteenth birthday, and has been present in the United States for at least five years immediately preceding enactment of this Act; (2) is a person of good moral character; (3) is not inadmissible or deportable under specified grounds of the Immigration and Nationality Act; (4) at the time of application, has been admitted to an institution of higher education, or has earned a high school or equivalent diploma; and (5) from the age of 16 and older, has never been under a final order of exclusion, deportation, or removal. Sets forth the conditions for conditional permanent resident status, including: (1) termination of status for violation of this Act; and (2) removal of conditional status to permanent status. Authorizes an alien who has satisfied the appropriate requirements prior to enactment of this Act to petition the Secretary for conditional permanent resident status. Provides for: (1) exclusive jurisdiction; (2) penalties for false application statements; (3) confidentiality; (4) fee prohibitions; (5) higher education assistance; and (6) a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report respecting the number of aliens adjusted under this Act.

Date: 2007-03-06
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Citizenship Promotion Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise provisions respecting: (1) immigration service fees; and (2) naturalization testing. Prohibits an applicant or petitioner for U.S. permanent residence or citizenship from being required to use an electronic method to file any application to, or access a customer account. Requires: (1) a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study and report on naturalization background checks; and (2) the Attorney General to make reasonable efforts to complete background checks of applicants for temporary or permanent residence or citizenship within 90 days. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a national citizenship promotion program to assist lawful permanent resident aliens become citizens.

Date: 2007-03-07
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to provide a two-year extension of supplemental security income (SSI) through FY2010 for qualified aliens (including asylees and certain Cuban and Haitian entrants).

Date: 2007-03-08
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Social welfare
Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace the hope and lifetime learning tax credits with a higher education opportunity tax credit.Allows a higher education opportunity tax credit for 100% of qualified tuition and related expenses (including a certain allowance for books) up to $1,000, 50% for such expenses between $1,000 and $3,000, and 20% of such expenses between $3,000 and $5,500. Reduces credit amounts for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes over $70,000 ($140,000 in the case of a joint return). Limits such credit to three eligible students per taxpayer in any taxable year and for four taxable years. Denies such credit to certain part-time students and students convicted of a felony drug offense. Repeals the tax deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses.

Date: 2007-03-13
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Taxation
States that it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) undertake measures to deny the Cuban regime the financial resources to engage in activities that threaten U.S. national security and other interests, threaten the environment and natural resources of northern Cuba and Florida, and prolong the dictatorship that oppresses the Cuban people; and (2) deter foreign investments that would enhance the Cuban regime's ability to develop its petroleum resources. Amends the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 to exclude from U.S. entry an alien who: (1) is an officer or principal of an entity, or a shareholder who owns a controlling interest in an entity that makes an investment (as defined by this Act) of $1 million or more (or any combination of investments that equals or exceeds $1 million in any 12-month period), that significantly contributes to Cuba's ability to develop petroleum and natural gas resources off its north coast; or (2) is a spouse, minor child, or agent of such person. Exempts on a case-by-case basis entries: (1) for medical reasons or property-related litigation; or (2) where a transition government is in place. Defines "investment" for purposes of this Act. Directs the President to impose two or more specified export, procurement, financial institution, loan, or Export-Import Bank sanctions if the President determines that a person has made an investment of $1 million or more (or any combination of investments that in the aggregate equals or exceeds $1 million in any 12-month period) that contributes to the enhancement of Cuba's ability to develop petroleum resources of the submerged lands of Cuba's northern coast.

Date: 2007-03-14
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: International affairs
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit judicial review of visa or document revocation. (Currently, judicial review is permitted in a deportation proceeding if such revocation is the sole ground for deportation.)

Date: 2007-03-19
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
H-1B and L-1 Visa Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise employer and government requirements with respect to H-1B (specialty occupation) and L-1 (intracompany transfer) nonimmigrant aliens.Revises H-1B provisions to: (1) subject all H-1B employers (currently H-1B dependent employers) to such provisions; (2) lengthen U.S. worker displacement protection; (3) authorize the Secretary of Labor to initiate an H-1B employer investigation; and (4) increase employer penalties.Sets forth employer petition requirements for an L-1 alien coming to the United States to open, or be employed in, a new facility.Prohibits blanket L-1 petitions.Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to initiate an L-1 employer investigation.Sets forth L-1 employer penalty provisions.Provides H-1B and L-1 alien whistleblower protections.Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to hire 200 additional employees to administer H-1B programs.

Date: 2007-03-29
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Securing Knowledge, Innovation, and Leadership Act of 2007 or the SKIL Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt 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. Increases the annual H-1B cap, with a 20% increase for the following year if the previous year's quota is reached. Exempts from worldwide immigration caps an alien who: (1) has earned a master's or higher degree from an accredited U.S. university; (2) has been awarded medical specialty certification based on postdoctoral training and experience in the United States; (3) will work in shortage occupations; (4) has earned a master's degree or higher in science, technology, engineering, or math and has been working in a related field in the United States during the three-year period preceding his or her immigrant visa application; (5) has extraordinary ability or received a national interest waiver; or (6) is the spouse or minor child of an employment-based immigrant. Increases the annual immigrant visa cap. Revises student visa provisions. Authorizes an L-1 (intracompany transfer) visa extension beyond the fifth or seventh year if the individual has a immigrant application pending. Permits an alien with an approved labor certification to apply for permanent resident status adjustment if there is no visa immediately available by paying a $500 supplemental fee. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a pre-certification procedure for employers who file multiple employment petitions. Revises certain labor certification provisions. Prohibits immigration application approval until background and security checks have been completed and any fraud allegations have been resolved. Authorizes temporary workers (E, H, I, L O, or P visas) who have not violated their status to renew their same category visa from within the United States.

Date: 2007-04-10
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
High-Tech Worker Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the number of annual H-1B (specialty occupation) visa entrants for FY2007 and FY2008. Eliminates the 20,000 annual cap on aliens with master's or higher degrees who can enter the United States without being subject to H-1B visa limits. Exempts from direct numerical limitations: (1) aliens with an advanced degree in science, technology, engineering, or math who have been working in a related field in the United States during the three-year period preceding their application for an employment-based immigrant visa; (2) certain aliens who are priority workers or who have received a national interest waiver; and (3) immediate relatives.

Date: 2007-04-11
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 to authorize special immigrant status for certain Afghan or Iraqi translators or interpreters working with the U.S. Armed Forces or federal agencies under the Chief of Mission in Afghanistan and Iraq. (Currently, such status is authorized for Afghan and Iraqi translators working with U.S. Armed Forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.) Authorizes: (1) additional FY2007-FY2008 entrants (up to 500 annually); and (2) adjustment to permanent resident status.

Date: 2007-04-12
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Laser Visa Extension Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to permit a national of Mexico to travel up to 100 miles from the international border between Mexico and New Mexico if such national: (1) possesses a valid machine-readable biometric border crossing identification card issued by a Department of State consular officer; (2) enters New Mexico through a port of entry where such card is processed using a machine reader; (3) has successfully completed any required background check; and (4) is admitted into the United States as a nonimmigrant tourist or business visitor. Authorizes the Secretary to limit the travel of an otherwise qualifying national of Mexico to less than 100 miles from the Mexico-New Mexico border if such national was previously admitted into the United States as a nonimmigrant and violated the terms and conditions of such status.

Date: 2007-04-25
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Immigrant Accountability Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act establish a points-based process for qualifying aliens unlawfully in the United States as of January 7, 2004, to be granted permanent resident status. Provides that a qualifying alien applicant: (1) who has passed security and criminal checks shall be issued a conditional resident orange card under which the alien shall be granted employment authorization pending final permanent resident status adjudication; and (2) with an orange card who has earned at least 65% of the base points under this Act shall have his or her status adjusted to permanent resident. Requires an alien adjusting to permanent resident status to: (1) satisfy physical presence and admissibility requirements; (2) pay appropriate fees, fines, and taxes; (3) demonstrate basic citizenship skills; and (4) register for selective service if otherwise required. (States that an alien may be required to undergo a medical examination.) Sets forth the following base point categories: (1) U.S. employment; (2) U.S. presence; (3) education; (4) family relations; (5) English language ability; and (6) contributions to society. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) status adjustment for spouses and children; (2) grounds of inadmissibility; (3) confidentiality of information; (4) penalties for false application information; (5) public benefits; and (6) removal. Makes orange card holders eligible for Army or Air Force enlistment.

Date: 2007-04-26
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include immigrants with advanced degrees in the diversity immigrant category. Establishes the annual worldwide limit for such immigrants at 18,333 for diversity immigrants and 36,667 for advanced degree immigrants. Provides that immigrants with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, or math shall have a separate limitation equal to that for advanced degree immigrants, which shall include economic and workforce considerations. Directs the Secretary of State to maintain age, education, and occupation information on diversity and advanced degree immigrants. Provides for the carryover of advanced degree and diversity visas.

Date: 2007-05-10
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
H-1B Visa Program Modernization Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the annual H-1B nonimmigrant visa (specialty occupation) cap, with a 20% increase for the following year if the previous year's quota is reached. Revises H-1B provisions with respect to: (1) application fraud and misrepresentation; (2) employer penalties; (3) Department of Labor investigations; (4) Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) information sharing; (5) information provided to an H-1B nonimmigrant upon visa issuance; (6) employment advertising; and (7) prohibiting an employer of fewer than 50 employees in the United States from having more than 50% H-1B nonimmigrant employees.

Date: 2007-05-10
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Strengthening American Citizenship Act of 2007 - Directs the Chief of the Office of Citizenship of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide grants (not to exceed $500) to assist legal U.S. residents who declare an intent to apply for citizenship in the United States to meet naturalization requirements. Provides such grants to an accredited institution of higher education or other qualified educational institution for tuition, fees, books, and other educational resources required by the English language course in which the legal resident is enrolled. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to provide that a legal U.S. resident who demonstrates English fluency will satisfy the residency requirement upon the completion of four (currently, five years) years of continuous U.S. legal residency.Directs the Secretary of DHS to: (1) establish an American citizenship grant program for qualified entities to provide civics, history, and English classes to promote the patriotic integration of prospective citizens; and (2) implement a strategy to enhance public awareness of naturalization ceremonies. Authorizes the Secretary to establish the United States Citizenship Foundation to support the functions of the Office of Citizenship.Amends INA to set forth a new oath of allegiance. Directs the Secretary to: (1) incorporate a knowledge and understanding of the oath of allegiance into the history and government citizenship test; and (2) notify the embassy of the country of which a new citizen was a citizen or subject that such citizen has renounced allegiance to that foreign country and sworn allegiance to the United States. Establishes a new citizens award program to recognize citizens who: (1) have made an outstanding contribution to the United States; and (2) were naturalized during the 10-year period ending on the date of such recognition.

Date: 2007-05-15
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Skilled Worker Immigration and Fairness Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from the annual H-1B (specialty occupation/fashion models) visa cap an alien who has: (1) earned a master's or higher degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics from an institution of higher education outside of the United States; or (2) been awarded a medical specialty certification based on post-doctoral training and experience in the United States.Sets H-1B annual limits at: (1) 115,000 for FY2007; and (2) for each subsequent fiscal year, the greater of 115,000 or a market-based calculation.Exempts from numerical limitations on employment-based immigrants: (1) aliens who have earned advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, or math and have been working in their fields in the United States under a nonimmigrant visa in the three years prior to filing for adjustment; (2) recipients of national interest waivers; and (3) immediate relatives of employment-based immigrants. Permits an alien (and dependents) to file for adjustment of status whether or not an employment-based immigrant visa is immediately available if: (1) a petition on behalf of the alien has been approved; or (2) adjudication of such petition is pending. Revises H-1B provisions with respect to: (1) application fraud and misrepresentation; (2) employer penalties; (3) Department of Labor investigations; (4) Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) information sharing; (5) information provided to an H-1B nonimmigrant upon visa issuance; (6) prohibiting H-1B-exclusive employment advertising; and (7) prohibiting an employer of fewer than 50 employees in the United States from having more than 50% H-1B nonimmigrant employees.

Date: 2007-05-15
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Return of Talent Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish the Return of Talent Program to permit an eligible immigrant alien (as defined by this Act) and certain family members to return for up to 24 months (with an extension available) to the alien's country of citizenship in order to make a material contribution to that country if the country is engaged in post-conflict or natural disaster reconstruction activities. States that during such absence the alien and family members shall be considered to be physically and continuously present and residing in the United States for naturalization purposes.

Date: 2007-06-22
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Amends the federal criminal code to assign a new section number (555 instead of 554) to the provision prohibiting the construction of border tunnels and passages into the United States.

Date: 2007-07-23
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Lawful Worker Tax Deduction Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny a tax deduction for wages paid to or on behalf of an unauthorized alien (defined as an alien not lawfully admitted for permanent residence or authorized to work).

Date: 2007-07-23
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Taxation
Extends the designation of Liberia under the Immigration and Nationality Act as a country whose nationals are eligible for temporary protected status and work authorization in the United States. Sets forth eligibility requirements for Liberian nationals or for persons having no nationality whose last habitual residence was Liberia.

Date: 2007-07-31
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Immigration Enforcement and Border Security Act of 2007 - Sets forth border control provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) assets, personnel, and infrastructure; (2) ports of entry; (3) border security initiatives; (4) seizure of conveyances; (5) United States-Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology system (US-VISIT); (6) human smuggling: and (7) detention space. Northern Border Prosecution Initiative Reimbursement Act - Establishes the Northern Border Prosecution Initiative to reimburse eligible northern border entities for costs incurred in handling criminal case dispositions that are federally initiated but federally declined-referred. Sets forth interior enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) personnel; (2) detention and removal; (3) gang members; (4) alien smuggling; (5) illegal entry; (6) unlawful presence and illegal reentry; (7) passport, visa, and immigration fraud; (8) voluntary departure; (9) background checks; (10) state criminal alien assistance program; (11) state and local law immigration enforcement and federal transfer authority; (12) terrorists; (13) alien criminals; and (14) alien reporting requirements. Sets forth worksite enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) unlawful employment of aliens; (2) disclosure of taxpayer information; (3) social security cards and identity documents; and (4) establishment of a voluntary advanced verification program to allow employers to verify an employee's fingerprints in order to determine identity and work status.

Date: 2007-08-02
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Families First Immigration Enforcement Act - Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in a workplace enforcement operation that is calculated to apprehend or does apprehend at least 50 aliens, to do the following: (1) give state agencies sufficient notice to arrange for representatives who speak the detainees' language and to provide for any special needs; (2) afford access to state social service agencies to screen and interview detainees to determine if medical risks or risks to relatives exist; (3) consider, upon recommendation, the release of detainees on age, medical, or family related humanitarian grounds; and (4) provide a toll-free number for families of detainees to report their relationship to DHS or state social services. Requires that such aliens have access to legal orientation presentations through the Executive Office for Immigration Review's legal orientation program. States that detainees should be held within the jurisdiction of the local United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office to the extent that space allows. Requires a detainee's release within 72 hours of apprehension if such alien is not subject to mandatory detention, does not pose a flight risk, or is subject to humanitarian release. States that such alien shall be released: (1) on his or her own recognizance; (2) by posting a minimum bond; (3) on parole under the Immigration and Nationality Act; or (4) through the intensive supervision appearance or similar program.

Date: 2007-09-20
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Increasing American Wages and Benefits Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize: (1) the Secretary of Labor to enforce federal labor laws with respect to employers of H-2B nonagricultural temporary workers; and (2) a private right of action against such employers. Specifies employer actions to be taken to recruit U.S. workers prior to filing for admission of H-2B workers. Prohibits H-2B worker entry until the Secretary certifies that prevailing wages will be paid to such workers or to U.S. workers. Sets forth H-2B and U.S. worker protections. Directs the Secretary to establish an H-2B (employer) labor certification application fee. Establishes in the Treasury the H-2B Employment Certification Application Fee Account. Indentured Servitude Abolition Act of 2007 - Requires foreign labor contractors and employers to inform foreign workers of specified employment terms and conditions at the time of recruitment. Requires that such information be provided in written form in English or in the language of the worker being recruited. Prohibits worker recruitment fees. Sets forth protection and enforcement provisions.

Date: 2007-09-26
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Arts Require Timely Service Act or ARTS Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for expedited adjudication of an employer petition for a nonimmigrant alien with extraordinary ability in the arts (O-visa), or for a nonimmigrant alien who seeks to enter the United States as an artist or entertainer, or athlete (P-visa).

Date: 2007-10-17
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2007 or DREAM Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to cancel the removal of, and adjust to conditional permanent resident status, an alien who: (1) entered the United States before his or her sixteenth birthday, and has been present in the United States for at least five years immediately preceding enactment of this Act; (2) is a person of good moral character; (3) is not inadmissible or deportable under specified grounds of the Immigration and Nationality Act; (4) at the time of application, has been admitted to an institution of higher education, or has earned a high school or equivalent diploma; (5) from the age of 16 and older, has never been under a final order of exclusion, deportation, or removal; and (6) is under 30 years old on the date of enactment of this Act. Sets forth the conditions for conditional permanent resident status, including: (1) termination of status for violation of this Act; and (2) removal of conditional status to permanent status. Authorizes an alien who has satisfied the appropriate requirements prior to enactment of this Act to petition the Secretary for conditional permanent resident status. Provides for: (1) exclusive jurisdiction; (2) penalties for false application statements; (3) confidentiality; (4) fee prohibitions; (5) higher education assistance; and (6) a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report respecting the number of aliens adjusted under this Act.

Date: 2007-10-18
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Immigration Enforcement and Border Security Act of 2007 - Sets forth border control provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) assets, personnel, and infrastructure; (2) ports of entry; (3) border security initiatives; (4) seizure of conveyances; (5) United States-Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology system (US-VISIT); (6) human smuggling: and (7) detention space. Northern Border Prosecution Initiative Reimbursement Act - Establishes the Northern Border Prosecution Initiative to reimburse eligible northern border entities for costs incurred in handling criminal case dispositions that are federally initiated but federally declined-referred. Sets forth interior enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) personnel; (2) detention and removal; (3) gang members; (4) alien smuggling; (5) illegal entry; (6) unlawful presence and illegal reentry; (7) passport, visa, and immigration fraud; (8) voluntary departure; (9) background checks; (10) state criminal alien assistance program; (11) state and local law immigration enforcement and federal transfer authority; (12) terrorists; (13) alien criminals; and (14) alien reporting requirements. Sets forth worksite enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) unlawful employment of aliens; (2) disclosure of taxpayer information; (3) social security cards and identity documents; and (4) establishment of a voluntary advanced verification program to allow employers to verify an employee's fingerprints in order to determine identity and work status.

Date: 2007-11-01
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Emergency Border Security Funding Act of 2007 - Directs the President, within two years, to ensure that: (1) operational control of the U.S.-Mexico border will be met; (2) the Border Patrol will have 23,000 full-time agents; (3) specified barriers will be installed along such border; and (4) specified detention capacities will be met. Authorizes appropriations.

Date: 2007-11-13
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration