zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Prevention of Unsafe Licensing Act - Amends the REAL ID Act of 2005 to prohibit a state from issuing a driver's license or identification document to a person unless the state has complied with certain citizenship or lawful immigration status verification requirements.

Date: 2007-11-14
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act of 2007 or SAVE Act of 2007 - Sets forth border security and enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) increases in Border Patrol and investigative personnel; (2) recruitment of former military personnel; (3) use of Department of Defense (DOD) equipment; (4) infrastructure improvements; (5) aerial and other surveillance; (5) a national strategy to secure the borders; (6) emergency deployment of Border Patrol agents; and (7) expansion of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism along the northern and southern borders. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act and specified maritime law sections to revise alien smuggling provisions. Sets forth provisions respecting border security on certain federal lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior. Border Law Enforcement Act - Authorizes a border relief grant program for a tribal, state, or local law enforcement agency in a county within 25 miles of the southern border of the United States. Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to make the basic employment eligibility confirmation pilot program permanent. Sets forth conditions for the mandatory use of the E-verify system. Requires: (1) employer/employee notification of social security number mismatches and multiple uses, and related information sharing with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); and (2) establishment of electronic birth and death registration systems. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) penalize specified employers for failure to correct information returns; and (2) prohibit employers from deducting from gross income wages paid to unauthorized aliens, with an exception for an employer participating in the basic employment eligibility confirmation program. Increases criminal alien program (CAP) personnel. Establishes within DHS a rewards program to assist in the elimination of commercial operations to produce or sell fraudulent immigration-related documents and to assist in the investigation, prosecution, or disruption of commercial alien smuggling operations. Provides for: (1) increased alien detention facilities; (2) additional district court judgeships; and (3) a media campaign to inform the public of changes made by this Act including a multilingual media campaign explaining noncompliance penalties.

Date: 2007-11-15
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Alien Smuggling and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to check against all available terrorist watchlists those alien smugglers and smuggled individuals who are interdicted at U.S. land, air, and sea borders. Revises alien smuggling and related criminal offense and penalty provisions. Provides extraterritorial jurisdiction over such offenses. Limits a defense of necessity for knowingly bringing an illegal alien into the United States from the high seas. Exempts from certain of such violations (transporting or harboring in the United States) a bona fide nonprofit, religious organization in the United States (or its agents or officers) that encourages, invites, or enables an alien who is present in the United States to serve as a volunteer minister or missionary for such organization in the United States, provided the minister or missionary has been a member of the denomination for at least one year. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and amend as appropriate sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of alien smuggling offenses and criminal failure to heave to or obstruction of boarding.

Date: 2007-12-13
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
HIV Nondiscrimination in Travel and Immigration Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) bar to U.S. admission. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) convene a panel of public health experts to review immigration policies regarding HIV as a communicable disease of public health significance (and thus a health-related ground for inadmissibility); and (2) make a determination and report to Congress regarding the continued listing of HIV as a health-related ground for inadmissibility.

Date: 2007-12-14
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
States that the Maritime Boundary Agreement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Cuba shall have no force and effect after the date of the enactment of this Act. 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 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 for medical reasons or property-related litigation. Defines "investment" for purposes of this Act.

Date: 2007-12-18
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: International affairs
Border Crossing Deterrence Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to expand Operation Streamline (the zero-tolerance prosecution policy for illegal entry and reentry) to all 20 border sectors. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) revise and increase criminal penalties, including establishing mandatory minimum penalties, for an alien's entry into the United States at an improper time or place; and (2) revise criminal penalty and related provisions, and establish mandatory minimum sentences, respecting the reentry of an alien who has been removed from the United States. Amends the federal criminal code to establish a mandatory minimum criminal penalty of five years for an alien's destruction of U.S. government-installed border barriers or infrastructure.

Date: 2008-03-05
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Worksite Enforcement Act of 2008 - Sets forth immigration-related worksite enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) unlawful employment of aliens; (2) disclosure of taxpayer information; (3) social security cards and identity documents; (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; (5) responsibilities of the Social Security Administration (SSA); (6) immigration-related activities of the SSA and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); and (7) criminal penalties for misuse of social security numbers.

Date: 2008-03-05
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
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: 2008-03-05
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Prohibits appropriated funds for the community oriented policing services program from being used in contravention of section 642(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, which provides that a federal, state, or local government entity or official may not prohibit or restrict any government entity or official from sending to, or receiving from, the Immigration and Naturalization Service information regarding an individual's citizenship or immigration status.

Date: 2008-03-05
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Effective Immigration Enforcement Partnerships Act of 2008 - States that state and local law enforcement personnel are fully authorized in the normal course of their duties to investigate, apprehend, or transfer to federal custody aliens in the United States (including interstate transportation of such aliens to detention centers) in order to assist in the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. Provides for the listing of immigration violators in the National Crime Information Center database. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to illegal aliens apprehended by state or local authorities to provide for: (1) federal custody upon state or local enforcement entity request; and (2) state or local compensation for related incarceration and transportation costs. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish immigration-related training for state and local personnel. Provides: (1) personal liability immunity to the same extent as corresponding federal immunity for state or local personnel enforcing immigration laws within the scope of their duties; and (2) civil rights money damage immunity for state or local agencies enforcing immigration laws unless their personnel violated criminal law in such enforcement. Authorizes a state or locality to: (1) detain an illegal alien after completion of such alien's state prison sentence for up to 14 days to facilitate federal transfer; and (2) issue a detainer that would allow the detention of aliens who have served such a sentence until taken into federal custody. States that nothing in this Act may be construed to require state or local law enforcement personnel to: (1) report the identity of a victim of, or a witness to, a criminal offense for immigration enforcement purposes; (2) arrest such victim or witness for an immigration violation; or (3) enforce U.S. immigration laws.

Date: 2008-03-05
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Strengthening American Citizenship Act of 2007 [sic] - 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: 2008-03-05
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Safe Roads Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include within the definition of "aggravated felony" a third conviction for driving while intoxicated (including any conviction for driving while under the influence of, or impaired by, alcohol or drugs), without regard to whether the conviction is classified as a misdemeanor or felony under state law. Makes inadmissible or deportable an alien who has been convicted of driving while intoxicated (including any conviction for driving while under the influence of, or impaired by, alcohol or drugs), without regard to whether the conviction is classified as a misdemeanor or felony under state law, for which the term of imprisonment is at least one year.

Date: 2008-03-05
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Criminal Alien Removal Act of 2008 - Directs the the Secretary of Homeland Security to carry out a Criminal Alien Program to: (1) identify incarcerated criminal aliens (as defined by this Act); (2) ensure that such aliens are not released into the community; and (3) remove such aliens from the United States upon release. Makes a state that does not cooperate with the Secretary of Homeland Security to carry out the Program ineligible for Department of Justice law enforcement grant programs (including the criminal alien incarceration program under the Immigration and Nationality Act). Authorizes appropriate state officials to: (1) hold an illegal alien for up to 14 days after completion of the term of incarceration in order to effectuate transfer to federal custody if the alien is removable or not lawfully present in the United States; and (2) issue a detainer permitting an alien who completes a term of incarceration to be held until U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement takes the alien into custody. Directs the Secretary to carry out the Program as follows: (1) by December 31, 2010, identify each criminal alien incarcerated in a federal facility who will be deportable or removable upon release; and (2) by December 31, 2012, identify each criminal alien serving a term of three or more years in a state or local facility who will be deportable or removable upon release.

Date: 2008-03-10
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Fair Share Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits) of the Social Security Act to treat certain foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies performing services under a contract with the U.S. government as U.S. employers for purposes of Social Security and Medicare employment taxes.

Date: 2008-03-13
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Taxation
Military Personnel Citizenship Processing Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish an Office of the FBI Liaison in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which shall monitor and assist with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) functions related to expeditiously processing naturalization applications filed by or on behalf of: (1) members and former members of the Armed Forces; (2) current spouses of active Armed Forces members and surviving spouses and children of U.S. citizens who died while on active duty; or (3) deceased individuals eligible for posthumous citizenship. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within six months of receipt of a naturalization application filed by a member of the Armed Forces, or the spouse, surviving spouse, or child of such member: (1) process and adjudicate the application, including background checks; or (2) provide the applicant with an explanation for the inability to meet such deadline and an estimate of the adjudication date. Requires that: (1) the Director of USCIS report annually to the appropriate congressional subcommittees identifying all such naturalization applications that have not been processed and adjudicated within one year because of background check delays; and (2) the Comptroller General report to Congress regarding the average length of time taken by USCIS to process and adjudicate naturalization applications filed by members of the Armed Forces, deceased members of the Armed Forces, and their spouses and children. Repeals the provisions of this Act five years after the date of enactment of this Act.

Date: 2008-04-10
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to replace the diversity visa lottery program with a program that issues immigrant visas to aliens with advanced degrees in the life sciences, the physical sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering. States that such visas shall be issued or adjusted in a random order unless the Secretary of State determines that certain of such degrees are most needed to meet U.S. workforce and economic security needs. (Sets forth visa allocation provisions if the Secretary has made such an economic determination.) Provides for advanced degree visa carryover as of FY2009.

Date: 2008-04-16
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to impose criminal penalties on an individual who assists an alien to enter the United States who has engaged in Nazi persecution or participated in genocide, torture, or extrajudicial killings.

Date: 2008-06-19
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act - Prohibits considering a veteran, surviving spouse, or child who is mentally incapacitated, deemed mentally incompetent, or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness from being considered adjudicated as a mental defective for purposes of the right to receive or transport firearms without the order or finding of a judge, magistrate, or other judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such veteran, surviving spouse, or child is a danger to him- or herself or others.

Date: 2008-06-19
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
International Development Association Replenishment Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the International Development Association Act to authorize U.S. participation in, and authorize appropriations for, contributions to the 15th replenishment of the resources of the International Development Association (IDA). (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to negotiate the creation of the Anticorruption Trust Pilot Program (the Trust) at the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) whose purposes shall include: (1) assisting poor countries in fraud and corruption investigations and prosecutions related to World Bank loans, grants, or credit; and (2) determining whether such a program should be carried out at other multilateral development banks. Directs the Secretary to provide for a system to: (1) monitor Trust fund disbursement and use; and (2) promote access to funds by poor countries in order to investigate and prosecute corruption and fraud linked to World Bank loans or projects. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to require greenhouse gas emissions impact assessments of a multilateral development bank borrower's proposal before the U.S. Executive Director of the bank may vote in favor of the proposal. (Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to report annually to specified congressional committees on greenhouse gas emissions associated with multilateral development bank actions. (Sec. 7) Requires a report evaluating grievance mechanisms of such banks.

Date: 2008-06-19
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the position of White House Coordinator for Iraqi Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons who shall: (1) develop and implement U.S. policies, and coordinate federal functions, to address the protection, resettlement, and assistance needs of Iraqi refugees and displaced persons; (2) monitor the development and implementation of assistance strategies to countries in the Middle East hosting Iraqi refugees; (3) ensure that the President's budget requests to Congress are sufficient to meet the needs of such persons, including providing assistance for international efforts on behalf of such persons; (4) serve as principal liaison with the government of Iraq and the international community and organizations that are assisting such persons; and (5) ensure that the U.S. government will encourage refugee returns only when conditions permit safe and voluntary returns.

Date: 2008-06-23
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: International affairs
Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) annually estimate the number of illegal border crossings along the southern U.S. land border; and (2) reduce financial assistance to the government of Mexico by a total of $1,000 for each illegal border crossing from Mexico to the United States during the previous fiscal year. Authorizes the Secretary to not reduce appropriations for the government of Mexico from the International Military Education and Training Fund, the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement Fund, and the fund to carry out nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related programs and activities.

Date: 2008-07-09
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: International affairs
Legal Immigration Extension Act of 2008 - Extends: (1) the EB-5 regional center pilot program; (2) the Conrad state 30 program; (3) the special immigrant nonminister religious worker program; and (4) the E-Verify program.

Date: 2008-07-11
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to provide that wages earned, and self-employment income derived by, individuals while they were not U.S. citizens or nationals, and were in the United States illegally, shall not be credited for coverage under the OASDI program.

Date: 2008-07-28
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Social welfare
Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious Worker Program Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend the special immigrant program for non-minister religious workers until March 6, 2009. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue final regulations to eliminate or reduce fraud in the special immigrant non-minister religious worker program not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act. Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress on such regulations' effectiveness by March 6, 2009.

Date: 2008-09-26
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Social Security Protection Act of 2009 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require inclusion of encrypted machine-readable electronic identification strips on Social Security cards. Requires the Commissioner of Social Security to: (1) develop the strip in a manner that enables employers to access the Employment Eligibility Database (EED) established by this Act; and (2) transmit to the Secretary of Homeland Security necessary information from an individual's application for a Social Security card or number for inclusion in the EED. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain the EED. Requires the EED to include data on the citizenship status and work and residency eligibility of noncitizens authorized to work in the United States. Restricts access to EED information. Prohibits individuals from commencing employment with a U.S. employer absent a Social Security card that meets the requirements of this Act and presentation of such card to the employer. Prohibits employers from hiring individuals absent verification of identity and work authorization. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) assess penalties against employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers or fail to comply with verification procedures; and (2) bring civil actions against those who fail to pay assessments or otherwise violate this Act. Establishes criminal penalties for such violations. Requires integration of Border Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint databases. Prohibits this Act from being construed to establish a national identification card.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Secure the Capitol Act - Prohibits an office of the legislative branch from entering into a contract for goods or services within the Capitol Complex with any contractor employing individuals unless the contractor: (1) elects to participate in the basic pilot program for employment eligibility confirmation under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to all of its employees and those providing goods or services under the contract; (2) is in compliance with the terms and conditions of such election; and (3) certifies that each of its subcontractors providing goods or services has elected to participate in such program, and is also in such compliance, with respect to all of its employees as well as those providing goods or services under the subcontract.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Congress
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make immediate relatives or special immigrants who are in unlawful status, who accept unauthorized employment, or who have failed to maintain continuous lawful U.S. presence ineligible for permanent resident status adjustment.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit citizenship at birth to persons born in the United States to mothers who are U.S. citizens or legal residents.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase certain income-related requirements with respect to a sponsor's affidavit of support for an alien.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Respect for the Law Act of 2009 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish criminal penalties for an alien who is permitted to depart voluntarily and subsequently enters, attempts to enter, or is present in the United States unlawfully. Revises criminal penalties for an alien subject to an order of removal who fails to depart or to appear for removal to include a one-year minimum prison sentence. Revises criminal criminal penalties for an alien who reenters the United States after having been removed to include a one-year minimum prison sentence. Revises criminal penalties for the reentry of certain aliens who were removed from the United States for specified criminal-related grounds. Revises exclusion provisions for an alien who has been unlawfully present in the United States for: (1) more than 180 days and less than one year; and (2) at least one year.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Total Overhaul of Totalization Agreements Law of 2009 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for agreements establishing a totalization arrangement between the United States and another country with respect to the exchange of funds and information between the countries on behalf citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of one country who become entitled to cash benefits under the other country's social security system. Prohibits, in computing an individual's average indexed monthly earnings, the crediting of individuals under OASDI with wages from employment or self-employment in the United States performed while such individuals: (1) are not citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents of the United States; and (2) are not authorized by law to be employed in the United States.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Social welfare
Requires any applicant for benefits under title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act, the trade adjustment assistance (TAA) program under the Trade Act of 1974 (TA74), or the alternative trade adjustment assistance program (ATAA) under TA74 to present satisfactory documentation providing both citizenship and identity as a condition of receiving benefits under such programs.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Social welfare
Enforce Immigration Law Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) notify the Secretary of Homeland Security if an employee's tax identification number indicates that such employee is not authorized to be employed in the United States; (2) inform such an employee's employer and require that such employee be terminated within 30 days; and (3) grant such employee the right to contest the accuracy of the Secretary's notice.Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to request from the Secretary of the Treasury annually information, including tax identification numbers, on individuals who are no longer authorized to be employed in the United States. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) disclose such information to officers and employees of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for enforcement of the immigration laws; and (2) notify the employer and require that such employee be terminated within 30 days. Grants an affected employee the right to contest the accuracy of the Secretary's notice and the determination that such employee is not authorized to be employed in the United States.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Taxation
Haitian Protection Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti as a country whose qualifying nationals may be eligible for temporary protected status. Provides for: (1) an initial 18-month designation period; and (2) authorization for temporary travel abroad.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Medicaid Newborn Coverage Act of 2009 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to waive the requirement for proof of citizenship during the first year of life for children born in the United States to a Medicaid-eligible mother.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Health
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, in the case of an alien subject to removal, deportation, or exclusion who is the parent of a U.S. citizen child, to authorize an immigration judge to decline to order such removal if the judge determines that such action is against the child's best interests. States that such discretion shall not apply with respect to an alien whom the judge determines: (1) is excludable or deportable on security grounds; or (2) has engaged in sex trafficking or severe forms of trafficking in persons.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Baseball Diplomacy Act - Waives certain foreign assistance and trade and travel prohibitions against Cuba under specified federal law regarding Cuban nationals who: (1) enter the United States on a visa to play organized professional baseball; and (2) return to Cuba with their baseball earnings. States that such visa shall be valid only for the duration of the season and need not be renewed as long as the player remains with the same team. Prohibits the President from denying visas to such nationals based upon authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to restrict any entry of aliens or class of aliens that would be detrimental to U.S. interests. Declares that this Act shall not be affected by the economic embargo requirements against Cuba under the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: International affairs
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt elementary and secondary schools from the fee imposed on employers filing petitions for temporary nonimmigrant workers under the H-1B (specialty occupations) visa program.

Date: 2009-01-07
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Amends the the Immigration and Nationality Act to make an alien inadmissible or deportable if such alien has been convicted of three offenses for driving under the influence and at least one of the offenses is a felony under federal or state law for which the alien was sentenced to more than one year in prison. Provides that: (1) a court shall not accept a guilty plea for driving under the influence unless the court has administered to the defendant a specified advisal regarding the possible exclusion, deportation, or denial of naturalization to a noncitizen as a result of a conviction for driving under the influence; and (2) if the court fails to so advise and the defendant shows that conviction of the offense to which the defendant pleaded guilty may result in the defendant's deportation, exclusion, or denial of naturalization, the court, upon the defendant's motion, shall vacate the judgment and permit the defendant to withdraw the plea and enter a plea of not guilty.

Date: 2009-01-09
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Flexible Health Savings Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow up to $500 of unused health benefits in a plan or other arrangement that provides for a health flexible spending arrangement to be carried forward to the next plan year or be contributed to a health savings account or a qualified retirement plan, without affecting the status of such plan or arrangement as a tax-exempt employee benefit cafeteria plan.

Date: 2009-01-14
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Taxation
10k Run for the Border Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase employer civil fines for: (1) hiring, or recruiting or referring for a fee, an alien that the employer knows is not authorized for employment; and (2) continuing to employ such alien. Sets forth a federal-state (and local) allocation of such additional penalty funds.

Date: 2009-01-15
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Nuclear Family Priority Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to replace existing family-sponsored immigrant categories with a single preference allocation for spouses and children of permanent resident aliens. Reduces the number of, and revises the calculation for, fiscal year family-sponsored immigrant entrants.

Date: 2009-02-04
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Visitors Interested in Strengthening America (VISA) Act of 2009 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official to waive certain entry documentary requirements for a nonimmigrant child (unmarried and under the age of 16) who is a citizen or national of Mexico and accompanying parent or adult chaperone in instances of medical visits, student groups, or special community events. Sets forth additional requirements for such entries.

Date: 2009-02-10
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Keeping Families Together Act of 2009 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (Act) to repeal the provision amending the definition of "aggravated felony," and restore provisions of law amended by such provision as if it had not been enacted, including residency-or status-related rights of an affected legal alien. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise detention of criminal alien provisions, effective as if included in the Act. Repeals, as if included in the Act: (1) certain provisions respecting termination of continuous presence or physical presence in the United States; and (2) the definition of "conviction." Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to admit certain lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens returning to the United States who temporarily proceeded abroad voluntarily and not under an order of deportation or removal, effective as of a specified date, as if certain sections of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 had not been enacted. Revises provisions respecting judicial review of removal orders. Requires the Secretary to establish a post-proceeding removal relief process for affected aliens.

Date: 2009-02-10
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Loophole Elimination and Verification Enforcement Act or the LEAVE Act - Revises immigration- and alien-related provisions regarding: (1) alien smuggling and related offenses; (2) identity security; (3) birthright citizenship; (4) housing and homeownership; (5) taxes and social security; (6) employee verification; (7) financial services; (8) border and law enforcement; (9) state and local government authority; and (10) in-state tuition.

Date: 2009-02-11
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Nursing Relief Act of 2009 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a nonimmigrant visa category (W-visa) for an alien coming to the United States to work as a professional nurse. Sets forth employer petition provisions.

Date: 2009-02-11
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Uniting American Families Act of 2009 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include a "permanent partner" within the scope of such Act. Defines a "permanent partner" as an individual 18 or older who: (1) is in a committed, intimate relationship with another individual 18 or older in which both individuals intend a lifelong commitment; (2) is financially interdependent with the other individual; (3) is not married to, or in a permanent partnership with, any other individual other than the individual; (4) is unable to contract with the other individual a marriage cognizable under this Act; and (5) is not a first, second, or third degree blood relation of the other individual. Defines a "permanent partnership" as the relationship existing between two permanent partners.

Date: 2009-02-12
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include among nonimmigrant classifications: (1) an alien seeking to enter the United States temporarily and solely to receive medical treatment (including participation in a research study) for a disease or condition that if untreated threatens to undermine the alien's survival or day-to-day functioning with an increased likelihood of progression to a more severe disease or condition; or (2) such alien's accompanying or following son, daughter, spouse, or parent. Sets forth related conditions of admission.

Date: 2009-02-12
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend the special immigrant program for non-minister religious workers until September 30, 2009. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 to extend the J-1 visa waiver (Conrad state 30/medical services in underserved areas) program until September 30, 2009.

Date: 2009-02-23
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
E-2 Nonimmigrant Investor Adjustment Act of 2009 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make certain nonimmigrant investors (E-2 visa) who have resided in the United States for at least five years immediately eligible to adjust to permanent resident status.

Date: 2009-02-24
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Scott Gardner Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to share immigration information with the Attorney General. Requires a joint report from such officials to Congress on improving the performance of federal immigration databases to ensure the prompt entry of immigration information. Requires: (1) the director of each state and local law enforcement agency to collect and report to the Secretary all immigration and DWI (driving while intoxicated) information collected in the course of normal duties as a condition of receipt of state criminal alien assistance program (SCAAP) funding; (2) such information to appear as a flag on the wants/warrants page of the National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) database; and (3) state or local detention of an arrested flagged alien pending federal transfer. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) require the Secretary to reimburse the costs of training state and local law enforcement employees on federal immigration laws; and (2) authorize the apprehension and detention of an alien for DWI or a similar violation, as long as the alien is deportable on any other grounds or is an illegal alien. Requires each state motor vehicle administrator to share with the Secretary all information concerning aliens with records of DWI convictions or refusals to take sobriety tests. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a formula for the allocation of federal detention facilities for aliens.

Date: 2009-02-25
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to require 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: 2009-02-26
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow states to be compensated for incarcerating undocumented aliens who are charged with, or convicted of, a felony or two or more misdemeanors. (Current law requires a conviction.)

Date: 2009-03-04
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Tibetan Refugee Assistance Act of 2009 - Makes 3,000 immigrant visas in FY2010-FY2012 available to individuals who: (1) were born in Tibet; and (2) have been continuously residing in India or Nepal prior to the date of the enactment of this Act. Makes such visas available to the sons, daughters, grandsons, or granddaughters of such individuals.

Date: 2009-03-05
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Border Control and Contractor Accountability Act of 2009 - Requires a federal contractor who employs directly or through a subcontractor an alien who is not authorized to work to: (1) be debarred or suspended from federal contracting for three years; and (2) have the contract terminated unless the contractor or subcontractor agrees to terminate the employment of any such alien. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish the position of Small Business Administration Liaison within United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to ensure that the Small Business Administration (SBA) does not make or guarantee a loan to an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with private entities for domestic transport from Border Patrol custody to detention facilities of aliens apprehended at or along U.S. international land or maritime borders. Prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from contracting with a company that employs individuals unless the company agrees to participate in the basic pilot employment confirmation program (under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996).

Date: 2009-03-17
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
HRIFA Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 to: (1) require determinations with respect to children to be made using the age and status of an individual on October 21, 1998 (enactment date of the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998); (2) permit an application based upon child status to be filed by a parent or guardian if the child is present in the United States on such filing date; and (3) include document fraud among the grounds of inadmissibility which shall not preclude an otherwise qualifying Haitian alien from permanent resident status adjustment. Permits new status adjustment applications to be filed for a limited time period. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish procedures for reopening status adjustment applications that are affected by amendments made by this Act.

Date: 2009-03-17
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Access to Justice Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize an alien to file a motion to reopen a case in removal proceedings on the grounds that counsel or a certified representative provided deficient performance.

Date: 2009-03-19
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Dairy and Sheep H-2A Visa Enhancement Act - 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: 2009-03-23
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Justice for the Newark College Students Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security (current law refers to the Attorney General) to make investigative resources available to state and local law enforcement agencies to determine whether an individual arrested for a felony or an aggravated felony (current law refers to only an aggravated felony) is unlawfully in the United States; (2) state and local agencies to use such information to determine whether an arrested individual is unlawfully in the United States and to provide the appropriate court with such information; (3) the court to report such case's disposition to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); and (4) mandatory federal detention of such individuals pending removal, and release only in furtherance of the felony case for which the arrest was made.

Date: 2009-03-23
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration
Border Control and Contractor Accountability Act of 2009 - Requires a federal contractor who employs directly or through a subcontractor an alien who is not authorized to work to: (1) be debarred or suspended from federal contracting for three years; and (2) have the contract terminated unless the contractor or subcontractor agrees to terminate the employment of any such alien. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish the position of Small Business Administration Liaison within United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to ensure that the Small Business Administration (SBA) does not make or guarantee a loan to an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with private entities for domestic transport from Border Patrol custody to detention facilities of aliens apprehended at or along U.S. international land or maritime borders. Prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from contracting with a company that employs individuals unless the company has elected to participate in the basic pilot employment confirmation program (the E-verify program).

Date: 2009-03-23
Topic: Immigration (Immigration)
Subject: Immigration