October 1, 2008

September 2008 Updates from the Hill

Congress has virtually ended its legislative year for 2008 with no real accomplishments on the immigration front. In the waning days of the Bush Administration and with an election on the horizon we expect to see:

• White House approval of the basic pilot/E-Verify program that was included as part of the Continuing Resolution (HR 2638). The program was only extended through March 6, 2009. The new Congress will need to address this as a priority when it returns in January.
• The Bush Administration will be urging the agencies currently promulgating regulations impacting immigration to publish the rules in final before November 1, 2008. These rules include the “new” social security No-Match rule as well as an overhaul of the H-2B program.
• With only days left prior to the expiration of Religious Workers Program (S. 3606) the Senate extended the special immigrant non-minister religious worker program until March 6, 2009.
• The Conrad 30 Program (H.R. 5571) through March 6, 2009 which relates to waivers of the foreign country residence requirement with respect to international medical graduates (click here to read more),
• In light of increased enforcement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Senators Menendez (D-NJ) and Kennedy (D-MA) introduced the Protect Citizens and Residents from Unlawful Raids and Detention Act (S.3594). This bill would restore basic due process protections to our laws to ensure that U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and workers involved in labor disputes are not swept up in immigration raids that trample upon their fundamental rights. The bill will not move forward this year but will help to educate lawmakers and the community about due process issues related to raids and detention
• Finally on September 28th, the House passed the Military Personnel Citizenship Processing Act. This bill will establish a liaison with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to expedite naturalization applications filed by members of the Armed Forces and to establish a deadline for processing such applications.
• Both Presidential Candidates continue to tout immigration reform as a priority. We believe that comprehensive immigration reform will be restarted in earnest in the later part of 2009.