Aides of Orrin G. Hatch, the Utah Republican who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, tell the New York Times they expect the committee to approve a bill this week that would grant legal status to high school students or graduates who are illegal immigrants. The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (or DREAM) Act is sponsored by Hatch and 35 others, a third of them Republicans.

Other immigration legislation gathering bipartisan momentum includes a bill granting accelerated citizenship to immigrants who serve in the armed forces and another that grants legal status to agricultural workers if they commit themselves to doing farm work for a set period of time. The bills are said to have the support of Senate leaders, conservatives, liberals, agricultural employers, the Chamber of Commerce, and two of the nation’s largest unions.

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Responding to a question about where the President stands on the H-1B visa program, currently "under attack in Congress," White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said, "the President continues to believe what he said previously, that we should be a welcoming society. Obviously, September 11th came, and there is a need to strengthen our border security and take some additional steps there. But we also – as we do that, we want to continue to be a welcoming society. We are a nation of immigrants, and the President's position remains the same on that issue."

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Executive order 41, signed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, amends the rules governing the release and sharing of "confidential information," which includes immigration status. Under the order, a city officer or employee, other than law enforcement officers, "shall not inquire about a person's immigration status unless: 1. such person's immigration status is necessary for the determination of program, service or benefit eligibility or the provision of City services; or 2. such officer or employee is required by law to inquire about such person's immigration status." Section 4, dealing with law enforcement officers, states that "a. officers shall not enquire about a person's immigration status unless investigating illegal activity other than mere status as an undocumented alien. b. Police officers and peace officers, including members of the Police Department and the Department of Correction, shall continue to cooperate with federal authorities in investigating and apprehending aliens suspected of criminal activity. c. it shall be the policy of the Police Department not to inquire about the immigration status of crime victims, witnesses, or others who call or approach the police seeking assistance."

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The following bills were recently introduced in Congress:

H.R.3237

Title: To improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] (introduced 10/2/2003)

Latest Major Action: 10/2/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

H.R.3271

Title: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for permanent resident status for certain long-term resident workers and college-bound students, to modify the worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants in order to promote family unification, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Gephardt, Richard A. [MO-3] (introduced 10/8/2003)

Latest Major Action: 10/8/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

S.1706

Title: A bill to improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] (introduced 10/2/2003)

Latest Major Action: 10/2/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

For a review of all the immigration bills introduced this year, visit our legislative chart at www.visalaw.com/advocacy.html.