H.R.4035: To amend section 402 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to provide a 2-year extension of supplemental security income in fiscal years 2005 through 2007 for refugees, asylees, and certain other humanitarian immigrants.
Sponsor: Rep Cardin, Benjamin L. [MD-3] (introduced 3/25/2004)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 3/25/2004 Referred to House committee.

Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R.4041: To waive, in fiscal year 2004, the numerical limitation applicable to a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, if the employer petitioning on behalf of the nonimmigrant employed such a nonimmigrant in fiscal year 2003, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Goodlatte, Bob [VA-6] (introduced 3/25/2004)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 3/25/2004 Referred to House committee.

Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

H.R.4049: A private bill for the relief of Ahmad Khabaz Taghizadeh and Azammolok Taghizadeh Vatani.
Sponsor: Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] (introduced 3/25/2004)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 3/25/2004 Referred to House committee.

Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

H.R.4052 : To increase the number of aliens who may receive certain nonimmigrant status during fiscal year 2004 and to require submissions of information by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Sponsor: Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] (introduced 3/29/2004)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2004 Referred to House committee.

Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

H.R.4055 : A private bill for the relief of Amina Silmi.
Sponsor: Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] (introduced 3/29/2004)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2004 Referred to House committee.

Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary

H.R.4064: To require certain Federal service contractors to participate in a pilot program for employment eligibility confirmation.
Sponsor: Rep Blackburn, Marsha [TN-7] (introduced 3/30/2004)

Committees: House Judiciary; House Education and the Workforce
Latest Major Action: 3/30/2004 Referred to House committee.

Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.4098: A private bill for the relief of Zhuljeta Zhegra.
Sponsor: Rep Brady, Robert [PA-1] (introduced 3/31/2004)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 3/31/2004 Referred to House committee.

Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

H.R.4099: A private bill for the relief of Shpetim Daku.
Sponsor: Rep Brady, Robert [PA-1] (introduced 3/31/2004)
Committees: House Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 3/31/2004 Referred to House committee.

Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

S.2252: A bill to increase the number aliens who may receive certain non-immigrant status during fiscal year 2004 and to require submissions of information by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Sponsor: Sen Kennedy, Edward M. [MA] (introduced 3/29/2004)

Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2004 Referred to Senate committee.

Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

S.2258: A bill to revise certain requirements for H-2B employers for fiscal year 2004, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [UT] (introduced 3/30/2004)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 3/30/2004 Referred to Senate committee.

Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

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There are currently two draft bills in the Senate, one with Republican support that would increase the cap by 40,000 this fiscal year, and one with bipartisan support that would allow employees who have worked for a specific employer during the past two years to return to that employer without counting against the cap.  There was also at least one bill introduced in the House as of March 25, 2004.  The House bill would allow employers to hire the same number of H-2B employees they received last year.  

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The Maryland House of Delegates gave preliminary approval to a bill that will grant in-state tuition at public colleges and universities to undocumented immigrants.  The bill would allow undocumented immigrants to receive in-state tuition if they attend a Maryland high school for at least three years, graduate from high school, pay withholding tax on income for at least one year, and sign an affidavit affirming they will apply for permanent residency. 

Last year, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. vetoed a similar bill, but he claims that his concerns have been addressed in the current bill and does not anticipate another veto.

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For a review of all the immigration bills that have been recently introduced, visit our legislative chart at www.visalaw.com/advocacy.html.