Legislative Update

The following bills were recently introduced in Congress:

HR 2843, to adjust the immigration status of certain Colombian and Peruvian nationals who are in the United States. Sponsor: Rep Diaz-Balart, Lincoln [FL-21] (introduced 7/24/2003) Latest Major Action: 7/24/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

HR 2853, to designate Colombia under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act in order to make nationals of Colombia eligible for temporary protected status under such section. Sponsor: Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] (introduced 7/24/2003) Latest Major Action: 7/24/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

HR 2899, to establish two new categories of nonimmigrant workers, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Kolbe, Jim [AZ-8] (introduced 7/25/2003) Latest Major Action: 7/25/2003 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.

S. 1443, a bill to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to reauthorize the temporary assistance to needy families program, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Carper, Thomas R. [DE] (introduced 7/22/2003) Latest Major Action: 7/22/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 1461, a bill to establish two new categories of nonimmigrant workers, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen McCain, John [AZ] (introduced 7/25/2003) Latest Major Action: 7/25/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

S. 1481, a bill to prohibit the application of the trade authorities procedures with respect to implementing bills that contain provisions regarding the entry of aliens. Sponsor: Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] (introduced 7/29/2003) Latest Major Action: 7/29/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 1545, a bill to amend the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to permit States to determine State residency for higher education purposes and to authorize the cancellation of removal and adjustment of status of certain alien students who are long-term United States residents. Sponsor: Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [UT] (introduced 7/31/2003). Latest Major Action: 7/31/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

To see what immigration-related legislation is pending in Congress, visit our legislative chart at www.visalaw.com/advocacy.html.