Legislative Update

The following bills were recently introduced in Congress:

HR 2792, to extend eligibility for refugee status of unmarried sons and daughters of certain Vietnamese refugees, sponsored by Rep Davis, Tom [VA-11] (introduced 7/18/2003). Latest Major Action: 7/18/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

HR 2799, making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Wolf, Frank R. [VA-10] (introduced 7/21/2003) Latest Major Action: 7/24/2003 Senate preparation for floor. Status: Received in the Senate.

HR 2800, making appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Kolbe, Jim [AZ-8] (introduced 7/21/2003) Latest Major Action: 7/24/2003 Senate preparation for floor. Status: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 227.

HR 2807, to establish grant programs to improve the health of border area residents and for bioterrorism preparedness in the border area, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Kolbe, Jim [AZ-8] (introduced 7/21/2003) Latest Major Action: 7/21/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, 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.

HR 2841, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the waiver authority relating to the implementation of machine readable passports and to expand the definition of terrorist activities for purposes of deportation. Sponsor: Rep Weldon, Dave [FL-15] (introduced 7/23/2003) Latest Major Action: 7/23/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

HR 2848, to provide for Federal custody and Federal payment of costs of emergency ambulance and medical services for aliens illegally attempting to enter the United States. Sponsor: Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] (introduced 7/24/2003)
Latest Major Action: 7/24/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.

HR 2849, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to the H-1B and L-1 visa programs to prevent unintended United States job losses, to increase the monitoring and enforcement authority of the Secretary of Labor over such programs, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Johnson, Nancy L. [CT-5] (introduced 7/24/2003) Latest Major Action: 7/24/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

S. 1447, a bill to establish grant programs to improve the health of border area residents and for bioterrorism preparedness in the border area, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM] (introduced 7/23/2003). Latest Major Action: 7/23/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S. 1452, a bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to the H0-1B and L-1 visa programs to prevent unintended United States job losses, to increase the monitoring and enforcement authority of the Secretary of Labor over such programs, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] (introduced 7/24/2003). Latest Major Action: 7/24/2003 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.