Summary:
Entrepreneurial Businesses Creating Jobs Act of 2015 or the EB-JOBS Act of 2015

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make conditional permanent resident (EB-6) visas (adjustable to permanent resident after two years) available to qualifying venture capital-backed and self-sponsored startup entrepreneurs based upon specified investment, job creation, and commercial activity requirements.

Permanent resident (EB-7) visas shall be made available to nonimmigrant treaty investors holding an E-2 visa who: (1) have maintained such status for at least 10 years, and (2) created full-time employment for at least 5 U.S. workers for at least 10 years.

EB-6 and EB-7 visa holders are exempted from worldwide immigration limits.

An alien who is eligible to receive an EB-6 or EB-7 visa may adjust to permanent resident status if he or she was present in the United States on the date of the enactment of this Act and has been continuously present since that date.

The EB-5 employment creation regional center program is made permanent with a set-aside of at least 5,000 visas.

A regional center shall: (1) have jurisdiction over a specific geographic area, which shall be consistent with the purpose of concentrating pooled investment in defined economic zones; and (2) certify compliance with U.S. securities laws, and supervise all offers, purchases, and sales of securities made by associated commercial enterprises to ensure securities compliance.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall terminate the designation of any regional center that does not provide such certification on an annual basis.

DHS shall deny or revoke the designation of a regional center if the center's program participation presents: (1) a threat to public safety or national security; or (2) a significant risk of criminal misuse, fraud, or abuse.

DHS shall: (1) establish a procedure for pre-approval of new commercial enterprises, (2) impose a fee for regional center designation, and (3) perform site visits.

Immigrant visa set-asides for job creation in a target employment area are revised to require:

 at least 2,000 visas for rural areas; at least 4,000 visas for high unemployment areas; and at least 2,000 visas for a county with a 20% or more population decrease since 1970, an area within a state or federal economic development incentive program, or an area within a military installation closed pursuant to a base closure law. Concurrent filing for adjustment of status is authorized for persons applying for EB-5, EB-6, and EB-7 visas.

The Immigrant Entrepreneur Account is established in the Treasury to collect from, and use for, the EB-5 and EB-6 programs, together with a premium processing fee.

Additional EB-5 visas shall be made available each year in which the annual cap is reached unless a joint resolution of Congress is enacted finding that such an increase is not needed.

The J-1 visa waiver (for Conrad state 30/medical services in under served areas) program is made permanent.

The E-verify and special immigrant non minister religious worker programs are reauthorized.

entrepreneurial businesses creating jobs act jobs act bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act conditional permanent resident visas adjustable permanent resident years available qualifying venture capital backed self sponsored startup entrepreneurs based specified investment job creation commercial activity requirements permanent resident visas shall available nonimmigrant treaty investors holding e-2 visa maintained status years created time employment workers years visa holders exempted worldwide immigration limits alien eligible receive visa adjust permanent resident status present united_states date enactment act continuously present date eb-5 employment creation regional center program permanent set aside visas regional center shall jurisdiction specific geographic area shall consistent purpose concentrating pooled investment defined economic zones certify compliance securities laws supervise offers purchases sales securities associated commercial enterprises ensure securities compliance department_of_homeland_security dhs shall terminate designation regional center provide certification annual basis dhs shall deny revoke designation regional center center program participation presents threat public safety national security significant risk criminal misuse fraud abuse dhs shall establish procedure pre approval new commercial enterprises impose fee regional center designation perform site visits immigrant visa set asides job creation target employment area revised require visas rural areas visas high unemployment areas visas county population decrease area state federal economic development incentive program area military installation closed pursuant base closure law concurrent filing adjustment status authorized persons applying eb-5 visas immigrant established treasury collect use eb-5 programs premium processing fee additional eb-5 visas shall available year annual cap reached joint resolution congress enacted finding increase needed j-1 visa waiver conrad state medical services served areas program permanent verify special immigrant non minister religious worker programs reauthorized


Summary: This bill authorizes the governor of a state to withhold federal financial assistance from a local government unit in the state that has not complied with the immigration laws.

bill authorizes governor state withhold federal financial assistance local government unit state complied immigration laws


Summary:
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, in the case of an alien subject to removal, deportation, or exclusion and who is the parent of a U.S. citizen child, to authorize an immigration judge to decline to order such removal if the judge determines that action to be against the child's best interests.

States that such discretion shall not apply to an alien when the judge determines that the alien: (1) is excludable or deportable on security grounds, or (2) has engaged in sex trafficking or severe forms of trafficking in persons.

amends immigration nationality act case alien subject removal deportation exclusion parent citizen child authorize immigration judge decline order removal judge determines action child best interests states discretion shall apply alien judge determines alien excludable deportable security grounds engaged sex trafficking severe forms trafficking persons


Summary:
Protecting American Lives Act

This bill amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to declare that a person or agency shall not prohibit or restrict a federal, state, or local government entity from undertaking any of the following law enforcement activities (current law refers to information activities) regarding an individual's immigration status:

 notifying the federal government regarding the presence of inadmissible and deportable aliens who are encountered by law enforcement personnel of a state or political subdivision of a state (political subdivision), or complying with federal law enforcement information requests. A federal, state, or local government entity or official shall not issue ordinances, administrative actions, general or special orders, or departmental policies that violate federal law or restrict a state or political subdivision from complying with federal law or coordinating with federal law enforcement.

A state or political subdivision that has in effect a statute, policy, or practice that prohibits state or local law enforcement officers from assisting or cooperating with federal immigration law enforcement in the course of carrying out the officers' routine law enforcement duties shall not be eligible to receive: (1) funds for the incarceration of undocumented criminal aliens or for the Cops on the Beat program, or (2) any other law enforcement or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant.

States or political subdivisions not in compliance shall: (1) be ineligible to receive such assistance for at least one year, and (2) become eligible for such assistance only after DHS certifies that the jurisdiction is in compliance. Withheld funds shall be reallocated to complying states or political subdivisions.

States and political subdivisions shall provide DHS with identifying information regarding each incarcerated alien who is believed to be inadmissible or deportable.

Nothing in this Act shall require state or local law enforcement officials to: (1) provide DHS with information related to a victim of a crime or witness to a criminal offense, or (2) otherwise report or arrest such a victim or witness.

A state or a political subdivision acting in compliance with a DHS detainer that temporarily holds aliens in its custody so that they may be taken into federal custody, or transports the aliens for transfer to federal custody, shall be considered to be acting under color of federal authority for purposes of determining its liability, and immunity from suit in civil actions brought by the aliens under federal or state law.

It is the sense of Congress that DHS has probable cause to believe that an alien is inadmissible or deportable when it issues a detainer regarding the alien under the standards in place on the date of introduction of this Act.

The Immigration and Nationality Act is amended to increase mandatory minimum sentences for the illegal re-entry of an alien who: (1) was previously denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed; or (2) was removed for certain criminal convictions or excluded for security-related grounds.

protecting american lives act bill amends illegal immigration reform immigrant responsibility act declare person agency shall prohibit restrict federal state local government entity undertaking following law enforcement activities current law refers information activities individual immigration status notifying federal government presence inadmissible deportable aliens encountered law enforcement personnel state political subdivision state political subdivision complying federal law enforcement information requests federal state local government entity official shall issue ordinances administrative actions general special orders departmental policies violate federal law restrict state political subdivision complying federal law coordinating federal law enforcement state political subdivision effect statute policy practice prohibits state local law enforcement officers assisting cooperating federal immigration law enforcement course carrying officers routine law enforcement duties shall eligible receive funds incarceration undocumented criminal aliens cops beat program law enforcement department_of_homeland_security dhs grant states political subdivisions compliance shall ineligible receive assistance year eligible assistance dhs certifies jurisdiction compliance withheld funds shall reallocated complying states political subdivisions states political subdivisions shall provide dhs identifying information incarcerated alien believed inadmissible deportable act shall require state local law enforcement officials provide dhs information related victim crime witness criminal offense report arrest victim witness state political subdivision acting compliance dhs detainer temporarily holds aliens custody taken federal custody transports aliens transfer federal custody shall considered acting color federal authority purposes determining liability immunity suit civil actions brought aliens federal state law sense congress dhs probable cause believe alien inadmissible deportable issues detainer alien standards place date introduction act immigration nationality act amended increase mandatory minimum sentences illegal entry alien previously denied admission excluded deported removed removed certain criminal convictions excluded security related grounds


Summary:
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend posthumous citizenship to an otherwise qualified noncitizen who enlisted, reenlisted, extended enlistment, or was inducted into the U.S. Armed Forces in the Philippines and died as a result of such active duty service during the period September 1, 1939-December 31, 1946.

The executive department under which a person served shall determine whether the person satisfied the requirements for posthumous citizenship.

Specified naturalization and other posthumous benefit provisions shall not apply to the surviving spouse, child, or parent of such a person.

bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act extend posthumous citizenship qualified noncitizen enlisted extended enlistment philippines died result active duty service period september december executive department person served shall determine person satisfied requirements posthumous citizenship specified naturalization posthumous benefit provisions shall apply surviving spouse child parent person


Summary:
Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to prohibit an alien who is not in a lawful immigration status from being eligible for any postsecondary education benefit unless every citizen and national of this country is eligible to receive that benefit in no less of an amount, duration, or scope. (This replaces a prohibition against a state's offering such aliens postsecondary benefits on the basis of their residence in the state that are more generous than those offered citizens or naturals of this country without regard to their state residence.)

Allows any citizen or national who is enrolled at a postsecondary educational institution that is alleged to have violated that prohibition to bring a civil action against any state official overseeing the institution to obtain appropriate relief, attorneys' fees, and court costs.

amends illegal immigration reform immigrant responsibility act prohibit alien lawful immigration status eligible postsecondary education benefit citizen national country eligible receive benefit duration scope replaces prohibition state offering aliens postsecondary benefits basis residence state generous offered citizens naturals country regard state residence allows citizen national enrolled postsecondary educational institution alleged violated prohibition bring civil action state official overseeing institution obtain appropriate relief attorneys fees court costs


Summary:
Refugee Resettlement Oversight and Security Act of 2015

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the President, after appropriate consultation with certain congressional committees, to recommend to Congress the number of refugees who may be admitted into the United States in a fiscal year.

Except in the case of an unforeseen emergency refugee situation, no refugees may be admitted in a fiscal year until Congress enacts a joint resolution setting the number of refugees who may be admitted in that fiscal year.

In determining an alien's admissibility on security and related grounds the Department of Homeland Security shall consult with the Director of National Intelligence and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Beginning in FY2016 and ending in FY2020, the President, when considering the admission of refugees who are nationals or citizens of Iraq or Syria, shall give priority to members of a persecuted religious minority.

The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress on the effectiveness of the refugee screening process in protecting U.S. security.

refugee resettlement oversight security act bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act require president appropriate consultation certain congressional committees recommend congress number refugees admitted united_states fiscal year case unforeseen emergency refugee situation refugees admitted fiscal year congress enacts joint resolution setting number refugees admitted fiscal year determining alien admissibility security related grounds department_of_homeland_security shall consult director national_intelligence federal_bureau_of_investigation beginning fy2016 ending fy2020 president considering admission refugees nationals citizens iraq syria shall priority members persecuted religious minority government_accountability_office shall report congress effectiveness refugee screening process protecting security


Summary:
Protect Family Values at the Border Act

Directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) consider safety and family concerns in any action related to the repatriation or prosecution of individuals apprehended for immigration violations, and (2) provide related training for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and cooperating entity personnel.

Directs DHS, with certain exceptions, to submit to Congress every 180 days written certification that DHS has deported or otherwise removed an apprehended individual from the United States through an entry or exit point on the southern border only during daylight hours.

Directs DHS to promulgate regulations establishing short-term custody standards providing for basic minimums of care at all CBP facilities holding individuals in CBP custody.

protect family values border act directs department_of_homeland_security dhs consider safety family concerns action related repatriation prosecution individuals apprehended immigration violations provide related training cbp cooperating entity personnel directs dhs certain exceptions submit congress days written certification dhs deported removed apprehended individual united_states entry exit point southern border daylight hours directs dhs promulgate regulations establishing short term custody standards providing basic minimums care cbp facilities holding individuals cbp custody


Summary:
Child Trafficking Victims Protection Act

Directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) require the appropriate training of all personnel who come into contact with unaccompanied alien children, and (2) hire child welfare professionals.

Sets forth related protections for such children regarding: (1) prompt placement with the Office of Refugee Resettlement, (2) qualified resources and child welfare professionals at appropriate ports of entry and stations, (3) confidentiality of information, (4) notice of rights and access to counsel, (5) separation from non-family member adults, and (6) the presence of female officers during the transfer and transport of female detainees.

Directs the U.S. Agency for International Development to ensure that programs in the United States and within the country of return support the safe and sustainable repatriation and reintegration of unaccompanied alien children into their country of nationality or of last habitual residence.

child trafficking victims protection act directs department_of_homeland_security dhs require appropriate training personnel come contact unaccompanied alien children hire child welfare professionals sets forth related protections children prompt placement office_of_refugee_resettlement qualified resources child welfare professionals appropriate ports entry stations confidentiality information notice rights access counsel separation non family member adults presence female officers transfer transport female detainees directs international_development ensure programs united_states country return support safe sustainable repatriation reintegration unaccompanied alien children country nationality habitual residence


Summary:
Freedom of Faith Act of 2015

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make the special immigrant non-minister religious worker program permanent.

freedom faith act bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act special immigrant non minister religious worker program permanent


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 10, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Oversee Visa Integrity with Stakeholder Advisories Act or the O-VISA Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Department of Homeland Security to give a copy of any decision regarding the nonimmigrant O-1 visa admission of an alien seeking to work in a motion picture or television production (or an accompanying O-2 visa alien involved in such production) to the labor union and management organizations that have provided advisory opinions with respect to such admission.

measure amended reported house june summary version repeated oversee visa integrity stakeholder advisories act visa act sec bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act require department_of_homeland_security copy decision nonimmigrant visa admission alien seeking work motion picture television production accompanying visa alien involved production labor union management organizations provided advisory opinions respect admission


Summary:
Fairness for Families Act of 2015

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to define "mental or physical disability" as a mental or physical impairment or physical disability that: (1) a licensed examining physician designated by the Department of State has determined renders the individual unable to care for himself or herself as an adult, and (2) because of this impairment or disability the individual's parent or sibling is solely responsible for the individual's care.

U.S. citizens' sons and daughters with mental or physical disabilities shall be considered immediate relatives for exemption from numerical limitations on visas.

fairness families act bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act define mental physical disability mental physical impairment physical disability licensed examining physician designated department_of_state determined renders individual unable care adult impairment disability individual parent sibling solely responsible individual care citizens sons daughters mental physical disabilities shall considered immediate relatives exemption numerical limitations visas


Summary:
Exchange Inclusion for a Healthy America Act of 2015

This bill allows undocumented aliens to obtain health care coverage by amending: (1) the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the restriction of the tax credit for health care insurance premium assistance to persons lawfully present in the United States; and (2) the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to eliminate restrictions of benefits under such Act, including cost-sharing reduction, pre-existing condition coverage, and minimum essential health care coverage, to persons lawfully present in the United States. This expanded coverage is effective for taxable or plan years beginning after December 31, 2015.

The bill also extends PPACA benefits to individuals who are granted deferral from removal under specified Department of Homeland Security deferred action plans.

exchange inclusion healthy america act bill allows undocumented aliens obtain health care coverage amending internal revenue code eliminate restriction tax credit health care insurance premium assistance persons lawfully present united_states patient_protection affordable care act ppaca eliminate restrictions benefits act including cost sharing reduction pre existing condition coverage minimum essential health care coverage persons lawfully present united_states expanded coverage effective taxable plan years beginning december bill extends ppaca benefits individuals granted deferral removal specified department_of_homeland_security deferred action plans


Summary:
Military Enlistment Opportunity Act of 2015

Amends citizenship and residency qualifications for enlistment in the armed forces to permit enlistment of additional persons who: (1) have resided continuously in a lawful status in the United States for at least two years, or (2) possess an employment authorization document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under requirements of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy entitled Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

 Requires authorized enlistees who are not citizens or other nationals of the United States or lawfully admitted for permanent residence to be adjusted to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence under an exception to specified provisions of Immigration and Nationality Act. (Such enlistees need not establish that they entered the United States prior to January 1, 1972, or comply with other specified requirements.)

Directs DHS to rescind such adjusted status if the person is separated from the armed forces under other than honorable conditions before the person served for a period or periods aggregating five years.

military enlistment opportunity act amends citizenship residency qualifications enlistment armed forces permit enlistment additional persons resided continuously lawful status united_states years possess employment authorization document issued requirements department_of_homeland_security dhs policy entitled deferred_action_for_childhood_arrivals requires authorized citizens nationals united_states lawfully admitted permanent residence adjusted status alien lawfully admitted permanent residence exception specified provisions immigration nationality act need establish entered united_states prior january comply specified requirements directs dhs rescind adjusted status person separated armed forces honorable conditions person served period periods aggregating years


Summary:
This bill makes E-3 nonimmigrant visas (specialty occupation) for Australian nationals that are unused during a fiscal year available on the same basis in the subsequent fiscal year to nationals of Ireland residing in Ireland.

The Immigration and Nationality Act is amended to make eligible for an E-3 visa an alien who is a national of Ireland coming to the United States to perform services as an employee who has at least a high school education or its equivalent, or has, within five years, at least two years of work experience in an occupation classified as Zone 2 or higher by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

bill makes e-3 nonimmigrant visas specialty occupation nationals unused fiscal year available basis subsequent fiscal year nationals ireland residing ireland immigration nationality act amended eligible e-3 visa alien national ireland coming united_states perform services employee high school education equivalent years years work experience occupation classified zone higher bureau_of_labor_statistics


Summary:
Correcting Hurtful and Alienating Names in Government Expression (CHANGE) Act

This bill prohibits an executive agency from using the following terms in any rule, regulation, interpretation, publication, other document, display, or sign issued by the agency except to the extent that the term is used in quoting or reproducing text written by a source other than an officer or employee of the agency:

 "alien" when used to refer to an individual who is not a U.S. citizen or national, and "illegal alien" when used to refer to an individual who is unlawfully present in the United States or who lacks a lawful U.S. immigration status. In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of various U.S. administrative bureaus and agencies, the term "foreign national" in federal law means any individual other than an individual who: (1) is a U.S. citizen; or (2) though not a U.S. citizen, owes permanent allegiance to the United States.

Any reference in any federal statute, rule, regulation, executive order, publication, or other U.S. document to the term:

 "alien" when used to refer to an individual who is not a U.S. citizen or national is deemed to refer to the term "foreign national," and "illegal alien" when used to refer to an individual who is unlawfully present in the United States or who lacks a lawful U.S. immigration status is deemed to refer to the term "undocumented foreign national." Conforming amendments are made to specified Acts.

correcting names change act bill prohibits executive agency following terms rule regulation interpretation publication document display sign issued agency extent term text written source officer employee agency alien refer individual citizen national illegal alien refer individual unlawfully present united_states lacks lawful immigration status determining meaning act congress ruling regulation interpretation administrative bureaus agencies term foreign national federal law means individual individual citizen citizen owes permanent allegiance united_states reference federal statute rule regulation executive order publication document term alien refer individual citizen national deemed refer term foreign national illegal alien refer individual unlawfully present united_states lacks lawful immigration status deemed refer term undocumented foreign national conforming amendments specified acts


Summary:
Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act of 2015

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Department of Homeland Security to authorize employment for an asylum applicant who is not in detention and whose asylum application has not been determined to be frivolous.

Employment authorization shall be: (1) for a period of one year, and (2) renewable for additional one-year periods for the entire period necessary to adjudicate the applicant's asylum claim.

asylum work authorization act bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act direct department_of_homeland_security authorize employment asylum applicant detention asylum application determined frivolous employment authorization shall period year renewable additional year periods entire period necessary adjudicate applicant asylum claim


Summary:
Strengthen Employment And Seasonal Opportunities Now (SEASON) Act

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide, effective as if enacted on January 1, 2015, that a returning H-2B visa alien (temporary nonagricultural worker) who has already been counted toward the applicable numerical limitation during one of the three preceding fiscal years: (1) shall not again be counted toward such limitation during a fiscal year, but (2) shall be considered a returning worker.

 "Other temporary service or labor" for H-2B purposes means that an employer's need for labor will not exceed 1 year and is a seasonal (not to exceed 10 months), peak load, or intermittent need, unless it is a one-time occurrence not exceeding 3 years.

 An H-2B employer shall file an employee petition with the Department of Homeland Security. Additional filings with the Department of Labor are not required.

 H-2B employer requirements are set forth regarding: (1) petitions, (2) admissions and maximum stay in status, (3) housing, (4) enforcement, (5) transportation, (6) recruitment, (7) U.S. worker protections, and (8) wages.

 An H-2B worker shall not be entitled to: (1) tax credit assistance for a qualified health plan, and shall be subject to plan rules applicable to individuals not lawfully present in the United States; (2) the child tax credit; and (3) the earned income tax credit.

strengthen employment seasonal opportunities season act bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act provide effective enacted january returning h-2b visa alien temporary nonagricultural worker counted applicable numerical limitation preceding fiscal years shall counted limitation fiscal year shall considered returning worker temporary service labor h-2b purposes means employer need labor exceed year seasonal exceed months peak load intermittent need time occurrence exceeding years h-2b employer shall file employee petition department_of_homeland_security additional filings department_of_labor required h-2b employer requirements set forth petitions admissions maximum stay status housing enforcement transportation recruitment worker protections wages h-2b worker shall entitled tax credit assistance qualified health plan shall subject plan rules applicable individuals lawfully present united_states child tax credit earned income tax credit


Summary:
Ending the Sanctuary Capitol Policy Act of 2015

This bill authorizes U.S. Capitol Police officers, in the performance of official duties, to make arrests and otherwise enforce immigration laws on Capitol Grounds.

ending sanctuary capitol policy act bill authorizes capitol_police officers performance official duties arrests enforce immigration laws


Summary:
Save Christians from Genocide Act

This bill recognizes that Christians and Yazidis in Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, and Libya are targets of genocide.

The Department of Homeland Security shall provide for expedited visa processing and shall ensure that such applications receive first priority among refugee and (family- or employment-based) immigrant applications for an alien who:

 is a citizen or national of Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, or Libya, or in the case of an alien having no nationality, whose country of last habitual residence was Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, or Libya; is a Christian or Yazidi; and is seeking refugee or immigrant admission to the United States.

save genocide act bill recognizes iraq syria pakistan iran egypt libya targets genocide department_of_homeland_security shall provide expedited visa processing shall ensure applications receive priority refugee family- employment based immigrant applications alien citizen national iraq syria pakistan iran egypt libya case alien having nationality country habitual residence iraq syria pakistan iran egypt libya christian seeking refugee immigrant admission united_states


Summary:
Jobs in America Act

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish an employment-based, conditional immigrant visa (StartUp visa) for a sponsored alien entrepreneur: (1) with required amounts of financial backing from a qualifying investor or venture capitalist; and (2) whose commercial activities will generate required levels of employment, revenue, or capital investment.

The Department of Homeland Security shall terminate the status of a sponsored entrepreneur (and the alien spouse and children of such entrepreneur) if not later than three years after the date on which such permanent resident status was conferred: (1) the sponsoring venture capitalist or investor fails to meet investment requirements; or (2) the entrepreneur fails to meet job creation, capital investment, or revenue requirements.

jobs america act bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act establish employment based conditional immigrant visa startup visa sponsored alien entrepreneur required amounts financial backing qualifying investor venture capitalist commercial activities generate required levels employment revenue capital investment department_of_homeland_security shall terminate status sponsored entrepreneur alien spouse children entrepreneur later years date permanent resident status conferred sponsoring venture capitalist investor fails meet investment requirements entrepreneur fails meet job creation capital investment revenue requirements


Summary:
American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015 or the American SAFE Act of 2015

This bill prohibits a covered refugee from being admitted to the United States until the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) certifies to Congress that such individual is not a security threat to the United States. The Inspector General of DHS shall review 20% of all such certifications each fiscal year.

The term "covered refugee" is defined as any alien applying for refugee status who is: (1) a national or resident of Iraq or Syria, or (2) present in Iraq or Syria at any time while the application for refugee status is pending.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shall take actions to ensure that each covered refugee receives a thorough background investigation prior to admission. A covered refugee may not be admitted until the FBI certifies that such covered refugee has received such an investigation.

american safe act bill prohibits covered refugee admitted united_states department_of_homeland_security dhs certifies congress individual security threat united_states inspector general dhs shall review certifications fiscal year term covered refugee defined alien applying refugee status national resident iraq syria present iraq syria time application refugee status pending federal_bureau_of_investigation fbi shall actions ensure covered refugee receives thorough background investigation prior admission covered refugee admitted fbi certifies covered refugee received investigation


Summary:
Assuring Law Enforcement Requests Are Timely Evaluated by the Department of Homeland Security Act of 2015 or the ALERTED Act of 2015

 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, upon request by a federal, state, or local law enforcement official, to determine whether to issue a detainer to detain an alien arrested by such official for a violation of any law, not just one relating to controlled substances.

assuring law enforcement requests timely evaluated department_of_homeland_security act act bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act direct request federal state local law enforcement official determine issue detainer detain alien arrested official violation law relating controlled substances


Summary:
Protect Our Workers from Exploitation and Retaliation Act or the POWER Act

 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exclude from the definition of "immigrant" a nonimmigrant alien who files a petition for U visa status (set aside for victims of crimes and their immediate family members) if the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determines that the alien:

 has suffered abuse or harm as a result of having been a victim of criminal activity; has suffered substantial abuse or harm related to specified labor or employment violations related to a workplace claim (workplace violation); is a victim of specified criminal activity and would suffer extreme hardship upon removal; has suffered a workplace violation and would suffer extreme hardship upon removal; has been helpful in a workplace violation investigation; or has filed, is a material witness in, or is likely to be helpful in the investigation of, a workplace claim and reasonably fears or has been the victim of an action involving force, physical restraint, retaliation, or abuse of the immigration or other legal process by the employer. DHS may permit an alien to remain and work temporarily in the United States if the alien: (1) has filed for relief as a victim of crime or of violations of labor or employment laws or regulations; (2) has filed, or is a material witness to, a workplace claim; and (3) has been helpful in a federal, state, or local law enforcement action related to the claim.

 The bill sets forth workplace claim procedural requirements and protections in an enforcement action leading to a removal proceeding.

 The bill establishes exceptions to a stay of removal or other specified relief where DHS establishes that: (1) the alien has been convicted of a felony, or (2) a workplace claim was filed in bad faith with intent to delay or avoid the alien's removal.

protect workers exploitation retaliation act power act bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act exclude definition immigrant nonimmigrant alien files petition visa status set aside victims crimes immediate family members department_of_homeland_security dhs determines alien suffered abuse harm result having victim criminal activity suffered substantial abuse harm related specified labor employment violations related workplace claim workplace violation victim specified criminal activity suffer extreme hardship removal suffered workplace violation suffer extreme hardship removal helpful workplace violation investigation filed material witness likely helpful investigation workplace claim reasonably victim action involving force physical restraint retaliation abuse immigration legal process employer dhs permit alien remain work temporarily united_states alien filed relief victim crime violations labor employment laws regulations filed material witness workplace claim helpful federal state local law enforcement action related claim bill sets forth workplace claim procedural requirements protections enforcement action leading removal proceeding bill establishes exceptions stay removal specified relief dhs establishes alien convicted felony workplace claim filed bad faith intent delay avoid alien removal


Summary:
Save Christians from Genocide Act

This bill recognizes that Christians and Yazidis in Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Iran, and Libya are targets of genocide.

The Department of Homeland Security shall provide for expedited visa processing and shall ensure that such applications receive first priority among refugee and (family- or employment-based) immigrant applications for an alien who:

 is a citizen or national of Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Iran, or Libya, or in the case of an alien having no nationality, whose country of last habitual residence was Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Iran, or Libya; is a Christian or Yazidi; and is seeking refugee or immigrant admission to the United States.

save genocide act bill recognizes iraq syria pakistan iran libya targets genocide department_of_homeland_security shall provide expedited visa processing shall ensure applications receive priority refugee family- employment based immigrant applications alien citizen national iraq syria pakistan iran libya case alien having nationality country habitual residence iraq syria pakistan iran libya christian seeking refugee immigrant admission united_states


Summary:
This bill prohibits the obligation of federal funds for the U.S. refugee admission of any alien: (1) whose country of nationality is Syria, or (2) who has no nationality but who last habitually resided in Syria.

Such prohibition shall terminate only upon the approval in the House of Representatives and in the Senate of a resolution of termination.

bill prohibits obligation federal funds refugee admission alien country nationality syria nationality habitually resided syria prohibition shall terminate approval house_of_representatives senate resolution termination


Summary:
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the resettlement of refugees in a state whose governor has taken any action formally disapproving the resettlement of refugees, or of certain refugees, in that state during that fiscal year.

A state:

 disapproving the resettlement of any refugees may not receive specified refugee resettlement funds during that fiscal year, or disapproving the resettlement of only certain refugees shall receive a reduction of such funds proportionate to the number of refugees not resettled.

bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act prohibit resettlement refugees state governor taken action formally disapproving resettlement refugees certain refugees state fiscal year state disapproving resettlement refugees receive specified refugee resettlement funds fiscal year disapproving resettlement certain refugees shall receive reduction funds proportionate number refugees resettled


Summary:
Defund the Syrian Refugee Resettlement Program Act of 2015

This bill prohibits federal funds from being obligated for the U.S. refugee admission of any alien who is a national of Syria or whose last habitual residence was in Syria during the period that the civil war in Syria is ongoing, as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.

defund bill prohibits federal funds obligated refugee admission alien national syria habitual residence syria period civil war syria ongoing determined department_of_homeland_security


Summary:
States' Right of Refugee Refusal Act of 2015

This bill prohibits the Office of Refugee Resettlement or the federal agency administering refugee resettlement from resettling or coordinating placement of any refugee in a state whose government has communicated to the Office that the state government does not accede to such resettlement or placement.

states right refugee refusal act bill prohibits office_of_refugee_resettlement federal agency administering refugee resettlement coordinating placement refugee state government communicated office state government resettlement placement


Summary:
Refugee Relocation Security Act

This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (HHS) from admitting an alien from Syria or Iraq into the United States as a refugee until Congress passes a joint resolution authorizing DHS to resume such admissions.

The President may not relocate refugees to any state that explicitly rejects their admission into its respective state territory or tribal land through the direction of: (1) the governor of the affected state, or (2) an Act of the state legislature of the affected state.

refugee relocation security act bill prohibits department_of_homeland_security hhs admitting alien syria iraq united_states refugee congress passes joint resolution authorizing dhs resume admissions president relocate refugees state explicitly rejects admission respective state territory tribal land direction governor affected state act state legislature affected state


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015 or the American SAFE Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill requires that, in addition to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) screening, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shall take all actions necessary to ensure that each covered alien receives a background investigation before U.S. refugee admission.

A "covered alien" is any alien applying for U.S. refugee admission who:

 is a national or resident of Iraq or Syria, has no nationality and whose last habitual residence was in Iraq or Syria, or has been present in Iraq or Syria at any time on or after March 1, 2011. A covered alien:

 may not be admitted as a refugee until the FBI certifies to DHS and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) that he or she has received a background investigation sufficient to determine whether the alien is a U.S. security threat; and may only be admitted to the United States after DHS, with the unanimous concurrence of the FBI and the DNI, certifies to Congress that he or she is not such a threat. The Inspector General of DHS shall conduct annual risk-based reviews of all certifications.

DHS shall report monthly to Congress on the total number of admission applications for which a certification was made and the number of covered aliens for whom such a certification was not made for the preceding month. The report shall include for each covered alien for whom a certification was not made the concurrence or nonconcurrence of each person whose concurrence was required by the certification.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure american safe act sec bill requires addition department_of_homeland_security dhs screening federal_bureau_of_investigation fbi shall actions necessary ensure covered alien receives background investigation refugee admission covered alien alien applying refugee admission national resident iraq syria nationality habitual residence iraq syria present iraq syria time march covered alien admitted refugee fbi certifies dhs director national_intelligence dni received background investigation sufficient determine alien security threat admitted united_states dhs unanimous concurrence fbi dni certifies congress threat inspector general dhs shall conduct annual risk based reviews certifications dhs shall report monthly congress total number admission applications certification number covered aliens certification preceding month report shall include covered alien certification concurrence person concurrence required certification


Summary: This bill prohibits federal funds from being obligated for the U.S. refugee admission of any alien: (1) whose country of nationality is Syria, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, or Yemen; or (2) in the case of an alien having no nationality, the country in which the alien last habitually resided is Syria, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, or Yemen.

bill prohibits federal funds obligated refugee admission alien country nationality syria iraq libya afghanistan yemen case alien having nationality country alien habitually resided syria iraq libya afghanistan yemen


Summary:
Syrian Refugee Verification and Safety Act

This bill declares that: (1) no alien who is a refugee because of the conflict in Syria (covered alien) may be admitted to the United States as a refugee, (2) no funds may be expended to process refugee applications for covered aliens, and (3) no funds may be expended by the Department of State or the Department of Health and Human Services to resettle covered aliens in the United States.

These restrictions shall remain in effect until 30 days after the President certifies to Congress regarding:

 protocols and interagency coordination to adjudicate such U.S. admissions and resettlement; evaluation and review of such protocols and coordination by the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community; State Department submission to Congress of an updated Congressional Presentation Document of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration for Fiscal Year 2016 that reflects security or other risks posed by covered aliens; and a State Department briefing to Congress on the increase in covered aliens seeking refugee admission and so admitted, including information on any terrorist conduct. This certification: (1) may not be submitted to Congress before 270 days, and (2) shall not have any effect if Congress enacts into law a joint resolution of disapproval within 15 days.

safety act bill declares alien refugee conflict syria covered alien admitted united_states refugee funds expended process refugee applications covered aliens funds expended department_of_state department_of_health_and_human_services resettle covered aliens united_states restrictions shall remain effect days president certifies congress protocols interagency coordination adjudicate admissions resettlement evaluation review protocols coordination state_department submission congress updated reflects security risks posed covered aliens state_department briefing congress increase covered aliens seeking refugee admission admitted including information terrorist conduct certification submitted congress days shall effect congress enacts law joint resolution disapproval days


Summary:
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collect data, and report annually to Congress, regarding instances in which an alien admitted to the United States as a refugee returns temporarily or permanently: (1) to the country of the alien's nationality at the time of such admission; or (2) in the case of an alien having no nationality at the time of such admission, to the country in which the alien last habitually resided prior to such admission.

The bill prohibits DHS from admitting aliens into the United States as refugees until Congress passes a joint resolution giving DHS authority to resume admitting such aliens.

bill directs department_of_homeland_security dhs collect data report annually congress instances alien admitted united_states refugee returns temporarily permanently country alien nationality time admission case alien having nationality time admission country alien habitually resided prior admission bill prohibits dhs admitting aliens united_states refugees congress passes joint resolution giving dhs authority resume admitting aliens


Summary:
Give States a Chance Act of 2015

This bill authorizes the governor of any state in which it is proposed to place or resettle as a refugee an alien meeting certain criteria to refuse such placement or resettlement if the governor:

 has not properly been informed of the intended sponsorship process for the refugee, has determined that the proposed location for the refugee within the state is inappropriate because the proportion of refugees and comparable entrants in that location's population is too high, or is not reasonably satisfied that the refugee does not post a security threat. A covered refugee may not be admitted to the United States until the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) certifies to Congress that he or she is not a U.S. security threat.

A "covered refugee" is any alien applying for U.S. refugee admission who:

 is a national or resident of Iraq or Syria, has no nationality and whose last habitual residence was in Iraq or Syria, or has been present in Iraq or Syria at any time on or after March 1, 2011. The Inspector General of DHS shall review 20% of all certifications made each fiscal year.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shall ensure that each covered refugee receives a thorough background investigation before admission. A covered refugee may not be admitted until the FBI certifies that such an investigation has been done.

states chance act bill authorizes governor state proposed place resettle refugee alien meeting certain criteria refuse placement resettlement governor properly informed intended sponsorship process refugee determined proposed location refugee state inappropriate proportion refugees comparable entrants location population high reasonably satisfied refugee post security threat covered refugee admitted united_states department_of_homeland_security dhs certifies congress security threat covered refugee alien applying refugee admission national resident iraq syria nationality habitual residence iraq syria present iraq syria time march inspector general dhs shall review certifications fiscal year federal_bureau_of_investigation fbi shall ensure covered refugee receives thorough background investigation admission covered refugee admitted fbi certifies investigation


Summary:
Secure Refugee Process Act of 2015

This bill declares that no alien shall be admitted as a refugee:

 whose identity has not been satisfactorily established pursuant to Department of Homeland Security procedures, which shall address any insufficient, conflicting, or unreliable information, including biographic and biometric data that is unresolved at the time of admission; and if, by the time of admission, the alien's identity has not been checked against specified federal records or databases to determine any national security, criminal, or other grounds on which the alien may be inadmissible. An alien may only be admitted as a refugee after DHS certifies that all provisions of this Act have been complied with and that the alien has not been firmly resettled in a safe third country.

DHS shall report to Congress monthly regarding the total number of refugee applicants of special interest and the number of such applicants whose applications were denied.

The Inspector General of DHS shall conduct an annual risk-based review of a sampling of certifications and report its findings to Congress.

bill declares alien shall admitted refugee identity satisfactorily established pursuant department_of_homeland_security procedures shall address insufficient conflicting unreliable information including biographic biometric data unresolved time admission time admission alien identity checked specified federal records databases determine national security criminal grounds alien inadmissible alien admitted refugee dhs certifies provisions act complied alien resettled safe country dhs shall report congress monthly total number refugee applicants special interest number applicants applications denied inspector general dhs shall conduct annual risk based review sampling certifications report findings congress


Summary:
Security Verification for Refugees Act

This bill requires that, in addition to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) screening, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shall take all actions necessary to ensure that each covered alien receives a background investigation before U.S. refugee admission.

A "covered alien" is any alien applying for U.S. refugee admission who:

 is a national or resident of Iraq, Syria, or a country designated as a high-risk country; has no nationality and whose last habitual residence was in Iraq, Syria, or a country designated as a high-risk country; or has been present in Iraq or Syria at any time on or after March 1, 2011. A covered alien:

 may not be admitted as a refugee until the FBI certifies to DHS and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) that he or she has received a background investigation sufficient to determine whether the alien is a U.S. security threat; and may only be admitted to the United States after DHS, with the unanimous concurrence of the FBI and the DNI, certifies to Congress that he or she is not such a threat. The Inspector General of DHS shall conduct annual risk-based reviews of all certifications.

DHS shall report monthly to Congress on the total number of admission applications for which a certification was made and the number of covered aliens for whom such a certification was not made for the preceding month. The report shall include for each covered alien for whom a certification was not made the concurrence or nonconcurrence of each person whose concurrence was required by the certification.

 The Department of State shall submit annually to Congress:

 a list of each country, a national or resident of which submitted an application for U.S. refugee admission; an evaluation of the threat posed by aliens who are nationals or residents of each listed country; and a description of any presence of terrorism, human rights violations, human trafficking, drug trafficking, religious persecution, or other violations of international law, any presence of al Qaeda, Islamic State, or other terrorist groups, or any presence of transnational criminal organizations.

security verification refugees act bill requires addition department_of_homeland_security dhs screening federal_bureau_of_investigation fbi shall actions necessary ensure covered alien receives background investigation refugee admission covered alien alien applying refugee admission national resident iraq syria country designated high risk country nationality habitual residence iraq syria country designated high risk country present iraq syria time march covered alien admitted refugee fbi certifies dhs director national_intelligence dni received background investigation sufficient determine alien security threat admitted united_states dhs unanimous concurrence fbi dni certifies congress threat inspector general dhs shall conduct annual risk based reviews certifications dhs shall report monthly congress total number admission applications certification number covered aliens certification preceding month report shall include covered alien certification concurrence person concurrence required certification department_of_state shall submit annually congress list country national resident submitted application refugee admission evaluation threat posed aliens nationals residents listed country description presence terrorism human rights violations human trafficking drug trafficking religious persecution violations international law presence al_qaeda terrorist groups presence transnational criminal organizations


Summary:
Best Return on America's Investment Now Act or the BRAIN Act

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make up to 10% of the worldwide employment-based immigration level available to qualified immigrants who: (1) hold a doctorate degree in a field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM degree) from a U.S. doctoral institution of higher education; and (2) have taken all doctoral courses in a STEM field, including all courses taken by correspondence or by distance education, while physically present in the United States.

The number of immigrant visas available to skilled workers, professionals, and other workers is reduced.

The computation of the total number of immigrant visas that may be made available to natives of any single foreign state or dependent area in a fiscal year is revised.

The permanent priority date for any employment-based petition shall be the date on which the petition is filed with Department of Homeland Security (or the Department of State, if applicable), unless such filing was preceded by the filing of a labor certification with the Department of Labor, in which case that date shall constitute the priority date.

 An alien who is the beneficiary of an employment-based petition that was approvable when filed shall retain that petition's priority date in the consideration of any subsequently filed employment-based petition.

best return america investment act brain act bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act worldwide employment based immigration level available qualified immigrants hold doctorate degree field science technology engineering mathematics stem degree doctoral institution higher education taken doctoral courses stem field including courses taken correspondence distance education physically present united_states number immigrant visas available skilled workers professionals workers reduced computation total number immigrant visas available natives single foreign state dependent area fiscal year revised permanent priority date employment based petition shall date petition filed department_of_homeland_security department_of_state applicable filing preceded filing labor certification department_of_labor case date shall constitute priority date alien beneficiary employment based petition approvable filed shall retain petition priority date consideration subsequently filed employment based petition


Summary:
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the visa waiver admission of an alien who was present during the preceding five-year period in:

 a country designated by the Department of State or any other provision of law as a country whose government has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism; Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, or Nigeria; or any other country determined appropriate by the State Department, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of the Treasury, and the Director of National Intelligence.

bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act prohibit visa waiver admission alien present preceding year period country designated department_of_state provision law country government repeatedly provided support acts international terrorism afghanistan egypt iraq libya yemen somalia nigeria country determined appropriate state_department consultation department_of_homeland_security department_of_the_treasury director national_intelligence


Summary:
Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015

The bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the eligibility of certain foreign nationals to purchase and possess firearms in the United States.

Current law prohibits firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national (i.e., alien) who is: (1) unlawfully present in the United States, or (2) lawfully present under a nonimmigrant visa (e.g., tourist visa). The prohibitions do not apply in certain circumstances.

This bill expands the prohibition to bar firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national who was lawfully admitted to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program.

The prohibitions do not apply to a foreign national lawfully admitted under the Visa Waiver Program if that foreign national is a government official or law enforcement officer, or possesses a hunting license. Additionally, such foreign national may apply for a Department of Justice waiver to allow firearm possession.

bill amends federal criminal code modify eligibility certain foreign nationals purchase possess firearms united_states current law prohibits firearm sale transfer possession foreign national alien unlawfully present united_states lawfully present nonimmigrant visa tourist visa prohibitions apply certain circumstances bill expands prohibition bar firearm sale transfer possession foreign national lawfully admitted united_states visa prohibitions apply foreign national lawfully admitted foreign national government official law enforcement officer possesses hunting license additionally foreign national apply department_of_justice waiver allow firearm possession


Summary:
Terrorist Refugee Infiltration Prevention Act of 2015

This bill prohibits the U.S. refugee admission of an alien who is a national of, has habitually resided in, or is claiming refugee status due to events in any country containing terrorist-controlled territory (Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and any other Department of State-designated country).

Such an alien may be admitted to the United States as a refugee if the alien:

 satisfies refugee admission requirements; is a member of a group designated by the State Department or by an Act of Congress as a victim of genocide (and the group does not pose a risk to U.S. security); has undergone the highest level of security screening of any category of traveler to the United States, including full multi-modal biometrics; and the State Department, the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) certify that such alien is not a threat to U.S. national security. These requirements shall not apply to the U.S. refugee admission of an alien who: (1) provided substantial assistance to the United States, and (2) would face a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury because of that assistance if not admitted to the United States.

The State Department may designate as a country containing terrorist-controlled territory any country containing territory controlled, in substantial part, by a foreign terrorist organization to the exclusion of that country's recognized government.

The State Department shall maintain and continually update a list of: (1) the countries containing terrorist-controlled territory, and (2) groups identified as victims of genocide.

An alien may not be admitted into the United States under this Act solely based on his or her assertions, and DHS must substantiate any such assertions with the State Department, DOD, the FBI, and the DNI.

bill prohibits refugee admission alien national habitually resided claiming refugee status events country containing terrorist controlled territory iraq libya somalia syria yemen department_of_state designated country alien admitted united_states refugee alien satisfies refugee admission requirements member group designated state_department act congress victim genocide group pose risk security undergone highest level security screening category traveler united_states including multi modal biometrics state_department department_of_defense dod department_of_homeland_security dhs federal_bureau_of_investigation fbi director national_intelligence dni certify alien threat national security requirements shall apply refugee admission alien provided substantial assistance united_states face substantial risk death bodily injury assistance admitted united_states state_department designate country containing terrorist controlled territory country containing territory controlled substantial foreign terrorist organization exclusion country recognized government state_department shall maintain continually update list countries containing terrorist controlled territory groups identified victims genocide alien admitted united_states act solely based assertions dhs substantiate assertions state_department dod fbi dni


Summary:
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the visa waiver admission of an alien who has traveled to Iraq or Syria during the preceding five-year period.

The Department of Homeland Security may waive such prohibition.

bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act prohibit visa waiver admission alien traveled iraq syria preceding year period department_of_homeland_security waive prohibition


Summary:
State Refugee Security Act of 2015

This bill directs the Office of Refugee Resettlement to notify the state agency responsible for coordinating the placement or resettlement of an alien refugee not later than 21 days before the alien's arrival in the state.

No alien refugee shall be placed or resettled in a state if the governor certifies to the Office of Refugee Resettlement that it has failed, in the sole determination of the governor, to provide adequate assurance that such person does not present a security risk to the state.

bill directs office_of_refugee_resettlement notify state agency responsible coordinating placement resettlement alien refugee later days alien arrival state alien refugee shall placed resettled state governor certifies office_of_refugee_resettlement failed sole determination governor provide adequate assurance person present security risk state


Summary:
This bill prohibits a federal agency or instrumentality from using federal funds, fees, or resources to admit an alien into the United States as a refugee or to provide refugee resettlement assistance until each of the following occur:

 a joint resolution is enacted into law approving the most recent number of refugee admissions determined by the President; the Congressional Budget Office reports to Congress regarding specified refugee-related costs; the Department of Homeland Security reports to Congress regarding terrorist- and criminal-related activities of aliens admitted as refugees and asylees, and the number of such aliens subsequently removed from the United States for any reason; and the President reports to Congress regarding the preceding year's cost of refugee admissions, and recommendations for federal program spending cuts to offset such cost.

bill prohibits federal agency instrumentality federal funds fees resources admit alien united_states refugee provide refugee resettlement assistance following occur joint resolution enacted law approving recent number refugee admissions determined president congressional_budget_office reports congress specified refugee related costs department_of_homeland_security reports congress criminal related activities aliens admitted refugees asylees number aliens subsequently removed united_states reason president reports congress preceding year cost refugee admissions recommendations federal program spending cuts offset cost


Summary:
Refugee Resettlement Fund Act of 2015

This bill permits an alien applying for U.S. refugee admission who is referred for resettlement by the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) to be admitted only after the Department of the Treasury, in coordination with the revenue agency of the state in which the alien is to be resettled and a representative of the local government where the alien is to be resettled, determines that any admission and resettlement cost incurred by the federal, state, or local government is financed by a Refugee Resettlement Fund payment.

The bill establishes the Refugee Resettlement Fund in the Treasury, for deposit of only those amounts received from the UNHCR for refugee resettlement purposes.

refugee resettlement fund act bill permits alien applying refugee admission referred resettlement united_nations high commissioner refugees admitted department_of_the_treasury coordination revenue agency state alien resettled representative local government alien resettled determines admission resettlement cost incurred federal state local government financed payment bill establishes treasury deposit amounts received refugee resettlement purposes


Summary:
Cuban Immigrant Work Opportunity Act of 2015

This bill makes Cuban nationals who enter the United States on or after the date of enactment of this Act ineligible for refugee/parolee assistance under the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980.

Conforming amendments are made to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The Inspector General of the Social Security Administration shall report to Congress describing methods for enforcing the loss of Supplemental Security Income eligibility by persons who are absent from the United States for at least one month.

cuban immigrant work opportunity act bill makes cuban nationals enter united_states date enactment act ineligible refugee parolee assistance refugee education assistance act conforming amendments personal_responsibility_and_work_opportunity reconciliation act immigration_and_nationality_act inspector general social_security_administration shall report congress describing methods enforcing loss eligibility persons absent united_states month


Summary:
Resettlement REFORM (Re-Evaluation of Financing Our Refugee Mission) Act

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize a state to refuse without penalty to expend refugee resettlement assistance with respect to an alien who:

 is a national of a country that is a state sponsor of terrorism or a terrorist sanctuary, or has no nationality and the country in which the alien last habitually resided is a state sponsor of terrorism or a terrorist sanctuary. A state may not refuse to expend such funds with respect to an alien who is an Iraqi national (or spouse or children of one) who was employed by, or worked for the U.S. government in Iraq and has or is experiencing an ongoing serious threat because of such employment.

resettlement reform evaluation financing refugee mission act bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act authorize state refuse penalty expend refugee resettlement assistance respect alien national country state sponsor terrorism terrorist sanctuary nationality country alien habitually resided state sponsor terrorism terrorist sanctuary state refuse expend funds respect alien iraqi national spouse children employed worked government iraq experiencing ongoing threat employment


Summary:
K-1 Visa Program Suspension Act of 2015

This bill prohibits the admission of K-1 nonimmigrants (fiancee or fiance) and the issuance of K-1 visas.

The Government Accountability Office shall review the national security risks associated with the K-1 visa program.

suspension act bill prohibits admission nonimmigrants fiancee fiance issuance visas government_accountability_office shall review national security risks associated visa program


Summary:
Secure Accountability for Emigres and Refugees Act of 2015 or the SAFER Act of 2015

This bill requires that, before the U.S. refugee admission of a covered alien, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall ensure that such person:

 has passed a lie detector test; has submitted to DHS biometric identification information, including DNA, which DHS has compared against all relevant databases and determined that the person has no known history of terrorist activity; and does not pose a threat to U.S. national security based on a background check that includes a review of the person's Internet interactions, including social media services. "Covered alien" means an alien applying for U.S. refugee admission who: (1) is a national of Iraq or Syria, (2) has no nationality and whose last habitual residence was in Iraq or Syria, or (3) has been present in Iraq or Syria at any time on or after March 1, 2011.

secure accountability refugees act safer act bill requires refugee admission covered alien department_of_homeland_security dhs shall ensure person passed lie detector test submitted dhs biometric identification information including dna dhs compared relevant databases determined person known history terrorist activity pose threat national security based background check includes review person internet interactions including social media services covered alien means alien applying refugee admission national iraq syria nationality habitual residence iraq syria present iraq syria time march


Summary: This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to search all public records, including Internet sites and social media profiles, to determine if an alien applying for admission to the United States is inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

bill requires department_of_homeland_security search public records including internet sites social media profiles determine alien applying admission united_states inadmissible immigration nationality act


Summary:
Border Security and Accountability Act 2015

This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), together with other specified departments, to submit to Congress and the Government Accountability Office a U.S. border protection strategy.

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 is amended to require that international land border control actions accord with that strategy.

DHS shall implement:

 a monitoring and mitigation plan to address the ecological and environmental impacts of security infrastructure along the international land borders of the United States; and a plan to improve coordination among U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other federal, state, local, or tribal authorities to improve efforts to combat human smuggling. CBP shall make available to the public information collected on migrant deaths occurring along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Except in a national emergency or when required for specific counterterrorism duties, the Armed Forces may not assist in federal, state, and local and civilian law enforcement of immigration laws.

DHS shall establish a Border Communities Liaison Office in every patrol sector at the southern and northern borders.

The bill prescribes requirements for enhanced border cooperation with Mexico, including in the areas of: (1) border security, (2) human trafficking and smuggling, (3) drug trafficking, (4) gang membership, and (5) violence and border deaths.

DHS shall establish a Southern Border Security Task Force.

The bill establishes the Southern Border Security Commission.

DHS shall:

 issue policies regarding the use of force by DHS personnel; establish standards for the conditions of confinement for children in CBP custody; and consider safety and family concerns in any action related to the repatriation or prosecution of individuals apprehended for immigration violations. DHS may not establish any new border crossing fees for individuals crossing at land ports of entry along the southern and northern borders.

DHS must certify to Congress every six months, with specified exceptions, that it has only deported or otherwise removed a migrant from the United States through an entry or exit point on the southern border during daylight hours.

DHS shall make specified increases to the total number of full-time CBP officers and support staff at U.S. land ports of entry by September 30, 2020.

Each component of DHS shall comply with the Department of Justice Guidance for Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Regarding the Use of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, National Origin, Religion, Sexual Orientation, or Gender Identity.

border_security accountability act bill directs department_of_homeland_security dhs specified departments submit congress government_accountability_office border protection strategy illegal immigration reform immigrant responsibility act amended require international land border control actions accord strategy dhs shall implement monitoring mitigation plan address ecological environmental impacts security infrastructure international land borders united_states plan improve coordination cbp federal state local tribal authorities improve efforts combat human smuggling cbp shall available public information collected migrant deaths occurring border national emergency required specific counterterrorism duties armed_forces assist federal state local civilian law enforcement immigration laws dhs shall establish patrol sector southern northern borders bill prescribes requirements enhanced border cooperation mexico including areas border security human trafficking smuggling drug trafficking gang membership violence border deaths dhs shall establish bill establishes dhs shall issue policies use force dhs personnel establish standards conditions confinement children cbp custody consider safety family concerns action related repatriation prosecution individuals apprehended immigration violations dhs establish new border crossing fees individuals crossing land ports entry southern northern borders dhs certify congress months specified exceptions deported removed migrant united_states entry exit point southern border daylight hours dhs shall specified increases total number time cbp officers support staff land ports entry september component dhs shall comply gender religion sexual orientation


Summary:
Vet Electronic Trails Act of 2015

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Department of Homeland Security, before issuing any immigrant or nonimmigrant visa, to check a person's interactions on and posting of material to the Internet (including social media services) in order to ensure that he or she is not a U.S. security threat.

bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act require department_of_homeland_security issuing immigrant nonimmigrant visa check person interactions posting material internet including social media services order ensure security threat


Summary:
Equal Protection in Travel Act of 2016

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the prohibition against participation in the visa waiver program of an alien who, regardless of whether the alien is a national of a program country, is a national of: (1) Iraq or Syria, (2) a country designated as a country that has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism, or (3) any other country or area of concern.

bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act eliminate prohibition participation visa waiver program alien regardless alien national program country national iraq syria country designated country repeatedly provided support acts international terrorism country area concern


Summary:
Finish the Fence Act of 2016

This bill amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to construction of border fencing and road improvements to direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to complete the required 700-mile southwest border fencing by December 31, 2016.

The Secure Fence Act of 2006 is amended to direct DHS, in consultation with state and local officials along the U.S.-Mexico border, to achieve operational control over U.S. international land and maritime borders by December 31, 2016.

finish fence act bill amends illegal immigration reform immigrant responsibility act respect construction border fencing road improvements direct department_of_homeland_security dhs complete required mile southwest border fencing december secure fence act amended direct dhs consultation state local officials border achieve operational control international land maritime borders december


Summary:
Resist Executive Amnesty on Defense Installations Act or the READI Act

This bill prohibits the use of a military installation to house any alien unlawfully present in the United States.

resist executive amnesty defense installations act act bill prohibits use military installation house alien unlawfully present united_states


Summary:
Build the Fence Act of 2016

This bill amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to complete the required southwest border fencing by December 31, 2017.

The Secure Fence Act of 2006 is amended to direct DHS to achieve operational control over U.S. international land and maritime borders by the same date.

Until such fencing is completed:

 DHS may not obligate or expend any amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to it for facilities construction or maintenance, vehicle purchases, or other non-essential purchases or acquisitions; and no politically appointed DHS official or senior executive service employee may travel using government aircraft, receive any non-essential training, or receive any bonus pay salary increase.

build fence act bill amends illegal immigration reform immigrant responsibility act direct department_of_homeland_security dhs complete required southwest border fencing december secure fence act amended direct dhs achieve operational control international land maritime borders date fencing completed dhs obligate expend amounts appropriated available facilities construction maintenance vehicle purchases non essential purchases acquisitions politically appointed dhs official senior executive service employee travel government aircraft receive non essential training receive bonus pay salary increase


Summary:
ICE Agent Support Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to refund out of the Immigration Enforcement Account the amount paid out of any appropriation for expenses incurred by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for:

 identification, investigation, apprehension, detention, and removal of criminal aliens, including providing staffing levels within the Enforcement and Removal Operations division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; maintenance and updating of systems used by the division to identify and track criminal aliens, deportable aliens, inadmissible aliens, and aliens illegally entering the United States; and purchase of firearms, vehicles, and other safety or apprehension equipment for the division. DHS shall establish the percentage of positions within the division that shall be classified as a criminal investigator position.

ice agent bill directs department_of_the_treasury refund paid appropriation expenses incurred department_of_homeland_security dhs identification investigation apprehension detention removal criminal aliens including providing staffing levels division maintenance updating systems division identify track criminal aliens deportable aliens inadmissible aliens aliens illegally entering united_states purchase firearms vehicles safety apprehension equipment division dhs shall establish percentage positions division shall classified criminal investigator position


Summary:
American Jobs First Act of 2016

This bill amends the the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise the H-1B nonimmigrant visa (specialty occupation) program, including by declaring that a petitioner employer:

 must offer an annual wage to the H-1B nonimmigrant that is the greater of the annual wage paid to the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident employee who did identical or similar work during the previous 2 years, or $110,000, if offered not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act (with an annual inflation adjustment); will not require an H-1B nonimmigrant to pay a penalty for ending employment before the agreed on date; will not replace or contract to replace a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident with one or more nonimmigrants; has not displaced, terminated without cause, or otherwise involuntarily separated a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident employee during the four-year period beginning two years before the H-1B visa petition was filed; and shall attest in the H-1B application that during the previous two-year period there has not been an employee-initiated strike or an employer-initiated lockout, and that no employee in the same or substantially similar occupational classification has been displaced, terminated without cause, or otherwise involuntarily separated without cause. The bill also revises penalty and transparency requirements, and eliminates the H-1B-dependent employer category.

The Department of Labor shall establish a process for the receipt, investigation, and disposition of complaints respecting an employer's: (1) failure to meet an application condition, or (2) misrepresentation of material facts in an application.

No nonimmigrant foreign student present in the United States may be provided U.S. employment authorization under the optional practical training program (or any successor program) without an express Act of Congress authorizing such a program.

 An H-1B nonimmigrant must have a doctorate or post-doctorate degree, or the foreign equivalent of such a degree.

A nonimmigrant with an undergraduate degree or a combination of undergraduate and masters degrees (or the foreign equivalents) must have at least 10 years of relevant post-degree experience for program eligibility.

The bill gives employment placement priority to a nonimmigrant with one or more doctorate or post-doctorate degrees from a U.S.-based university.

Foreign educational institutions must have educational standards certification from Labor.

An employer may not require a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident employee to sign any nondisparagement or nondisclosure agreement that conditions receipt of any financial or nonfinancial benefit from the employer upon the nondisclosure of the employer's potential misuse of the H-1B visa program.

A U.S. district court shall have jurisdiction to address civil actions by any person claiming H-1B program misuse. A U.S. court of appeals shall have jurisdiction over related appeals for cases originating from a U.S. district court within that circuit. The Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction to address appeals of civil actions by any person claiming H-1B program misuse for cases originating from any U.S. court of appeals.

The bill eliminates the diversity visa lottery program.

american jobs act bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act revise h-1b nonimmigrant visa specialty occupation program including declaring petitioner employer offer annual wage h-1b nonimmigrant greater annual wage paid citizen lawful permanent resident employee identical similar work previous years offered later year date enactment act annual inflation adjustment require h-1b nonimmigrant pay penalty ending employment agreed date replace contract replace citizen lawful permanent resident nonimmigrants displaced terminated cause involuntarily separated citizen lawful permanent resident employee year period beginning years h-1b visa petition filed shall attest h-1b application previous year period employee initiated strike employer initiated lockout employee substantially similar occupational classification displaced terminated cause involuntarily separated cause bill revises penalty transparency requirements eliminates h-1b dependent employer category department_of_labor shall establish process receipt investigation disposition complaints respecting employer failure meet application condition misrepresentation material facts application nonimmigrant foreign student present united_states provided employment authorization optional practical training program successor program express act congress authorizing program h-1b nonimmigrant doctorate post doctorate degree foreign equivalent degree nonimmigrant undergraduate degree combination undergraduate masters degrees foreign equivalents years relevant post degree experience program eligibility bill gives employment placement priority nonimmigrant doctorate post doctorate degrees university foreign educational institutions educational standards certification labor employer require citizen lawful permanent resident employee sign nondisclosure agreement conditions receipt financial nonfinancial benefit employer nondisclosure employer potential misuse h-1b visa program district court shall jurisdiction address civil actions person claiming h-1b program misuse court appeals shall jurisdiction related appeals cases originating district court circuit supreme_court shall jurisdiction address appeals civil actions person claiming h-1b program misuse cases originating court appeals bill eliminates diversity visa lottery program


Summary:
Support and Defend Our Military Personnel and Their Families Act

This bill states that any person who serves or has served under honorable conditions as a member of the Armed Forces in support of contingency operations shall be eligible for naturalization as if the person had served during a period of presidentially-designated military hostilities.

 The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is amended to extend the period for filing a naturalization application to one year after completion of eligible military service.

 An alien who is eligible for a family-sponsored immigrant visa and is either the spouse or child of a permanent resident alien who is serving in the Armed Forces shall be exempt from worldwide immigrant visa numerical limitations.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may adjust to permanent resident status an alien who is a parent, spouse, child, son or daughter, or minor sibling of a person who is serving or has served in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions. The bill permits posthumous benefits under specified circumstances.

 With respect to a removal proceeding under INA:

 a notice to appear shall not be issued against an alien who serves or has served under honorable conditions in the Armed Forces without prior DHS approval; DHS, in determining whether to issue a notice, shall consider the alien's eligibility for naturalization, military service record, grounds of deportability, and any hardship to the Armed Forces, the alien, and his or her family if the alien were to be placed in removal proceedings; and an alien who serves or has served under honorable conditions in the Armed Forces shall not be removed from the United States on specified grounds.

support families act bill states person serves served honorable conditions member armed_forces support contingency operations shall eligible naturalization person served period presidentially designated military hostilities immigration_and_nationality_act ina amended extend period filing naturalization application year completion eligible military service alien eligible family sponsored immigrant visa spouse child permanent resident alien serving armed_forces shall exempt worldwide immigrant visa numerical limitations department_of_homeland_security dhs adjust permanent resident status alien parent spouse child son daughter minor sibling person serving served armed_forces honorable conditions bill permits posthumous benefits specified circumstances respect removal proceeding ina notice appear shall issued alien serves served honorable conditions armed_forces prior dhs approval dhs determining issue notice shall consider alien eligibility naturalization military service record grounds deportability hardship armed_forces alien family alien placed removal proceedings alien serves served honorable conditions armed_forces shall removed united_states specified grounds


Summary:
Keeping American Jobs Act

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the admission of an H-1B visa (specialty occupation) nonimmigrant worker if the Department of Labor determines that the H-1B application was filed by the prospective employer for the primary purpose of using one or more U.S. workers to train the H-1B worker in the job duties and responsibilities of the U.S. workers in order to lay off the U.S. workers and move their job or jobs abroad, unless the application states that the employer did not and will not displace a U.S. worker within the period beginning 90 days before and ending 90 days after the date of filing of any visa petition supported by the application.

keeping american jobs act bill amends immigration_and_nationality_act prohibit admission h-1b visa specialty occupation nonimmigrant worker department_of_labor determines h-1b application filed prospective employer primary purpose workers train h-1b worker job duties responsibilities workers order lay workers job jobs abroad application states employer displace worker period beginning days ending days date filing visa petition supported application


Summary:
Expedited Family Reunification Act of 2016

This bill amends the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 to provide that any unaccompanied alien child (UAC) who has not been a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons or does not have a credible fear of persecution on returning to his or her country of nationality or of last habitual residence shall be:

 placed in removal proceedings, eligible for voluntary departure at no cost to the child, and provided with access to counsel. (Currently such expedited removal requirements apply to unaccompanied children from countries that are contiguous to the United States.)

The Department of State shall negotiate agreements, in addition to countries contiguous to the United States, between the United States and Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and any other appropriate country regarding the repatriation of children.

The requirements of this Act are applied to any UAC apprehended on or after June 15, 2012.

expedited family reunification act bill amends william_wilberforce_trafficking_victims_protection_reauthorization_act provide unaccompanied alien child uac victim severe form trafficking persons credible fear persecution returning country nationality habitual residence shall placed removal proceedings eligible voluntary departure cost child provided access counsel currently expedited removal requirements apply unaccompanied children countries contiguous united_states department_of_state shall negotiate agreements addition countries contiguous united_states united_states belize costa_rica el_salvador guatemala honduras nicaragua panama appropriate country repatriation children requirements act applied uac apprehended june