WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 5570, The Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008

Comment by matt (October 1, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

While there is some abuse, this bill secures one of the most basic pillars of our nation - religious freedom. I agree this bill must be well defined to eliminate fraud....

Comment by Carrie (October 1, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I voted for the bill. Why kick people out? It's not smart....

Comment by Mel (September 27, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I suggest that we all right to everyone we know to urge senators to move on this asap urgent....

Comment by mel (September 27, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

regarding the preach hate comment - that is NO basis to stop this bill going through as the Visa as there is an opportunity to decline the initiali R1 visa and they do a good job of vetting applicants. Why should the good folk and congregations who need people be impacted by a probably few bad eggs passing through? The good far outweighs the bad. I am so sick of people using the "bad guys" as an excuse for denying the "good-guys." By the way our own home bred preachers seem to do a better job ofpreaching hate than anyone else....

Comment by Peter (September 25, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I have been working at my Church for 3+ years, and my I-360 was only just approved. But I cannot move ahead with this because I have to wait and see whether the Senate will extend the program. Will the Senate vote happen soon?...

Comment by Estelle (September 24, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I hope the Senate passes the extension of this bill soon. There are really sincere people who really needs this and as Homeland Security has already started site visits, I am sure fraud will be eliminated. I speak of experience as Homeland Security was at my church and two weeks later my I-360 was approved....

Comment by neno (September 9, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Well said Mike, it is only 0.4 fraud issues discovered through this visa category, the program has to continue and eliminate the sunset deadline permenantly. The problem is with immigration staff who needs to be trained adequately in identifying the good and the bad one aquiring such visa....

Revision by webmaster (August 2, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 5570 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the sunset in the special immigrant nonminister religious worker visa program.

Detailed Summary

Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue final regulations to eliminate or reduce fraud in the special immigrant non-minister religious worker program by December 31, 2008.

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) extend the special immigrant program for non-minister religious workers until January 1, 2010; and (2) extend the program until January 1, 2016, (to be effective March 1, 2009) if the Secretary issues such final regulations by December 31, 2008.

Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress on such regulations' effectiveness by September 30, 2010. Requires that such report shall include an analysis of a random sample of non-minister special immigrant religious workers, before their second anniversary of being admitted, to determine whether they are still employed by the religious organization that petitioned for them, and if not, the reasons for their departure from such employment.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 8/1/2008: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of August 1, 2008

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

8/1/2008: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Revision by webmaster (June 19, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 5570 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the sunset in the special immigrant nonminister religious worker visa program.

Detailed Summary

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 4/16/2008: Received in the Senate.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (June 3, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 5570 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the sunset in the special immigrant nonminister religious worker visa program.

Detailed Summary

Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the October 1, 2008, U.S. entry date requirement with respect to the special immigrant (nonminister) religious worker program.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 4/16/2008: Received in the Senate.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Comment by Mike (June 2, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The House has done a perfect job. I'm a religious worker and I'm concerned about the issue. It is a fact that R-1 visa provides support to religious organizations in order to fill their need of religious professional workers since a lot of citizens are not interested in religious professional and non-professional work. Yes the program has a huge rate of scam but the Departmet of Homeland Security is doing a wonderful job to cover that gap. Once more, GOOD JOB....

Comment by Mia (April 21, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

This program is the one that some folks use to get into the US and then preach hate against us. I oppose this program until we have a better method of vetting the people who are requesting entry. Our current methods are not working....

Revision by webmaster (April 17, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 5570 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the sunset in the special immigrant nonminister religious worker visa program.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 4/16/2008: Received in the Senate.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (April 16, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 5570 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the sunset in the special immigrant nonminister religious worker visa program.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 4/15/2008: Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of April 16, 2008

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

4/16/2008: Received in the Senate.

Revision by webmaster (April 15, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 5570 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the sunset in the special immigrant nonminister religious worker visa program.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 4/14/2008: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 364.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of April 15, 2008

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

4/15/2008: Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

Status as of April 14, 2008

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

4/14/2008: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 364.

Revision by webmaster (April 4, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 5570 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the sunset in the special immigrant nonminister religious worker visa program.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 4/2/2008: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of April 2, 2008

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

4/2/2008: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Revision by webmaster (March 14, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 5570 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the sunset in the special immigrant nonminister religious worker visa program.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 3/12/2008: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by the Yeas and Nays: 8 - 1 .

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of March 12, 2008

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

3/12/2008: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by the Yeas and Nays: 8 - 1 .

Revision by webmaster (March 11, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 5570 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the sunset in the special immigrant nonminister religious worker visa program.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

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Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (March 11, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 5570 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the sunset in the special immigrant nonminister religious worker visa program.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 3/10/2008: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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