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Pending legislation

Published Tuesday, December 30th, 2003

Below is a summary of some of the federal immigration legislation Congress is considering.

AgJOBS Act (S. 1645; H.R. 3142)

Sponsors: Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho; Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah.

Would offer amnesty to undocumented migrant farm workers who have worked in agriculture for three years. It also would expand agriculture guest worker program, known as H2-A.
BE REAL Act (H.R. 3534)

Sponsor: Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo.

Seeks to crack down on illegal immigration by increasing the number of border control agents and immigration agents. It also would create a national, mandatory electronic employment eligibility verification system.
Dream Act (S. 1545)

Sponsor: Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

Would allow children of undocumented immigrants to attend college in the United States. To qualify, an applicant must be younger than 16 at the time of the enactment and have been in the country for at least five years before the law's effective date.
During the six-year term, the applicant must either go to a trade school, enter a bachelor's degree program, serve in the military or perform community service. It also would give states the option of letting applicants pay in-state tuition.

Border Security and Immigration Improvement Act (H.R. 2899; S.1461)

Sponsors: Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz.; Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Would create two new visa categories. H-4A visas would be available to foreign workers wanting to work temporary jobs in the United States. After three years, a visa holder could petition to become a legal permanent resident.
H-4B visas would be available to undocumented workers already in the country. Applicants would have to pay a $1,500 fee, but if approved, could stay for three years. At the end of the term, they would be eligible to apply for the H-4A program.

CLEAR Act (H.R. 2671)

Sponsor: Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-Ga.

Clear Law Enforcement for criminal Alien Removal would encourage local law enforcement officers to enforce immigration laws by giving them money and training. It also would give them access to a database containing information on immigration law violators.