Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Immigration Bill

After intense debate, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the "Gang of 8" immigration reform bill. Now that it has been approved in committee, it will go to the entire Senate for approval.

The committee debated over two hundred amendments to the bill, and compromised on some important points. The main purpose of the bill, to provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, remains in the text. However, the availability of this pathway is conditioned on the success of border security measures. Technology companies cheered a provision that would increase the number of H-1B technical worker visas allowed each year, while labor unions opposed the measure. 

The bill does not include a provision that would have allowed gay and lesbian U.S. citizens to petition for their same-sex spouses to gain status. Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy wrote the amendment, but withdrew it amid fears that Republicans would use it to block the passage of the bill.  Multiple senators expressed great regret at the decision to remove the amendment, with Sen. Chuck Schumer calling it "rank discrimination" to treat same-sex spouses differently under immigration law. Although this amendment will not be included in the language of the bill, there is a possibility that same-sex spouses could receive the same immigration opportunities as opposite-sex spouses currently do, if DOMA is overturned in the Supreme Court.

Some harsh provisions were removed from consideration, including Senator Ted Cruz's suggestion of barring immigrants for life from receiving public assistance.  Senators also added some measures to protect immigrants' rights, such as a ban on raids in schools, hospitals and places of worship.

Glickman Turley's attorneys are closely following the debates in Congress. We are thinking ahead about options for our clients under the new laws. Contact us today if you have immigration questions.

Senators May File Immigration Bill Today

Today the "Gang of 8" lawmakers may release their draft bill. Even Sen. Marco Rubio is said to support this negotiated compromise to immigration reform.

The bill is rumored to address topics previously reported in the media, including a ten-year waiting period for undocumented immigrants; a multi-million dollar increase in border security funding; and special provisions for "DREAMers," or children who do not have legal status but have been raised and educated as Americans. The bill may also include special provisions for agricultural and other workers. Businesses are pushing for increased visa eligibility for engineers and tech workers, which would help immigrant entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, the bill could also end the "diversity visa" program and reduce the availability of visas for family members of U.S. citizens.

However, even when the Senate bill is released, this first draft could look significantly different from the final version. A poll by the Washington Post shows popular support for a "path to citizenship," but that issue is still contentious within Congress.

DHS Announced Initiatives For Highly Skilled Immigrants in the United States

The Department of Homeland Security announced a set of initiatives designed to attract and retain highly skilled immigrants in the United States. The Obama Administration has expressed that these immigration reforms will encourage further job creation as the country continues its economic recovery in the future. The President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness released a report that said, "Highly skilled immigrants create jobs, they don't take jobs."

President Obama stated in his State of the Union address that keeping highly skilled immigrants in the United States will help boost the nation's competitiveness in an ever-changing world economy. His administration supports legislation such as "creating a 'Startup Visa,' strengthening the H-1B program, and 'stapling' green cards to the diplomas of certain foreign-born graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields."

To read more on the Department of Homeland Security's future administrative reforms for highly skilled immigrants and foreign entrepreneurs, click here.

Glickman Turley's experienced attorneys represent individuals on a wide range of immigration matters, as well as other legal issues. Please contact our attorneys if you wish to discuss representation on immigration matters, real estate purchase and sales, condominium associations, criminal defense, non-profit law, civil litigation, business litigation, business law, probate matters including wills, powers of attorney, health care proxy, same-sex parent adoptions, guardianships, animal law, or LGBT legal matters.