http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/ Important information from Democratic Policy & Communications Center. en-us Copyright 2013 Democratic Policy & Communications Center Wed, 22 May 2013 02:58:29 EST    535      Hours to Read the Bill Before Start of Committee Markup    163    Amendments Considered in Committee   30      Republican Amendments Accepted 29+     Hours Spent Deliberating in Committee Markup    101      Days From Introduction of Bipartisan Framework To Scheduled Committee Markup      40      Pages You Would Need to Read Per Day to Finish the Bill Before Scheduled Committee Markup      12      Full Committee Hearings on Immigration and Border Security in 2013 Before Markup      42      Judiciary Committee Witnesses on Immigration This Year      78%      Republicans' Support for the Bipartisan Immigration Reform Plan [Winston Group, 4/25/13]      84%       Americans' Support for a Path to Citizenship [CNN, 4/16/13]     http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=238 Tue, 21 May 2013 20:00:00 EST SEN. MCCONNELL: PASS A BUDGET THROUGH REGULAR ORDER Sen. McConnell (R-KY): 'A second term presents the opportunity to do things differently, and in the Senate that means a return to regular order. Later this week, the House plans to send the Senate a bill to address the debt limit in a timely manner. Once we get it, the Senate should quickly respond. If the Senate version is different than the one the House sends over, send it off to conference. That's how things are supposed to work around here. We used to call it legislating.' [McConnell Floor Remarks, 1/22/13] Sen. McConnell (R-KY): 'Why aren't we trying to do something about reducing spending? We know we need to do it. When are we going to do it? We don't need to use the deadlines. We could go through the regular order. Congress could pass bills. They could have conferences between the House and Senate.' [ABC This Week, 1/6/13] Sen. McConnell (R-KY): 'But, in any event, we ought not to ignore the law any longer. And I think it's a good step in the direction of getting back to regular order, which we ought to follow, it strikes me, most of the time, unless there's a pretty strong reason not to do that.' [Press Conference, 1/29/13] REPUBLICANS ASKED AND ASKED AGAIN FOR THE SENATE TO PASS A BUDGET RESOLUTION Sen. Thune (R-SD): 'It all started with the fact that this Chamber has not produced a budget for now 3 years in a row.' [Floor Remarks, 9/13/12] Sen. Corker (R-TN): 'We have not had a budget in this body for 1,240 days.' [Floor Remarks, 9/20/12] Sen. Cornyn (R-TX):  '1,387 days since the United States Senate has passed a budget.' [Floor Remarks, 2/14/13] Sen. Coats (R-IN): 'It has been 1,372 days since the United States Senate passed a budget.' [Floor Remarks, 1/30/13] Sen. Cornyn (R-TX):  'But it starts with passing a budget, something Senate Democrats haven't done for 1,414 days.' [Floor Remarks, 3/13/13] Sen. Isakson (R-GA): 'Let's get back to the business of America. Let's get a budget to the floor.' [Floor Remarks, 9/20/12] Sen. McConnell (R-KY): 'I don't think the law says 'pass a budget unless it's hard.' So I think there's no question that we would -- we would take up our responsibility.'  [Press Conference, 1/24/12] Sen. McConnell (R-KY): 'A second term presents the opportunity to do things differently, and in the Senate that means a return to regular order. Later this week, the House plans to send the Senate a bill to address the debt limit in a timely manner. Once we get it, the Senate should quickly respond. If the Senate version is different than the one the House sends over, send it off to conference. That's how things are supposed to work around here. We used to call it legislating.' [McConnell Floor Remarks, 1/22/13] Sen. Blunt (R-MO): 'These problems are big, but they are not necessarily that complicated. We just have to have the willpower to deal with them. This Congress has not done that. This Senate, more importantly, has not done that. The House has passed bills. The House has passed a budget .' [Floor Remarks, 9/20/12] BUT NOW, REPUBLICANS ARE STANDING IN THE WAY Sen. Toomey (R-PA): 'Mr. President, the ranking member of the Budget Committee, Senator Sessions, is not available because he has a conflict at the moment. On his behalf, I object.' [Floor Remarks, 4/23/13] Sen. Cruz (R-TX): 'Yes. I object.' [Floor Remarks, 5/6/13] Sen. McConnell (R-KY): 'I object.' [Floor Remarks, 5/7/13] Sen. McConnell (R-KY): 'I object.' [Floor Remarks, 5/8/13] Sen. McConnell (R-KY): 'I object.' [Floor Remarks, 5/9/13] Sen. McConnell (R-KY): 'I object.' [Floor Remarks, 5/14/13] Sen. McConnell (R-KY): 'I object.' [Floor Remarks, 5/15/13] Sen. Lee (R-UT): 'I object.' [Floor Remarks, 5/16/13] Sen. Paul (R-KY): 'I object.' [Floor Remarks, 5/21/13] http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=news&id=239 Tue, 21 May 2013 17:15:00 EST http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=news&id=240 Tue, 21 May 2013 09:45:00 EST El Comité Judicial del Senado el martes continuó debatiendo el Proyecto de Ley Para la Seguridad Fronteriza, Oportunidades Económicas y Modernización Migratoria del 2013.  El debate comenzó a las 10:00 a.m., y concluyó a las 5:10 p.m. Durante la Sesión del Martes el Comité consideró un total de 38 enmiendas.  Casi la mitad de las enmiendas consideradas fueron propuestas por republicanos. De las 38 enmiendas, 24 fueron aceptadas, todas --a excepción de una-- con apoyo bipartidista. El jueves, 9 de mayo, se discutieron 35 enmiendas. Un Enfoque Sobre las Necesidades Laborales del País El martes, el Comité concluyó la consideración de la sección pre-Título I del proyecto de ley (seguridad fronteriza), y enseguida inició la consideración del Título IV, que comprende visas de no-inmigrantes. El Comité consideró enmiendas para fortalecer y mejorar los programas H-1B y aquel conocido como programa de visas STEM (para personas con habilidades en ciencias, matemáticas, ingeniería y tecnología) para atraer a la economía estadounidense mano de obra altamente calificada y promover innovación en el país. El Comité rechazó intentos para restringir seriamente la inmigración legal, lo cual hubiese obstaculizado la habilidad de los empleadores de cumplir con sus metas de contratación de personal. Durante la sesión del martes, el Comité también adoptó enmiendas para cerrar brechas en el programa de visas estudiantiles, mientras que a la vez se protegían las vías para que los estudiantes extranjeros legítimos pudieran continuar sus estudios en los Estados Unidos.  El Comité también adoptó medidas para evitar fraude con el programa de visas H-1B al establecer requisitos de auditoria. A Continuación una Lista en Inglés de las Enmiendas Adoptadas el Martes *NOTE: Summaries reflect purpose statements included in the proposed amendment. Feinstein11 (as amended) - To modify the extent of the Southwest border region for purposes of border security - Adopted by Voice Vote Coons2 (as amended) - To limit dangerous deportation practices - Adopted by Voice Vote Schumer1 - To make technical amendments - Adopted by Voice Vote Sessions4 - To require the use of a biometric entry and exit data system at ports of entry before the Secretary of Homeland Security may adjust the status of aliens who have been granted registered provisional immigrant status - Vote: 6-12 (Not Agreed To) Lee1 - In the nature of a substitute - Withdrawn Lee2 - In the nature of a substitute - Withdrawn Lee3 - In the nature of a substitute - Withdrawn Sessions1 - To provide for future immigration and limit the number of nonimmigrant aliens who may be authorized for employment in the United States - Vote: 1-17 (Not Agreed To) Whitehouse6 (as amended) - To modify provisions related to complaints against H-1B employers - Adopted by Voice Vote Grassley58 - To require additional information in Internet job postings for nonimmigrant employment in connection with the issuance of H-1B visas - Adopted by Voice Vote Hatch9 (as amended) - To increase the labor certification fee required under section 212(a)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and to use these fees to enhance the economic competitiveness of the United States by improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and training in the United States - Adopted by Voice Vote Grassley67 - To require audits of additional audits of employers employing H-1B nonimmigrants and L nonimmigrants - Vote: 2-15-1 Cruz5 - To amend the provisions in the Immigration and Nationality Act relating o the numerical limitations for H-1B nonimmigrants - Vote: 4-14 (Not Agree To) Grassley60 - To provide that the good faith efforts to recruit in the United States apply to all employers in connection with the issuance of H-1B visas - Vote: 2-15-1 (Not Agreed To) Grassley62 - To strike provisions relating to intending immigrants in connection with the issuance of H-1B visas - Vote: 2-15-1 (Not Agreed To) Grassley56 - To strike the authority relating to interview waivers for low risk visa applicants - Vote: 9-9 (Not Agreed To) Schumer3 - To make certain nationals of countries that benefit from the African Growth and Opportunity Act of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act eligible for E nonimmigrant visas - Adopted by Voice Vote Grassley70 - To delay the issuance of E-5 Visas to nationals of South Korea until South Korea has fully removed age-based import restrictions on beef from the United States - Not Agreed to by Voice Vote Klobuchar 3 - To require a pilot program to conduct interviews for certain nonimmigrant visas using secure remote video conferencing technology - Adopted by Voice Vote Sessions13 (as amended) - To require aliens who may be a threat to national security to submit to an in person interview with a consular officer when applying for a visa - Vote: 10-8 (Agreed To) Blumenthal17 - To strengthen the whistleblower protections for H-2B nonimmigrants - Withdrawn Hirono15 - To permit Medicaid coverage for citizens of the Freely Associated States - Adopted by Voice Vote Grassley 69 (as amended) - To improve student and exchange visitor visa programs - Adopted by Voice Vote Schumer4 (as amended) - To permit aliens with proficiency in certain foreign languages to qualify as J nonimmigrants - Agreed to by Voice Vote Sessions6 - To prevent amendments to the visa waiver program from taking effect until the biometric entry and exit data system described in section 7208 of the 9/11 Commission Implementation Act of 2004 has been fully implemented and to strike the amendments to the waiver provision - Vote: 6-12 (Not Agreed To) Klobuchar1 - To provide immigration status for certain battered spouses and children - Adopted by Voice Vote Grassley77 - To require the Secretary to implement the transmission of data from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System to databases used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Adopted by Voice Vote Hirono2 - To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit nonimmigrant alien crewman to land temporarily in Hawaii - Adopted by Voice Vote Grassley68 - To delay the effectiveness of the provisions on dual intent for F nonimmigrants seeking higher degree until the deployment of the 2nd generation Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. - Vote: 9-9 (Not Agreed To) El Debate Continuará el Jueves 16 de mayo a las 9:30 a.m. El Comité concluyó la consideración del Pre-Título y el Título I, y logró buen progreso en torno al Título IV. El Presidente del Comité Patrick Leahy anunció hoy que el Comité continuará el proceso con el  Proyecto de Ley para La Seguridad Fronteriza, Oportunidad Económica, y Modernización Migratoria el jueves 16 de mayo a las 9:30 a.m.  El Comité finalizará el trabajo en torno al Título IV el jueves, y de ahí pasará al Título III, iniciando el debate en torno a las enmiendas de E-Verify.  Se espera que el Comité continúe trabajando el viernes. http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=news&id=245 Wed, 15 May 2013 10:04:00 EST Durante el debate de hoy, el Senador Sessions propuso una enmienda (Sessions 1) que limitaría severamente el número de inmigrantes a quienes se les permitiría entrar al país. El Senador Sessions ha repetidamente dado cifras falsas y exageradas las cuales indican que el proyecto de reforma migratoria bipartidista resultaría en la admisión de hasta 30 millones nuevos inmigrantes en un futuro. Cifras Exageradas de Futuros Inmigrantes El Senador Sessions engañosamente incrementa sus cifras al incluir a los 11 millones de inmigrantes indocumentados que ya están aquí y tuvieran que ganarse su residencia legal si pagan impuestos retroactivos, cuotas, y demuestran que no tienen antecedentes penales. Una reforma migratoria traería a estas personas a nuestro sistema legal para que puedan pagar impuestos y contribuyan a nuestra economía. Las cifras del Senador Session también engañosamente incluyen a los 4,5 millones de inmigrantes quienes han obedecido las leyes y están esperando su turno. Estos son individuos que han calificado para recibir su residencia permanente sin la necesidad de una reforma migratoria, y han estado esperando por varios años o hasta décadas para venir a nuestro país.                                                 Flujo Real de  Inmigrantes Futuros                                 De acuerdo con el Centro para el Progreso Americano, el proyecto de ley migratoria bipartidista mantendría la inmigración por los niveles actuales, y posiblemente los reduciría por 150,000. En Conclusión: La Reforma Migratoria Fortalecerá A Nuestra Economía El incremento de capital humano beneficiará a nuestra economía, y no la dañará. El presidente conservador del grupo de Estadounidenses por una Reforma Fiscal Grover Norquist, dijo que 'Las personas son un beneficio, no una carga... Aquellos quienes quieren hacernos menos amigables hacia los inmigrantes nos harían menos exitosos, menos prósperos, y menos Americanos.' http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=news&id=244 Wed, 15 May 2013 09:57:00 EST Un Cambio al Proyecto Original del Sen.Grassley Aplicaría las Metas de Seguridad Fronteriza a Todos los Sectores de la Frontera -No Solo los Sectores de Alto Riesgo Schumer: 'Planeamos Incluir Más Enmiendas Republicanas en los Próximos Días, a Medida que Continua el Debate' WASHINGTON, DC-El Senador Federal Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) aplaudió el jueves las ocho enmiendas republicanas que fueron incorporadas en el proyecto de ley bipartidista del Senado, durante el primer día de debate en el Comité Judicial. Los cambios se enfocan en mejoras a la supervisión del Congreso y el fortalecimiento de las medidas de la seguridad fronteriza dentro del proyecto. 'Estas son mejoras con buenas intenciones que fortalecen la propuesta. Nuestro plan es continuar aceptando todas las enmiendas republicanas que podamos. El Presidente del Comité Leahy ha liderado un proceso extremadamente abierto e inclusivo. Esta es la manera en que debe trabajar el Senado', dijo Schumer, quien es el presidente del Sub-Comité de Inmigración del Senado, y uno de los autores principales de la propuesta del Senado. Cuatro de las enmiendas republicanas aceptadas el jueves fueron introducidas por el Sen. Charles Grassley, el republicano de más alto rango en Comité Judicial del Senado. Una de las propuestas de Grassley requiere aplicar las metas de seguridad fronteriza a toda la frontera del Suroeste. La versión original de la propuesta del Senado se enfocaba en áreas de la frontera de 'alto riesgo' donde se registran más de 30.000 detenciones al año. A continuación algunas de la ocho enmiendas republicanas incorporadas el jueves: Grassley2 - Agrega los Comités Judiciales del Senado y la Cámara a la lista de comités y agencias que reciben reportes regulares sobre el estado de la seguridad fronteriza. Grassley5 - Requiere que el Ejecutivo Financiero del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional presente un reporte anual de auditorías financieras en torno al Fondos para la Reforma Migratoria Integral.  Sessions36 - Amplía las funciones del Ombudsman del Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos, USCIS por sus siglas en inglés para que incluya ayuda a las familias que han sido víctimas de crímenes cometidos por indocumentados, o víctimas de violencia, cerca de la frontera de Estados Unidos. Cornyn6 - Agrega tipos de tráfico humano severos a la lista de crímenes violentos que debe reportar el FBI. Flake1 - Incrementa el número de miembros en el Equipo de Trabajo para Supervisión de Seguridad Nacional de 26 a 29 y así poder incluir a 3 representantes de propiedades privadas. Un miembro representaría la frontera norte y dos representarían la región de la frontera sur. Flake 2 - Substituye reportes mensuales con  reportes con fechas límite cada 180 días. Añade que esos reportes sean entregados al administrador general. Añade una directriz para que el administrador general revise los reportes cada seis meses y emitan un reporte del estatus y el progreso de la estrategia de seguridad de la Frontera Sur a los comités del Congreso señalados en la sección 5. Grassley1-Aplica las metas de seguridad a todos los sectores de la frontera, no solo los sectores de 'alto riesgo' definidos como aquellos en los que se registran mínimo 30.000 detenciones. Grassley24 - Requiere auditorias anuales para entidades que reciban subvenciones bajo esta ley para evitar fraude, abuso, y el mal uso de los fondos. Prohíbe que estas organizaciones sin fines de lucro depositen los fondos en el extranjero. http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=news&id=243 Thu, 09 May 2013 18:30:00 EST Gracias Señor Presidente. Primero que nada quiero agradecerle por darnos tiempo aquí y por demostrar gran liderazgo al proceder con esta legislación. El Grupo de los 8 - cuatro de nosotros quienes somos miembros de este comité, junto con la Senadora Feinstein y el Senador Hatch -  le hemos dedicado bastante tiempo a este proyecto de ley y creemos que este proyecto es bueno, balanceado, y robusto ahora emprenderá su camino. Juzgamos que hemos tomado las consideraciones necesarias y hemos escrito un proyecto justo en el cual nadie obtiene todo lo que quiere, pero al final de cuentas significará una mejora dramática para nuestra economía, los estadounidenses, y sincronizará a nuestras leyes migratorias con lo que es bueno para los trabajadores estadounidenses. Y quiero decirle a mis colegas aquí, que nuestras acciones están fundadas en este punto fundamental: los estadounidenses quieren soluciones para la migración futura, y para sacar de las sombras a los 11 millones de indocumentados quienes viven en el país, solo si están convencidos que no habrá nuevas olas de inmigrantes. Este proyecto es el proyecto de ley más robusto que se ha presentado, con una alta probabilidad de ser aprobado y que parará el flujo de la inmigración ilegal - tan solo en la frontera. El Senador McCain y yo patrocinamos una enmienda hace unos años que invirtió cerca de $600 a $800 millones en la frontera y la efectividad subió de 68 a 82 por ciento. Invertimos mucho más - hasta $6.500 millones de dólares. La frontera se cerrará efectivamente con esta inversión. Tomamos en consideración la inmigración futura y nos aseguramos que las industrias con dificultades laborales reciban la ayuda que necesitan. Google mudó a 400 ingenieros a Vancouver  que trabajan con Google Maps porque las leyes de inmigración Canadienses permitieron a estos ingenieros entrar a su país. Google no pudo traerlos aquí. Al mismo tiempo, en el Estado de Nueva York, el productor de col más grande del estado, el Señor Yunker del Condado de Ontario, no cosechó miles de acres de col este año porque no consiguió suficientes trabajadores agrícolas. Debemos cambiar nuestras leyes para que las personas que puedan fortalecer a nuestra economía vengan a nuestro país. Y al mismo tiempo debemos recalcar que cuando las familias están separadas, lo más benévolo que podemos hacer es reunificarlas. Y porque podemos parar el flujo de inmigrantes dramáticamente, debemos hacer las dos cosas. Y los haremos, y lo haremos de manera justa. Sabemos que nuestro sistema de migración actual está roto, y sabemos que el estatus quo es inaceptable, pero también sabemos que hay muchos que quieren descarrilar este proyecto. Le pido a mis colegas, que si no están de acuerdo con todo, nadie lo está. Sean constructivos. Estamos abiertos a editar esta versión. Pero no descarrilen el proyecto, el cual yo creo, es la mejor oportunidad que ha tenido el país de aprobar una reforma migratoria y que francamente ayudará a sacarnos del estancamiento bipartidista en el que se encuentra el Senado, el Congreso, y el país. http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=news&id=242 Thu, 09 May 2013 15:06:00 EST Washington, D.C. - Los Senadores Republicanos de Texas, Cruz y Cornyn, presentaron enmiendas al proyecto de ley para reformar nuestro sistema migratorio que podrIan descarrilarlo. La enmienda del Senador Cruz busca negar permanentemente la ciudadanía para los todos los 11 millones de indocumentados que se encuentran dentro del país. Por su parte, las enmiendas del Senador Cornyn buscan aumentar la militarización de la frontera y agrega requisitos de seguridad fronteriza imposibles de alcanzar como condición para la legalización de los indocumentados. Las enmiendas de ambos Senadores descarrilarían la reforma migratoria ya que destruirían los pilares en los que se basa esta reforma. Lo bueno, lo malo y lo feo de las enmiendas a la reforma migratoria (Univisión) LINK  LINK  Abruman más de 300 enmiendas proyecto de reforma migratoria en EUA (Notimex) LINK Immigration Bill Faces First Major Test (TIME) Ted Cruz of Texas proposed blocking a path to citizenship for anyone who has ever been willfully in the U.S. without legal status - an amendment that would strip out the heart of the bill. LINK Ted Cruz Files Amendment To Deny Path To Citizenship As Senate Works On Bill (Fox News Latino) Cruz's amendments seek to further tighten border security, streamline the legal immigration process, deny public benefits to those here illegally, reform the high-skilled worker visa program and prohibit a path to citizenship for the undocumented. LINK Poison Pills And Deal Breakers: Senate Panel Considers 300 Amendments To Immigration Reform Bill (Talking Points Memo) Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who has called citizenship a deal breaker for conservatives, filed an amendment that would ban anyone who has ever been 'willfully present' in the United States without legal status from ever becoming a citizen - basically, everyone the bill's legalization provisions are designed to help. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), a critic of immigration reform, has submitted a lengthy amendment requiring 'operational control' of the border, a standard that Department of Homeland Security officials have criticized for being too inflexible. It also establishes a Border Commission of Southwestern officials to monitor security - the current draft only creates such a commission if the administration fails in its own attempts to implement the bill. LINK Immigration-reform bill faces 1st major test (Arizona Republic) Among the amendments offered to kill the bill is one by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, that would strip the legislation of one of its key foundations: providing a pathway to earned citizenship for illegal immigrants who have been in the country since Dec. 31, 2011, or earlier. The amendment states that 'no person who has previously been willfully present in the United States while not in lawful status shall be eligible for United States citizenship.' LINK Cruz Files Amendments to Immigration Reform Measure (Texas Tribune) U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has jumped into the immigration reform fray by filing a slew of amendments that call for additional fencing on the border and that block a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. The freshman senator also filed a measure that would prohibit local, state and federal governments from doling out entitlement benefits to the millions living in the country illegally. LINK Cruz draws battle lines on immigration (Houston Chronicle) The crux of Cruz's opposition to the Gang of Eight plan is its proposed pathway to citizenship for an estimated 11 million people currently living in the U.S. without proper legal documentation. Cruz also is seeking to bar undocumented immigrants from receiving any 'entitlement' benefits from local, state or federal agencies. LINK GOP sharpens knives for immigration (Politico) Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) would block undocumented immigrants from earning citizenship, a major cornerstone of the 844-page bill. Cruz, Lee, Sessions, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley and Texas Sen. John Cornyn filed amendments that challenge the main tenets of the bill, making it highly unlikely that any of them would back it without a major overhaul. For instance, Cruz's proposal to ensure no one who has been in the U.S. illegally will be eligible for the pathway to citizenship would clearly be a nonstarter for Democrats on the panel, as well as a few committee Republicans who see legalizing the 11 million undocumented immigrants as an integral part of reform. LINK Immigration reform's enemies, allies prepare battery of amendments (NBC) Sen. John Cornyn of Texas submitted his own 70-page plan to step up border security and stiffen the 'triggers' for the path to citizenship. Tea Party newcomer Ted Cruz -- also from Texas -- would triple the amount of federal agents currently stationed on the U.S.-Mexico border and quadruple the presence of drones and cameras. Cruz has proposed a measure that would flatly deny eligibility for citizenship to anyone who has been 'willfully present' in the United States without legal status. Those rules would apply even to undocumented immigrants who have returned to their home country or to children brought to the United States illegally by their parents - those who would be eligible for the DREAM Act provisions. LINK The Immigration Amendments You Need to Know (ABC/Univision) Undocumented Immigrants Should Never Be Citizens. Rather than waste his time making a path to citizenship more difficult for undocumented immigrants, Ted Cruz (R-Texas) took a more direct approach: ban it. An amendment submitted by Cruz would ban undocumented immigrants from ever becoming citizens. That's significantly harsher than current law, which doesn't provide a reasonable pathway to citizenship for most undocumented immigrants, but doesn't specifically ban it, either. LINK With 300 amendments, advocates brace for tough start of Senate immigration hearings (NBC Latino) Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz submitted an amendment to bar any undocumented immigrant from an eventual pathway to citizenship. Immigration reform advocates from the Alliance for Citizenship also expressed concern over other amendments, including one calling for mandatory DNA samples for those pursuing a path to citizenship, proposed by Utah Republican Orrin Hatch, or one calling for more  border security triggers before a pathway to citizenship is allowed, proposed by Texas Republican Senator Jon Cornyn. LINK Immigration reform: Four poison-pill amendments being considered (Denver Post) An amendment from Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas would bar most undocumented immigrants from being eligible for U.S. citizenship ever. Why it's a poison pill: A pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants is at the heart of the bipartisan proposal. LINK Altering Immigration Bill Risks Losing Senators' Votes (Bloomberg) Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, is proposing a full replacement of the border-security provisions. Cruz would triple the number of Border Patrol agents along the U.S.-Mexico border and quadruple surveillance equipment such as cameras and drones before any prospective citizen could be granted 'registered provisional immigrant' status. LINK 10 Immigration Amendments to Watch (Roll Call) Senate Republican Whip John Cornyn of Texas filed an amendment to set up a process for giving federal reimbursement to state and local governments for the costs associated with immigration enforcement and detention. The Lone Star State would undoubtedly receive a large share of that money because of its roughly 2,000-mile border with Mexico. LINK http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=news&id=241 Thu, 09 May 2013 13:18:00 EST Under President Obama's leadership, the economy has added private sector jobs for 38 straight months. During this span, 6.8 million private sector jobs have been created. In the Senate, Democrats are fighting to continue this positive trend and help speed along the economic recovery. Click here to see examples of jobs-boosting measures enacted so far by the Senate:     http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=172 Fri, 03 May 2013 09:30:00 EST 1.      Section 3. Effective Date Triggers - Technical amendments clarifying the citations for the Employment Verification System in the bill and clarifying the name of Agricultural Worker visa in the bill. 2.      Section 4. Southern Border Security Commission - Two grammatical corrections to the text. 3.      Section 5. Comprehensive Southern Border Security Strategy and Southern Border Fencing Strategy - Two grammatical corrections to the text. 4.      Section 6. Comprehensive Immigration Reform Trust Fund - Reorganization of the section to ensure that every fee that is collected within the legislation to pay for the cost of the legislation is included in the Trust Fund.  Technical corrections to the appropriations language to ensure that funds are properly collected and distributed to meet the goals of the legislation.   Increase in the upfront appropriation to the Department of Homeland Security and State Department to implement the legislation.  Amendment to ensure that the appropriation is immediately paid back to the Treasury upon the collection of the fees enumerated in the bill. Title I - Border Security 5.      Section 1101. Definitions - Added a definition of the Northern Border. 6.      Section 1102. Additional U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers- Two grammatical corrections to the text. Technical amendments clarifying the appropriations language and clarifying that the intent of this Section is to increase the fee for Visa Waiver visitors by $16 in order to fund the costs of 3,500 new Customs and Border Protection Officers.  The Travel Promotion fee is permanently reauthorized for use in travel promotion activities. 7.      Section 1104. Enhancement of Existing Border Security Operations-Clarified appropriations language and making five grammatical corrections to the text. Technical amendments clarifying the appropriations language. 8.      Section 1105. Border Security on Certain Federal Lands-Grammatical change. 9.      Section 1106. Equipment and Technology-Fixed subsection (a)(1) to make it consistent with subsection (a)(2) and (a)(3) and clarify that all unmanned systems are unarmed. 10.  Section 1108. Southwest Border Region Prosecution Initiative-Clarified the intent of the language to match the intent of the drafters that reimbursement is for immigration-related criminal cases. 11.  Section 1112. Training for Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Officers- Made two clarifying edits properly naming the governmental entities involved. 12.  Section 1113. Department of Homeland Security Border Oversight Task Force-Technical amendment clarifying appointments to the task force and requiring that DHS provide an explanation to the public if it disagrees with any findings of the DHS task force. 13.  Section 1116. Severability and Delegation-Clarifying that the Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to work with and empower other federal agencies to implement the provisions of this legislation. 14.  Section 2101. Registered Provisional Immigrant Status-Making 11 technical corrections improving the grammar of the section and fixing the appropriations language or legal cross-references in the section. 15.  Section 2102. Adjustment of Status of Registered Provisional Immigrants-Making 11 technical corrections improving the grammar of the section and fixing the appropriations language or legal cross-references in the section.  Clarifying that homeschooling can count toward the educational requirements.  Clarifying the date of selective service enrollment. 16.  Section 2103. The Dream Act-Clarifying that homeschooling can count toward the educational requirements. Made 8 technical corrections improving the grammar and legal citations of the section. 17.  Section 2104. Additional Requirements- Making 9 technical corrections improving the grammar and legal citations of the section.  Clarifying that information from an immigration application under this section shall be provided by the Secretary of Homeland Security to other law enforcement in connection with a criminal felony investigation even if that information is not requested. 18.  Section 2106. Grant Program to Assist Eligible Applicants-Three stylistic technical edits. 19.  Section 2107. Conforming Amendments to the Social Security Act-Clarifies that a state may terminate parental rights of a removed parent to a U.S. citizen child if the parent is unfit or unwilling to be a parent of the child.  Requires States to notify parents in immigration detention of an intent to terminate parental rights.  Several grammatical fixes. 20.  Section 2108. Government Contracting and Acquisition of Real Property Interest-Three grammatical fixes. 21.  Section 2202. Definitions-Amends the definition of agricultural employment to match the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. 22.  Section 2211. Requirements for Blue Card Status-Clarifies that an application for blue card status may be submitted through certain third parties.  Clarifies that qualified nonimmigrants who have participated in the H-2A Program may apply for blue card status from outside of the United States. Clarifies appropriations language, grammatical corrections to the text, and technical amendments clarifying the cross-referenced legal citations in the text.  Clarifies proper use of employment records for agricultural employers. 23.  Section 2212. Adjustment to Permanent Resident Status-Amends the legal citations for this section.  Clarifies definitions in the section to match previous sections.  Amends the appropriations language to conform with other sections of the bill. Amends the administrative and judicial review available to agricultural workers to match other sections of the text.  Adds the definition of federal tax liability from other sections of the bill. 24.  Section 2213. Use of Information-Amends the legal citation. 25.  Section 2214. Reports on Blue Cards-Amends the legal citations. 26.  Section 2231. Nonimmigrant Classification for Nonimmigrant Agricultural Workers-Amends the legal citations. Deletes requirement that the Secretary of Agricultural provide notice than an employer has accepted the terms and conditions of employment of a W-agricultural worker. 27.  Section 2232. Establishment of Nonimmigrant Agricultural Worker Program- Amends the definition of agricultural employment to match the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. Amends the legal citations in the section. Adds a requirement of consultation with the Secretary of Labor regarding an adjustment of the agricultural worker cap.  Clarifies that renewal of 3-year terms for agricultural workers is available. Clarifies the time the Secretary of Agriculture has to make a decision on petitions to increase worker numbers.  Clarifies appropriations language and makes several grammatical and stylistic changes.  Clarifies the review process (expedites the review process) by the Secretary of Homeland Security for petitions for foreign agricultural workers. 28.  Section 2233. Transition of H-2A Worker Program- Makes several grammatical and stylistic changes and amends legal citations in the language.  Clarifies that a current H-2A worker can stay for the shorter of 10 months or the time specified in the position. 29.  Section 2301. Merit-Based Points Track One- Makes several grammatical and stylistic changes and amends legal citations in the language. Clarifies that foreign equivalents of U.S. degrees count for points system. Clarifies that Job Zone 3 immigrants can earn points in Tier 2.  Amends the English proficiency points in Tier 2 to a standardized examination deemed appropriate by the Department of Education.  Clarifies appropriations language and assesses an additional $1,500 fee on merit-based green cards. Clarifies that Registered Provisional Immigrants are not eligible to receive a merit-based immigrant visa under section 201(e). 30.  Section 2302. Merit-Based Points Track Two-Makes several grammatical and stylistic changes and amends legal citations in the language.  Clarifies that an alien had to be authorized for employment in order to be classified as a long-term alien worker. 31.  Section 2303. Repeal of the Diversity Visa Program- Makes several grammatical and stylistic changes and amends legal citations in the language.  32.  Section 2304. Worldwide Levels and Recapture of Unused Immigrant Visas- Makes several grammatical and stylistic changes and amends legal citations in the language.  33.  Section 2305 Reclassification of Spouses and Minor Children of Lawful Permanent Residents as Immediate Relatives-At the advice of legislative counsel, reprints the entire section of current law in order to more easily and accurately accomplish the goal of reclassifying spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents as immediate relatives.  34.  Section 2307. Allocation of Immigrant Visas - Makes several grammatical and stylistic changes and amends legal citations in the language.  Clarifies that foreign equivalents of U.S. degrees count for green card purposes for doctorate degrees.  Clarifies that aliens who have STEM advanced degrees are exempt from green card caps.  Strikes duplicative language. 35.  Section 2308. V Nonimmigrant Visas-Clarifies age restriction language and harmonizes tax definitions with the rest of the bill. 36.  Section 2309. Fiancé and Fiancé Child Status Protection-Makes several grammatical and stylistic changes and amends legal citations in the language. 37.  Section 2311. Modification of Adoption Age Requirements-Clarifies the age requirement in the legislation. 38.  Section 2312. Relief for Orphans, Widows, and Widowers-Makes several grammatical and stylistic changes and amends legal citations in the language. 39.  Section 2313. Discretionary Authority with Respect to Removal, Deportation, or Inadmissibility of Citizen and Resident Immediate Family Members- Makes several grammatical and stylistic changes and amends legal citations in the language. 40.  Section 2314. Waivers of Inadmissibility-Adds the word child in one section where it was unintentionally excluded in the bill. 41.  Section 2316. Global Health Care Cooperation- Makes a stylistic change. 42.  Section 2317. Extension and Improvement of the Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa Program- Makes a stylistic change and a technical amendment to fix a legal citation. 43.  Section 2402. Retaining Physicians Who Have Practiced in Medically Underserved Communities-Fixed legal citations. 44.  Section 2403. Employment Protection for Physicians-Clarifies that alien physicians must use their J-1 waiver expeditiously after obtaining the waiver. 45.  Section 2405. Amendments to the Procedures, Definitions, and Other Provisions Related to Physician Immigration-Deletes clarifications to the National Interest Waiver. 46.  Section 2511. Office of Citizenship and New Americans-Provides consultation requirements with the Task Force on New Americans and makes stylistic changes and technical amendments to fix legal citations. 47.  Section 2522. Purpose-Technical Change from Secretary to Federal Government. 48.  Section 2523. Membership-Adds the National Security Advisor to the task force. 49.  Section 2531. Establishment of United States Citizenship Foundation-Clarifies non-profit language. 50.  Section 2533. Purposes and Section 2534. Authorized Activies-Edit to add 'lawful' before permanent resident. 51.  Section 2535 Council of Directors-Harmonized language with Section 501(c)(3). 52.  Section 2537. Initial Entry, Adjustment, and Citizenship Assistance Grant Program-Clarified that this applies to agricultural workers. 53.  Section 2551. Waiver of English Requirement for Senior New Americans-Clarified the disability exception to harmonize with current disability law. 54.  Section 3101. Unlawful Employment of Unauthorized Aliens.-Makes several grammatical and stylistic changes and amends legal citations in the language. Deletes the good faith defense of failing to obtain a response from the system.  Amends the language pertaining to remedies for labor law violations to ensure that remedies are available for employer's violations of labor law.  Provides for videoconference verification of remote workers.  Provides for identification to be used from U.S. territories.  Clarifies that an employee who withdraws their appeal no longer has to be employed by an employer.  Requires the Secretary to protect the confidentiality of information that could be used to endanger the worker.  Clarifies that E-verify remains in effect during the entire period of this legislation and never lapses. 55.  Section 3102. Increasing Security and Integrity of Social Security Cards.-Amends the appropriations language. Make stylistic and grammatical clarifications. 56.  Section 3105. Improved Prohibition on Discrimination Based on National Origin or Citizenship Status- Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. Edits a typographical error on number of employees. 57.  Section 3106. Rulemaking - Fixes legal citations. 58.  Section 3201. Protection for Victims of Serious Violations of Labor and Employment Law or Crime-Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. 59.  Section 3202. Employment Verification System Education Funding-Adds the Attorney General to education fund. 60.  Section 3204. Confidentiality for Victims of Crime.-Deletes the Section. 61.  Section 3301.Funding- Clarifies and amends the appropriations language. 62.  Section 3304. Identity-theft resistant manifest information for passengers, crew, and non-crew onboard departing aircraft and vessels-Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. 63.  Section 3305. Profiling- Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. 64.  Section 3401.Time limits and efficient adjudication of genuine asylum claims- Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. 65.  Section 3402.Refugee family protections- Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. 66.  Section 3403.Clarification on designation of certain refugees- Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. 67.  Section 3404.Asylum determination efficiency- Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. 68.  Section 3405. Stateless persons in the United States- Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. 69.  Section 3503. Office of Legal Access Programs- Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications and adds DOJ consultation. 70.  Section 3504.Codifying Board of Immigration Appeals- Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. 71.  Section 3601. Definitions-Amended the definition of foreign labor contracting activity to limit it to recruiting, soliciting and related activities.  Remove the Secretary of Labor from the enforcement of this program. 72.  Section 3602. Disclosure-Amend the disclosure requirements to those limited to the knowledge of the recruiter. 73.  Section 3605. Registration-Removes requirements for registration when an employer is self-recruiting.  Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. 74.  Section 3608. Amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act-Adds the W-visa to the list of visas covered by the recruiting language. 75.  Section 3609. Responsibilities of Secretary of State- Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications.  76.  Section 3610.Enforcement provisions- Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. Provides a safe harbor for employers who use a registered recruiter and do not act with reckless disregard of recruiter's illegal acts. 77.  Section 3701. Criminal Street Gangs-Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. 78.  Section 3702.Banning habitual drunk drivers from the United States-Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications.  Clarifies that convictions had to occur on different dates and at least 1 conviction had to occur after passage of the bill. 79.  Section 3717.Procedures for bond hearings and filing of notices to appear- Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. 80.  Section 3719. Gross Violations of Human Rights-Adds a duress exception. Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. 81.  Section 4101. Market Based H-1B Visa Limits- Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. Adds biological and biomedical sciences to list of included STEM fields. 82.  Section 4104.  STEM Education and Training- Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications.  Amends text to provide more access to STEM fund to women and minorities and to allow for loan-repayment for students and issuance of bonds by schools.  83.  Section 4105. H-1B and L Visa Fees-Adds new fees on H-1B and L-1 employers to assist in funding the cost of this legislation. 84.  Section 4211. Modification of application requirements-Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications.  Clarifies prevailing wage requirements for nonprofit educational institutions and research organizations. 85.  Section 4224. Information Sharing-Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications.  86.  Section 4232. Requirements for information for H-1B and L nonimmigrants- Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications.  87.  Section 4233. Filing Fee for H-1B Dependent Employers-Clarifies that fees do not sunset. Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. Fixes the appropriations' language. 88.  Section 4301. Prohibition on Outplacement of L-Nonimmigrants-Clarifies the definition of outplacement not to include outplacement within a related corporate entity. 89.  Section 4305. Filing Fee for L Nonimmigrants-Clarifies that fees do not sunset. Fixes legal citations. Makes stylistic and grammatical clarifications. Fixes the appropriations' language. 90.  Section 4401.Nonimmigrant visas for students-Fixes legal citations   91.   Section 4402.Classification for specialty occupation workers from free trade countries- Fixes legal citations 92.  Section 4404. Other changes to nonimmigrant visas-Provides procedural due process protections to aliens seeking entry for a motion picture or television production. 93.  Section 4407. J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program Fee-Adds new fees on J-1 employers parallel to fees for similar visas. 94.  Section 4408. F-1 Visa Fee- Adds new fees on F-1 aliens parallel to fees for similar visas. 95.  Section 4503. Encouraging Canadian Tourism to the United States-Clarifies that extensions are permitted and that spouses of principal applicants do not need to be above the age of 55. 96.  Section 4504. Retiree Visa- Adds a $1,000 fee parallel to fees for similar visas. 97.  Section 4509. B-Visa Fee-- Adds new $5 fees on B-visas parallel to fees for similar visas. 98.  Section 4601. Extension of returning worker exemption to H-2B numerical limitation-Amends definition of certain H-2B professions using the H-2B program and the P-Visa program and providing the correct legal citation for the H-2B returning worker exemption. 99.  Section 4701. Bureau of Immigration and Labor Market Research-Stylistic and grammatical edits and fixes to legal citations.  Clarifies the fee language. 100. Section 4702. Nonimmigrant Classification for W-nonimmigrants-clarifies that W-1 status is for non-agricultural employees. 101. Section 4703. Admission of W Nonimmigrant Workers- Stylistic and Grammatical edits and fixes to legal citations.  Requires employers to attest that they will substantially comply with all applicable labor and employment laws related to the W nonimmigrant's employment.  Clarifies that only animal production employers may exceed the cap and that all employers may promote workers to another position without losing a registered slot. 102. Section 4801. Nonimmigrant Invest Visas- Stylistic and grammatical edits and fixes to legal citations.  Adding a $1,000 fee for investor visas parallel to fees for similar visas. 103. Section 4802 Invest Immigrant Visa- Stylistic and grammatical edits and fixes to legal citations. 104. Section 4803. Administration and Oversight- Stylistic and grammatical edits and fixes to legal citations. Adding a report on the success of the program. http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=news&id=237 Wed, 01 May 2013 12:01:00 EST Resources: Summary of Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Of 2013  [en Español] Summary of Managers' Amendment to S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Of 2013 Blog: What They're Saying About the Senate's Bipartisan Immigration Proposal By The Numbers: Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 Timeline: Immigration in 2013 Senate Judiciary Committee List of Amendments to S. 744 Text of Manager's Amendment: Managers' Amendment to S. 744   Bill Text: Border Security, Economic Opportunity, And Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=233 Wed, 01 May 2013 02:30:00 EST Title I.  Border Security This Title provides for border security measures that will achieve and maintain effective control in high risk areas of the Southern border. Border Plan: Stage one requires the DHS Secretary to develop a Comprehensive Border Security Strategy and Southern Border Fencing Strategy within six months before the registration period for Registered Provisional Immigrant status (RPI) begins.  These strategies must be designed to achieve persistent surveillance of the border and a 90% effectiveness rate for apprehensions and returns in high risk border sectors. The bill appropriates $3 billion for this plan which will include technology, personnel and other resources. Triggers: The Secretary's border plan must be operational before any RPIs may apply for adjustment of status. The Secretary must develop and implement a fencing plan ($1.5 billion); E-Verify must be mandatory and operational; and a biographic entry-exit system at air and seaports must be implemented before RPIs may adjust to permanent residence.  Southwest Governors Commission: After five years, if the specified goals of 90% effectiveness and persistent surveillance have not been met, a Southern Border Security Commission will be established to make further recommendations for achieving these goals.  The Commission would recommend up to $2 billion in additional DHS spending that would be available to achieve the border security goals if they have not yet been met. Additional Resources: To further ensure completion of these targets, Customs and Border Patrol personnel and resources will be increased, additional funding for border prosecutions in the Tucson sector are funded, and the authority of the National Guard to assist in border security operations is codified. DHS Oversight: To protect the integrity of the system, additional resources and training will be devoted to implementing a DHS-wide use of force policy and associated training in appropriate use of force and the impact of federal operations on border communities.  A Border Oversight Taskforce is established to take testimony and conduct hearings in order to review and recommend changes to existing border policies.  The current duties of the USCIS Ombudsman's office will be expanded to encompass all DHS immigration functions. DHS will be required to issue regulations on racial profiling that are based on a study analyzing individualized data on DHS officers enforcement activity. Title II.   Legalization (Registered Provisional Immigrant program) and Legal Immigration This title provides a path to citizenship for the 11.5 undocumented immigrants in the United States. It establishes a new framework for future legal immigration by revamping the current family and employment based systems and creating two additional merit-based immigration systems. SubPart A.  Creation of Registered Provisional Immigrant program Registration Requirements: Immigrants who entered the United States before December 31, 2011 and have been physically present in the U.S. since that time will be eligible to apply for Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI) status provided they pass a background check, have not been convicted of a serious crime, pay any assessed tax liability, and pay appropriate fees and a $500 fine. Initial registration will be valid for six years. It provides for work and travel authorization, and includes spouses and children in the United States on the same application.  Renewal: RPIs applying for renewal will be subject to a new background check, payment of processing fees, payment of taxes, and a $500 fine. RPIs must provide evidence of having been 1) regularly employed while meeting a requirement that he/she is not likely to become a public charge or 2) having resources to demonstrate 100% of the poverty level. Adjustment of Status to Permanent Residency: At the end of ten years, RPIs may apply for adjustment of status, provided that they demonstrate: 1) they are admissible, 2) pay an additional $1000 fine per adult plus application fees; 3) prove they are learning English; 4) pay their taxes; 5) pass a background check and 6) demonstrate compliance with the employment requirement. Specifically, they must show: 1) they have regularly worked in the U.S. such that they are not likely to become a public charge or 2) they have resources to meet 125% of the Federal Poverty Level. Under the revamped legal immigration system, individuals present in the U.S. for 10 years in lawful status can adjust status to lawful permanent residence including RPIs and other legal immigrants. RPIs may apply for naturalization after an additional three year wait, making the total path to citizenship about 13 years. The bill includes a 'back of the line' requirement: RPIs may not adjust status until the family and employment backlogs are cleared.  Timeline: DHS has 12 months to issue regulations. Then there is a one year initial application period which can be extended by the Secretary for up to 18 months. DREAM Act: Individuals who entered the U.S. before the age of 16 and who have completed high school or obtained a GED in the U.S. may register for RPI status through the DREAM Act.  There is no age cap for the program. Individuals who received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals are grandfathered into RPI status.  DREAM RPIs are exempted from penalties and the triggers.  Five years after registration, DREAM RPIs may apply for adjustment of status; their time in RPI status will count towards eligibility for naturalization, allowing them to become citizens immediately after receiving their green card. Children under age 16 have a five year path to citizenship and are exempted from certain requirements. The bill heightens child welfare protections to ensure parental rights are not terminated on the basis of a parent's immigration status alone. Agricultural program: Undocumented farm workers who can demonstrate a minimum of 100 work days or 575 hours in the two years prior to the date of enactment would be eligible for an Agricultural Card. Workers who work at least 100 days a year for five years or workers who perform at least 150 days a year for three years can adjust status to permanent residency. To be eligible for permanent residence, agricultural workers must show that they have paid all taxes, have not been convicted of any serious crime, and pay a $400 fine. Integration: Creates an Office of New Americans, a New Americans taskforce and additional initiatives to help immigrants learn English, American civics and integrate into local communities. Provides funding for programs to help non-profits and local government with these initiatives. SubPart B.   Legal Immigration Reforms New Merit-Based System: Creates a 'Track One' merit based visa which will initially allocate 120,000 visas annually based on a points system, with the possibility of increasing the allotment by 5% (up to 250,000) in any year when unemployment is under 8.5%.  Points will be awarded for factors such as education, employment, family in the U.S. and length of residence in the U.S. Half of the merit visas will be set aside for high skilled individuals and half of the cap will be for lower skilled workers. A new 'Track Two' merit-based system is created to clear the employment and family backlogs. In addition, this system allows individuals who are lawfully present in the U.S. for over ten years with work authorization to adjust status to permanent residence. Lawful Permanent Residents' spouses and children: The current family based categories will be revised to permit the spouses and children of lawful permanent residents to immigrate immediately. Additional changes to the current family system: The current sibling category will be eliminated 18 months after enactment. The 3rd preference family category (adult married children of U.S. citizens) will have an age cap of 31 beginning 18 months after enactment. The backlog reduction program will include processing of petitions in phased-out family categories. U.S. citizens can petition for a sibling for up to 18 months after enactment.  New Family 'V' Visa: Creates a new nonimmigrant visa for families with approved petitions to work and live in the U.S. while waiting for their green card. Allows other family members including siblings to visit the U.S. for up to 60 days per year. Employment-Based Reforms: Spouses and children of employment based visa applicants, STEM graduates with doctoral degrees, certain other professionals, and certain foreign doctors are exempt from the employment visa cap. The cap on low-skilled workers is raised. Additional Backlog Reduction and Improvements: Additional provisions to streamline processing and reduce backlogs include elimination of employment based country caps, an increase in family based country limits, and recapture of unused visa numbers. Popular programs for foreign doctors (Conrad-30), religious worker recruitment, and EB-5 investors are permanently reauthorized. Numerous other technical fixes to improve and streamline current visa programs are included (additional protections for stepchildren, widows, and other family members.) Judicial Discretion: Expands the authority of immigration judges and DHS to waive removal on humanitarian grounds.  Title Three. Interior Enforcement. This title mandates E-Verify, provides additional worker protections, reforms the immigration court system and provides additional measures related to interior enforcement. Five year phase-in of mandatory E-Verify: An electronic employment verification system (E-verify) will cover all employers within a five year period, beginning with federal contractors and critical infrastructure employers. It requires identity verification through use of enhanced fraud-proof documents. Specifically prohibits creation of a national ID card. Anti-fraud measures: Expands ability to protect against identity theft of Social Security numbers by allowing employees to block their social security number and gives employees access to personal E-verify history.  It provides for an expansion of the photo identification mechanism as a component of E-verify and encourages states to provide photos to DHS. Due Process: Expands due process protections for employees to ensure that legal workers are not prevented from working due to errors in the system or because of employer negligence or misconduct. Provides for back-pay if an employee loses work unfairly due to system or employer error. Provides a stay of termination of employment to give the worker time to correct any errors in the system. Worker Protections: Includes protections for employers and employees, including pre-emption of state verification laws, expansion of U visas in employer abuse situations, and program funding. The bill also cracks down on labor recruitment abuse. Refugee/Asylum Issues: Streamlines processing in refugee and asylum cases by eliminating one year asylum filing deadline, eliminating family reunification barriers for asylees and refugees, authorizing streamlined processing of certain high risk refugee groups, authorizing asylum officers to grant asylum for eligible applicants during credible fear interviews, and permits qualified stateless individuals to apply for lawful permanent resident status. Immigration Court Improvements: Authorizes increase in immigration court personnel, additional resources, and more training for judges and other staff; access to counsel for vulnerable populations to improve efficiency of courts, and permanently codifies Board of Immigration Appeals and legal orientation programs. Interior Enforcement: Tightens certain grounds of inadmissibility relating to document and passport fraud, driving while intoxicated following three convictions, conviction for gang related activities, convictions related to domestic violence, child abuse, stalking, violation of protection orders and failing to register as a sex offender.  Prohibits and or increases penalties for abusive smuggling, illegal entry, and re-entry. Creates a mandatory exit verification system. Detention Reform: Increases oversight of detention facilities, expands the ability of immigration judges to conduct bond hearings, and expands alternatives to detention. Title IV. Reforms to Non Immigrant Visa Programs. This Title reforms current non-immigrant visa programs and creates a new worker visa that melds greater employer flexibility with worker protections and ability to apply for permanent residence.  H-1B: Changes to the H-1B high skilled visa program include expanding the current cap from 65,000 to 110,000 with an option to ultimately increase the cap to 180,000 visas annually based on a High Skilled Jobs Demand Index. Allows for work authorization for spouses and children.  Increases requirements for recruiting and offering jobs to U.S. workers at higher wages prior to hiring foreign workers. Increases fines and wage requirements for companies that are heavy-users of H-1B visas. After 3 years, companies whose workforce is more than fifty percent H-1Bs are barred. Deterring Abuse: Establishes significant new authorities and penalties to prevent, detect, and deter fraud and abuse of the H-1B and L-1 visa systems by fraudulent employers.  Increases wages for foreign workers to help protect Americans. H-2B: Makes permanent the H-2B returning worker provision.  New Worker Program (W Visa): Establishes a new nonimmigrant W classification for lesser-skilled foreign workers performing services or labor for a registered employer in a registered position. Spouses and minor children are included and are work-authorized. It is a three year visa with three year renewal periods. Initially, 20,000 W visas will be made available, rising to 75,000 visas in four years. The visa program cap can rise to 200,000 depending on a formula based on unemployment, job openings, number of applications and the recommendations of a newly established Bureau of Immigration and Labor Market Research. Shortage occupation employers can hire workers outside the cap. W visa holders may switch from one registered employer to another without penalty and apply for the merits-based lawful permanent residence program or the Employment-Based system. Agriculture: A new agricultural guest worker visa program would be established to provide a more stable agricultural workforce. A portable, at-will employment based visa (W-3 visa) and a contract-based visa (W-2 visa) administered by the Department of Agriculture would replace the current H-2A program. It will provide growers with a streamlined process to petition for worker while ensuring critical worker protections. The H-2A program would sunset after the new guest worker visa program is operational. INVEST Visa: This bill creates a new INVEST visa for foreign entrepreneurs who seek to come to the U.S. to start their own companies. This 3-year visa would be available to immigrant entrepreneurs who have a qualifying investor in the US and can be renewed if it can demonstrate certain benchmarks related to the number of jobs it creates and revenue it produces. http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=news&id=235 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:07:00 EST Click here to read the Senate's bipartisan proposal to fix our nation's broken immigration system. Washington Post: An Immigration Bill Worthy of Support 'The legislation is a milestone of pragmatism that, through tough trade-offs, would bring common sense to a broken immigration system that has come to symbolize dysfunction in Washington.' 'The bill's authors seemed determined to fix so many problems and satisfy so many constituencies that it would be propelled from the outset by groups representing business, labor, agriculture, high tech, Hispanics and immigrants.' '...immigration advocates have plenty to cheer in the legislation, including steps to extend hundreds of thousands of visas annually to low-skilled and agricultural workers; to nearly double the number of visas offered to foreign engineers and scientists, whose services are prized by high-tech firms; and to clear the backlog of several million relatives of U.S. citizens who have been waiting years to immigrate.'  USA Today: 'Gang of Eight' Plan Strikes a Balance '...Enforcement is the linchpin to the latest effort, announced Tuesday by a bipartisan group of eight senators.' '...Enforcement is the key. Politically, it is needed to get a law passed. Practically, it is needed to ensure that today's 11 million aren't followed by another 11 million.' 'This kind of multipronged assault on illegal immigration is necessary to prevent the tide from picking up again once the economy improves. The Gang of Eight plan will undoubtedly undergo changes as it wends through the legislative process. But it's a good starting point for addressing one of the nation's most vexing problems.' New York Times: An Immigration Blueprint '...Our quick read of a fresh bill finds other encouraging things besides the opening of the pathway. It includes a good version of the Dream Act, to help young people who were brought here illegally as children speedily become citizens.' 'There will be much to chew on in coming weeks, but it is worth a moment to marvel at the bill's mere existence, and at the delicate balancing of competing interests that coaxed this broad set of compromises into being.' WSJ: The Immigration Windfall 'Faster economic growth would in turn drive down the budget deficit over the next 10 years by at least $2.5 trillion. Think of it this way: A more generous and more skill-based immigration system would lower the budget deficit three times more than President Obama's fiscal-cliff tax increase enacted in January.' 'But on balance U.S. businesses and the overall economy would benefit from a growing supply of younger immigrants who would have decades of more productive, creative work to contribute to American prosperity.' New York Post: The More the Merrier '...The bill represents a fair effort to address the one thing everyone agrees on: The status quo is harmful and self-defeating for the nation.' 'That would be the real victory: an immigration system that controls its borders while recognizing that those who come to America to work are assets, not liabilities.' http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=234 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:53:00 EST Título I. Seguridad Fronteriza Este título establece medidas de seguridad fronteriza que obtendrán y mantendrán control en zonas de alto riesgo en la Frontera Sur. ·         Plan Fronterizo: La primera etapa requiere que la Secretaria del Departamento de Seguridad Interna (DHS por sus siglas en inglés) desarrolle una Estrategia Integral de Seguridad Fronteriza y una Estrategia para el Mejoramiento de La Maya Fronteriza de la Frontera Sur durante los primeros seis meses y antes del comienzo del periodo de registro para el estatus de Inmigrante Provisional Registrado (RPI por sus siglas en inglés). Estas estrategias deben ser diseñadas para lograr un patrullaje persistente de la frontera y 90% de efectividad de aprensiones y deportaciones en zonas fronterizas de alto riesgo. El proyecto de ley apropiaría 3 mil millones de dólares para el desarrollo de este plan e incluirá dinero destinado para tecnología, agentes, y otros recursos. ·         Condiciones: El plan fronterizo de la Secretaria debe estar completamente en función  antes que cualquier RPI pueda aplicar para recibir un ajuste de estatus. La Secretaria debe desarrollar e implementar una Estrategia para el Mejoramiento de La Maya Fronteriza de la Frontera Sur (1.5 mil millones de dólares); E-Verify debe ser obligatorio y operacional; y un sistema de entrada-y-salida biográfico en aeropuertos y puertos marítimos debe ser implementado antes que los RPI puedan ajustar su estatus a residente permanente. ·         Comisión de Gobernadores del Suroeste: Si las metas especificadas de un 90% de efectividad de aprensiones y de patrullaje persistente de la frontera no se cumplen en los primeros cinco años, se establecerá una Comisión de Seguridad para la Frontera Sur la cual dará recomendaciones para el logro de estas metas. La comisión podría recomendar hasta 2 mil millones de dólares adicionales para llevar acabo las metas de seguridad si no se han cumplido. ·         Recursos Adicionales: Para asegurar el cumplimiento de estos objetivos, los recursos destinados a los agentes de Aduanas y la Patrulla Fronteriza serán incrementados, se proporcionaran fondos adicionales para procesos fronterizos en la zona de Tucson, y se codificara la autoridad de la Guardia Nacional para asistir en las operaciones de seguridad en la frontera. ·         Supervisión del DHS: Para proteger la integridad del sistema, recursos adicionales y entrenamiento serán destinados para la implementación de un programa que entrene a los agentes de DHS en el uso de fuerza apropiado y el impacto que tienen las operaciones federales en las comunidades fronterizas. Se establecerá un Grupo de Supervisión Fronterizo que organizará audiencias para  revisar y proponer cambios a operaciones fronterizas. Las funciones actuales del Ombudsman de la Oficina del Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estado Unidos (USCIS por sus siglas en inglés) serán expandidas para abarcar todas las funciones de inmigración del DHS. DHS deberá dictar reglamentos contra la discriminación racial  basados en análisis individuales de los arrestos hechos por agentes del DHS. Título II.  Legalización (Programa de Inmigrante Provisional Registrado) e Inmigración Legal Este título provee un camino a la ciudadanía para los 11.5 millones de inmigrantes indocumentados en los Estados Unidos. Establece una nueva base para la futura inmigración legal reformando los sistemas basados en familia y empleo,  y crea dos nuevos programas basados en méritos personales. Subtítulo A. Creación del Programa de  Inmigrante Provisional Registrado ·         Requisitos para Registrarse: Los inmigrantes quienes entraron a los Estados Unidos antes del 31 de diciembre del 2011 y han permanecido físicamente en el país desde esa fecha calificaran para aplicar por el estatus de  Inmigrante Provisional Registrado (RPI por sus siglas en inglés) siempre y cuando no tengan antecedentes penales, no hayan cometido crímenes, paguen impuestos que debe, las cuotas necesarias, y una multa de $500 dólares. ·         El Registro Inicial será válido por seis años. Dara permiso de  trabajo y autorización para viajar al exterior. Incluye a los cónyuges e hijos que viven en Estados Unidos en la misma aplicación. ·         Renovación: Los individuos con estatus de RPI tendrán que demostrar que no tienen antecedentes penales, pagar las cuotas necesarias, impuestos y una multa de $500 dólares. Deberán  comprobar 1) que están empleados regularmente y que no serán una carga publica, o 2) que tienen recursos económicos mayores al 100 % del nivel de pobreza. ·         Ajuste de Estatus a Residencia Permanente: Al término del periodo de 10 años, los RPI podrán aplicar para un ajuste de estatus, siempre y cuando puedan demostrar que: 1) son admisibles, 2) paguen un multa adicional de $1000 por adulto más una cuota de aplicación; 3) demuestren que están aprendiendo a hablar Inglés; 4) paguen impuestos; 5) no tengan antecedentes penales y 6) demuestren que tienen empleo. Específicamente, deben comprobar: 1) que han estado empleados regularmente y que no serán una carga pública o 2) que tienen recursos económicos mayores al 125% del  nivel de pobreza. Bajo el sistema de inmigración reformado, individuos que han vivido en los Estados Unidos bajo un estatus legal podrán ajustar su estatus a residente permanente. Esto incluye a RPI y a otros inmigrantes legales. Los RPI podrán aplicar para la naturalización después de 3 años adicionales, haciendo el camino a la ciudadanía de un total de aproximadamente 13 años. Este proyecto de ley requiere que los RPI  se formen 'al final de la fila': Los RPI no pueden ajustar su estatus hasta que se procesen todas las peticiones familiares y de empleo actualmente siendo procesadas y que están en atrasadas.  ·         Cronología: El Departamento de Seguridad Interna  tendrá 12 meses para promulgar reglamentos. Después de estos 12 meses habrá un periodo de aplicación de un año el cual puede ser extendido hasta 18 meses adicionales por la Secretaria.  ·         DREAM Act: Individuos quienes entraron a los Estados Unidos antes de los 16 años y que han terminado la preparatoria u obtenido el GED en los Estados Unidos podrán registrarse para recibir estatus de RPI mediante el DREAM ACT. No hay edad límite para este programa. Individuos quienes recibieron Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA por sus siglas en inglés) recibirán estatus RPI automáticamente. Los DREAMers con estatus RPI estarán excluidos de multas y de las condiciones de seguridad fronteriza. Cinco años después de su registro inicial, los DREAMers con estatus RPI podrán aplicar por un ajuste de estatus; su tiempo bajo el estatus RPI contará para el requisito de naturalización. Esto les permitirá convertirse en  ciudadanos inmediatamente después de recibir la residencia permanente. Los menores de 16 años tendrán un camino a la ciudadanía de 5 años y estarán excluidos de ciertos requisitos. El proyecto de ley fortalecerá las protecciones de bienestar infantil y asegurará que los padres no sean removidos basados solo en su estatus migratorio.  ·         Programa Agrícola: Trabajadores agrícolas que puedan demostrar que hayan trabajado un mínimo de 100 días laborales o 575 horas en los dos años antes de la adopción de este proyecto de ley, calificarán para recibir un permiso de trabajo agrícola. Los trabajadores agrícolas que trabajen un mínimo de 100  días al año por cinco años, o trabajadores que  trabajen un mínimo de 150 días al año por tres años, podrán ajustar su estatus a residente permanente. Para calificar y poder recibir la residencia permanente, los trabajadores agrícolas deberán comprobar que han pagado impuestos, que no tienen antecedentes penales, y deberán pagar una multa de $400 dólares. ·         Integración: Se creará la Oficina de Nuevos Estadounidenses, un grupo de ayuda para nuevos ciudadanos, e iniciativas adicionales para ayudar a inmigrantes a aprender Inglés, civismo, y a integrarse a sus comunidades locales. Proveerá financiamiento para ayudar a organizaciones sin fines de lucro y gobiernos locales a lanzar programas que ayuden a promover estas iniciativas. Subtítulo B.  Reformas a la Inmigración Legal ·         Nuevo Sistema Basado en Méritos Personales: La 'primera vía' crea  una visa basada en méritos personales y alocará 120,000 visas anuales basadas en un sistema de puntaje con la posibilidad de aumentar por un 5% (hasta 250,000) en cualquier año que el desempleo este abajo del 8.5%. Los puntos serán otorgados de acuerdo al nivel de educación, tipo de empleo, si tiene familia en los Estados Unidos, y el tiempo de residencia en los Estado Unidos. La mitad de las visas basadas en méritos personales serán reservadas para individuos con alta capacitación, y la otra mitad para trabajadores con baja capacitación laboral. ·         Una Nueva 'Segunda Vía' Basada en Méritos Personales es creada para procesar todas las peticiones familiares y de empleo que estén atrasadas. Además, este sistema permite que individuos quienes han vivido legalmente en el país por más de 10 años con un permiso de trabajo puedan ajustar su estatus a residente permanente. ·         Cónyuges e hijos de Residentes Permanentes: Las categorías familiares actuales serán modificadas para permitir a cónyuges e hijos de residentes permanentes inmigrar al país inmediatamente. ·         Cambios Adicionales al Sistema Familiar Actual: La categoría de hermanos será eliminada 18 meses después de la adopción de esta ley. La tercer categoría de preferencia familiar (hijos adultos casados de ciudadanos Estadounidenses) tendrá  límite de 31 años de edad 18 meses después de la adopción de esta ley. El programa de reducción de atrasos incluirá el proceso de peticiones hechas en las categorías que serán eliminadas. Ciudadanos Estadounidenses podrán reclamar a hermanos hasta 18 meses después de la adopción de esta ley.  ·         Nueva Visa Familiar 'V': Crea una nueva visa no-migrante para familiares cuyas peticiones para recibir la residencia permanente hayan sido aprobadas. Estos individuos podrán vivir y trabajar en los Estado Unidos mientras que esperan recibir su tarjeta de residencia. También autoriza la visita de familiares, incluyendo hermanos, a los Estados Unidos por hasta 60 días al año.  ·         Reformas Basadas en Empleo: Cónyuges e hijos de solicitantes de visas basadas en empleo, graduados en ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería, y matemática (STEM por sus siglas en inglés), ciertos profesionistas, y algunos médicos estarán excluidos del límite del número de visas. El límite del número de visas para trabajadores de baja calificación laboral será elevado. ·         Reducción de Atrasos Adicionales y Mejoras: Provisiones adicionales para el proceso rápido y la reducción de atrasos incluirá la eliminación de límites a peticiones basadas en empleo y país, un incremento de  límites de países basado en familia, y la recaptura de números de visas no usadas. Los programas populares para doctores extranjeros (Conrad-30), reclutamiento de trabajadores religiosos, y el EB-5 para inversionistas quedan permanentemente reautorizados. Otras mejoras técnicas para  la modernización de los programas de visas están incluidos (protecciones adicionales para hijastros, viudas y otros familiares.) ·         Discreción Judicial: Expande la autoridad de los jueces de inmigración y DHS para conceder excepciones de deportación por razones humanitarias. Título III.  Aplicación de la Ley Interna. Este título ordena el uso obligatorio del E-Verify,  crea protecciones adicionales para trabajadores, reforma el sistema legal migratorio y establece medidas adicionales para asegurar el cumplimiento de la nueva ley en el interior de país. ·         Fase E-Verify De Cinco Años: El sistema electrónico de verificación de empleo (E-Verify) cubrirá a todos los trabajadores Estadounidenses, comenzando con contratistas federales y empleadores de infraestructura crítica, en un periodo de 5 años. Requiere verificación de identidad por medio de documentos a prueba de fraude.  Y especialmente prohíbe la creación de una tarjeta de identificación nacional. ·         Medidas Anti-fraude: Expande las protecciones contra el fraude de número de Seguro Social. Permite a empleados bloquear su número de Seguro Social, y da a los empleadores acceso al historial de E-Verify personal de sus trabajadores. Provee una expansión del mecanismo de identificación de fotos de E-Verify y alienta a los estados que proporcione fotos al DHS. ·         Proceso Legal: Expande protecciones de proceso legal para prevenir que trabajadores legales sean negados acceso a trabajos por negligencia de los empleadores o errores en el sistema. Provee pagos retroactivos para trabajadores que hayan perdido su trabajo por errores en el sistema o de empleadores. Provee a trabajadores un periodo de estancia después de perder su empleo para que el trabajador corrija cualquier error en el sistema. ·         Protecciones Laborales: Incluye protecciones para empleados y empleadores, incluyendo leyes de verificación estatales,  la expansión de visas U en situaciones de abuso laboral, y financiamiento de programas laborales. También toma medidas en contra del abuso de contratación laboral. ·         Temas Sobre Refugiados/ Asilos: Agiliza el proceso en casos de refugio y asilo, y elimina la fecha límite de aplicación de un año. Elimina las barreras de reunificación familiar para refugiados, autoriza el proceso rápido de ciertos grupos de refugiados de alto riesgo, autoriza que agentes extiendan asilo a solicitantes durante entrevistas de asilo, y permite que individuos despatriados apliquen para recibir la residencia permanente. ·         Mejoras a Tribunales de Inmigración: Autoriza el incremento del número de personal en los tribunales de inmigración, recursos adicionales, y entrenamiento adicional para jueces y otro personal migratorio; el acceso a consejo legal para poblaciones vulnerables para el mejoramiento y la eficiencia de los tribunales, y codifica permanentemente el Consejo de Apelaciones Migratorias, y programas de orientación legal. ·         Legislación Interna: Endurece ciertas normas de inadmisibilidad relacionadas con fraude de pasaportes y documentos legales, si el individuo haya sido encontrado culpable de manejar bajo la influencia del alcohol más de 3 veces, culpable de estar involucrado con pandillas, culpable de violencia doméstica, abuso infantil, acecho, la violación de órdenes de protección, y por no registrarse como agresor sexual. Prohíbe y/o incrementa las sanciones contra el contrabando, entradas ilegales al país, y re-ingreso. Crea un sistema de verificación de salida del país obligatorio.  ·         Reforma de Detención: Incrementa la supervisión de centros de detención, otorga la capacidad a jueces de inmigración para dirigir audiencias de fianza, y expande alternativas a la detención. Título IV. Reformas a los Programas No-Migrantes. Este título reforma los programas de visas no-migrantes y crea una nueva visa que une la flexibilidad de trabajo y protecciones laborales con la oportunidad de aplicar para la residencia permanente. ·         H-1B: Cambios al programa de visas H-1B para trabajadores de alta capacitación incluirá el incremento del número de visas de 65,000 a 110,000 con la opción de incrementar a hasta 180,000 visas anuales basados en el Índice de Demanda de Empleos de Alta Capacitación.  Permite la autorización de trabajo para cónyuges e hijos. Incrementa los requerimientos de contratación y oferta de empleos a trabajadores Estadounidenses antes de poder contratar trabajadores extranjeros. Incrementa multas y requerimientos de salarios para compañías que usan visas H-1B excesivamente. Después de 3 años, si hay compañías que emplean a más del 50% de su fuerza laboral por medio de visas H1-B quedarán descalificadas del programa. ·         Prevención de Abuso: Establece nuevas medidas y multas para prevenir, detectar, y disuadir fraude y abuso de los sistemas de visas H-1B y L-1 por empleadores fraudulentos. ·         H-2B: Hace al programa de visas H-2B permanente. ·         Programa de Trabajadores Nuevo (W Visa): Establece una nueva clasificación no-inmigrante para trabajadores de baja capacitación realizando servicios o labores para un empleador registrado. Los cónyuges e hijos están incluidos y están autorizados para trabajar. Esta visa dura 3 años y tiene un periodo de renovación de 3 años. Inicialmente, se otorgará 20,000 W visas y se incrementará ese número a 75,000 en cuatro años. Este programa podrá incrementar el número de visas otorgadas hasta 200,000 dependiendo en una fórmula que incluye el nivel de desempleo, oportunidades laborales, número de aplicaciones, y las recomendaciones del nuevo Buro de Inmigración y de Investigación del Mercado Laboral. Empleadores que tengan escaseces en su área laboral podrán contratar trabajadores inmigrantes aunque las visas se agoten. Visados podrán cambiar de empleador sin tener que pagar multa alguna y podrán aplicar para el programa de residencia permanente basado en méritos personales o de empleo. ·         Agricultura: Establece una nuevo programa de visas para trabajadores agrícolas para proveer una base laboral agrícola más estable. Crearía una visa de trabajo portable sin empleador específico (W-3 visa) y una visa de trabajo con empleador específico (W-2). Éstas visas serán administradas por el Departamento de Agricultura y remplazarán el programa actual del H-2 A. Provee un proceso rápido para la petición de trabajadores agrícolas y al mismo tiempo establece protecciones laborales. El programa H-2 A será desmantelado una vez que el nuevo programa de visas para trabajadores agrícolas este completamente en función. ·         Visa para Empresarios: Este proyecto crea una nueva visa para empresarios extranjeros quienes deseen inmigrar a los Estados Unidos para fundar sus compañías. Ésta visa tiene una duración de 3 años y está disponible para empresarios que puedan demostrar apoyo de un inversionista en los Estados Unidos, y tiene parámetros que reflejen el número de empleos e ingresos que puedan generar. http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=news&id=236 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:15:00 EST ACROSS THE BOARD, FACT CHECKERS SLAM GOP CLAIMS OF FEDERAL GUN REGISTRY Fact Check.Org: Gun Rights Group's Aim Is Way Off Washington Post Fact Checker: Four Pinnochios Time Magazine: Fact Check: The Gun Registry Red Herring National Journal: 'Wrong' NATIONAL GUN REGISTRY PROHIBITED BY MANCHIN-TOOMEY AND FEDERAL LAW Huffington Post: 'The background check compromise set to be introduced on Thursday will explicitly bar public officials from creating a national gun registry, penalizing those who do with a charge carrying a prison sentence of up to 15 years.' [Huffington Post, 4/11/13] 'No such rule or regulation prescribed after the date of the enactment of the Firearms Owners' Protection Act may require that records required to be maintained under this chapter or any portion of the contents of such records, be recorded at or transferred to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or any political subdivision thereof, nor that any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions or dispositions be established.' [18 USC Title 18 Part I Chapter 44, Sec 926] FBI Fact Sheet: 'The NICS is not to be used to establish a federal firearm registry; information about an inquiry resulting in an allowed transfer is destroyed in accordance with NICS regulations.' [FBI Fact Sheet] INDEPENDENT FIGURES: FEARS OF NATIONAL REGISTRY 'JUST PARANOID' National Review Deputy Managing Editor Kevin Williamson: 'There's a law saying we can't have a national firearm's registry, but there's a law that says that.' [MSNBC, 4/10/13] Third Way: Federal gun registry is 'not possible-practically, legally, or politically.' [Third Way, 2/13] Associated Press: 'The NRA is the best-known of the gun-rights groups, but others make waves, too. The National Association for Gun Rights has aired ads claiming that prominent Republicans including House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va. helped Obama create a national gun registry, an assertion that independent groups call false.' [AP, 4/11/13] Time Magazine: 'To be clear, there is no national gun registry. The federal government keeps no records from background checks that could be used to create a gun registry. In fact, federal law prohibits the creation of a national gun registry, and the bipartisan agreement to expand background checks specifically states that it is a crime to create a gun registry.' [Time, 4/11/13] Bloomberg: 'Federal law prohibits the creation of a national gun registry.' [Bloomberg, 3/21/13] Gun Store Owner/NRA Member Joe Deaser: 'I haven't talked to anybody who isn't behind this,' he said, calling the argument that it would lead to a national gun registry 'just paranoid.' [Bloomberg, 3/21/13] ABC Nightline Anchor Terry Moran: ROVE: Then stop scaring people. Don't say we're going to keep a registry of all of these guns, and...ROVE: ...and let's not make it so unhappy...(CROSSTALK)MORAN: Stop scaring people? You're scaring people with this Orwellian sense that black helicopters and the government, if we register guns, they're going to confiscate Americans guns. [ABC This Week, 3/24/13] Former RNC Chairman Michael Steele: 'I don't get the fear of registration,' Steele said on MSNBC. 'I don't get the, the concern about trafficking. Are we saying that we want criminals to, you know, make ... back-alley sales out of the trunks of their cars?' [TPM, 4/9/13] http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=232 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST Republican Senators Refuse to Talk About Their Filibuster of Gun Legislation McCain: 'What Are We Afraid Of?' Scarborough: 'Is Anybody Awake In My Party On The Hill?' REPUBLICANS REFUSE TO TALK ABOUT THEIR FILIBUSTER ON GUNS CBS Reporter Nancy Cordes: 'We asked all fourteen Republican Senators for an interview about their filibuster threat but none of them were available.' [CBS, 4/9/13] KEY REPUBLICAN SENATORS: GUN LEGISLATION DESERVES A VOTE Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV): 'I want to have that discussion. Now is the time.' [Las Vegas Review Journal, 4/9/13] Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK): 'Sure, I'll vote [to begin debate].' [TPM, 4/9/13] Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA): Spokeswoman: 'He does not support the underlying committee bill, but he thinks a full debate on the issue will be healthy.' [Atlanta Journal Constitution, 4/9/13] Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO):  New York Times Reporter John Weisman: 'Blunt on gun filibuster: We're better off to debate these bills and u always have to 60 vote standard as to whether to go to the final vote.' [NY Times, 4/9/13] Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) 'There's no -- there's was no ambivalence on the gun issue. I think, everybody knows what the issues are. We have not seen the final draft of the legislation that was produced, I understand, last night. But, I think, it deserves a vote up or down.' [CBS, 4/9/13] Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME): CNN Reporter Deirdre Walsh: Sen Susan Collins said she does not support filibuster on bringing up gun bill, said if they get votes on amendments, will vote to proceed. [CNN, 4/9/13] Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA): Allentown Morning Call: 'Featured was former Gov. Ed Rendell who told the crowd that he'd spoken to Toomey and that the senator would not be supporting a filibuster.' [Morning Call, 4/9/13] Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ): CNN Reporter Deirdre Walsh: Sen Flake said as long as gets votes on amend he'll vote for motion to proceed on guns. [CNN, 4/9/13] Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH): 'Andrea, I don't support a filibuster for this. I believe that there should be provided that there are amendments, and that we can have a full and robust debate and I think that's the way to go forward on an important issue.' [MSNBC, 4/9/13] Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) SCHIEFFER: So you'd encourage Republicans not to filibuster. MCCAIN: I would not only encourage it. I don't understand it. What are we afraid of? Why would we not want, if this issue is as important as all of us think it is, why not take it on the world's greatest deliberative--that's the greatest exaggeration in history, by the way--but, you know, why not take it up an amendment and debate. The American people will profit from it. I do not understand why United States senators want to block debate when the leader has said that we can have amendments. [Face the Nation, 4/7/13] Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) CROWLEY: Senator Inhofe and Senator Rubio have now joined in that filibuster threat. What do you make of it? Would you join it? GRAHAM: Well, I'd like to have an open process. The only way I would filibuster a bill is if Senator Reid did not allow alternative amendments. [CNN State of the Union, 3/31/13] Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) [Washington Post, 4/9/13] REPUBLICAN OPINION MAKERS: 'WE ARE IN DEEP TROUBLE' IF WE FILIBUSTER GUNS LEGISLATION... 'IS ANYBODY AWAKE IN MY PARTY ON THE HILL?' Rep. Peter King (R-NY)   'I would say its wrong. I would say we should have universal background checks but even if I did not support that legislation I would say let that come to debate. [CNN, 4/9/13] Joe Scarborough 'The Republicans are going to filibuster a 92% issue. Here in our latest poll it was 87%. Basically a 90-10 in something that involves the massacre of 20 first grade children. Is anybody awake in my party on the hill?' [MSNBC, 4/9/13] Former NRCC Chairman Tom Davis (R-VA) 'If [the gun] issue is killed in filibuster then we are in deep trouble.' [Washington Post, 4/8/13]   http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=230 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST View larger image here. http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=231 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:46:00 EST 91% OF AMERICA'S VOTERS: Qunnipiac Poll: 91% of Voters Support Background Checks.  91 % of voters support universal gun background checks, including 88% of voters in households with guns.   74% OF NRA MEMBERS:   Johns Hopkins: 74% of NRA Members Support Expanding Background Checks. 84% of gun-owners and 74% of NRA members support requiring a universal background-check system for all gun sales.   HUNTERS & GUN STORE OWNERS:  Bull Moose Sportsmen's Alliance Gaspar Perricone: 'We believe background checks fall within an ethic of responsible gun ownership sportsmen have been living and teaching for generations.'  Capital Gun Club Owner Joe Deaser: 'In order to do just that, my fellow gun owners must come together to support perhaps the most logical and pragmatic gun safety measure currently under consideration in Washington: expanding the existing background check system to require criminal background checks for each and every gun sale.'   LEADING SENATE REPUBLICANS:   Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK):  'I'm for enhanced background checks because it's a way for you to go online to make sure you're not selling your gun to someone you wouldn't want to have it.'   Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV): Mr. Heller said that the group 'is a group that I respect,' adding that he believed Congress 'should expand background checks,' but had declined to support a bill with Mr. Schumer.   Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA): 'And, so I'm in favor of making changes to a background system if I believe that it would help to reduce the likelihood that a person who shouldn't have access to a gun doesn't get access to a gun.' Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ): 'I think there likely will be with regards to background checks. All of us, Republicans and Democrats, have recognized that we need more effective and broader background checks than we've had in the past.' Sen. John McCain (R-AZ): QUESTION: Are you prepared at least to support universal background checks, if that's all that comes outta this, would you be support-- prepared to support that? MCCAIN: There's-- some Senators, bipartisan again-- Senator Coburn and Senator Manchin and some others who are working on a package that I think that most of us will be able to support. I applaud their efforts and obviously we want to do everything we can to prevent guns from falling into the hands of people who are mentally unbalanced or criminals. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA): 'I believe that more effective and sensible solutions are those that focus on background checks and mental health care, rather than restrictions on our Second Amendment right to bear arms.'   Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO): QUESTION: What's wrong with the idea of a screen to find out whether or not someone trying to buy a gun under any circumstances has a criminal record, has a mental health problem? BLUNT: I think we ought to talk about that.   Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME): 'Nevertheless, we should examine, among other issues, whether states are reporting data on mentally ill individuals found to be a danger to themselves or others to the national background check database designed to prevent gun purchases by such individuals.  During my tenure in the Senate, I have voted for instant background checks, which are designed to prevent individuals with criminal records or serious mental illness from purchasing guns.' NRA PRESIDENT WAYNE LaPIERRE IN 1999: NRA President Wayne LaPierre: 'We think it 's reasonable to provide mandatory instant criminal background checks for every sale at every gun show. No loopholes anywhere for anyone.' LEADING HOUSE REPUBLICANS:   Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV): 'I think the idea of background checks across the board, I'm not opposed to them,' Heck said. 'I disagree with people who say that this is going to be the first step to gun registration, which leads to gun confiscation.'   Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA): 'It is imperative that we close the loopholes and fix the nation's background-check system.'   Rep. Pat Meehan (R-PA): 'I agree with the president that we can and should strengthen the nation's background-check system.'   Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA): Gingrey, who took the time to praise Adventure Outdoors owner Jay Wallace as the gold standard for running a responsible gun retail business, said he is also open to revisions of the so-called gun show loophole. 'What it is basically, if you go to a gun show and there's somebody out there in the parking lot, and they're getting out of their car, and they've got an A-15 on their shoulder or .... John Q. Public wants to sell a handgun or whatever, then there's no background check,' Gingrey said. 'You know, you're buying a used weapon from somebody and then basically no background check.'   http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=228 Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=227 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:50:00 EST Senate Democrats have introduced a budget that cuts wasteful spending, invests in what the economy needs to grow, and protects programs critical to women across the country. Meanwhile, Republicans have again introduced a budget that would take an enormous toll on the nation's women, cutting the services they rely on for their health and the health of their children. Click below to see how the Republican budget would be harmful to women in your state: Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut D.C. Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=226 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:56:00 EST