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<!DOCTYPE bill PUBLIC "-//US Congress//DTDs/bill.dtd//EN" "bill.dtd"> |
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<bill bill-stage="Introduced-in-Senate" dms-id="A1" public-private="public"> |
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<metadata xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"> |
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<dublinCore> |
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<dc:title>115 S1034 IS: Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017</dc:title> |
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<dc:publisher>U.S. Senate</dc:publisher> |
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<dc:date>2017-05-03</dc:date> |
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<dc:format>text/xml</dc:format> |
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<dc:language>EN</dc:language> |
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<dc:rights>Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.</dc:rights> |
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</dublinCore> |
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</metadata> |
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<form> |
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<distribution-code display="yes">II</distribution-code> |
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<congress>115th CONGRESS</congress><session>1st Session</session> |
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<legis-num>S. 1034</legis-num> |
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<current-chamber>IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES</current-chamber> |
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<action> |
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<action-date date="20170503">May 3, 2017</action-date> |
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<action-desc><sponsor name-id="S221">Mrs. Feinstein</sponsor> (for herself, <cosponsor name-id="S057">Mr. Leahy</cosponsor>, <cosponsor name-id="S330">Mr. Bennet</cosponsor>, <cosponsor name-id="S361">Ms. Hirono</cosponsor>, and <cosponsor name-id="S387">Ms. Harris</cosponsor>) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the <committee-name committee-id="SSJU00">Committee on the Judiciary</committee-name></action-desc> |
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</action> |
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<legis-type>A BILL</legis-type> |
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<official-title>To improve agricultural job opportunities, benefits, and security for aliens in the United States, |
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and for other purposes.</official-title> |
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</form> |
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<legis-body> |
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<section id="S1" section-type="section-one"><enum>1.</enum><header>Short title; table of contents</header> |
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<subsection id="idB592E3B50C294CB485E77BE52B4854AB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">This Act may be cited as the <quote><short-title>Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017</short-title></quote>.</text> |
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</subsection><subsection id="id6DA8D692D8A0460CB4435E267D691E4A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Table of contents</header><text>The table of contents for this Act is as follows:</text><toc><toc-entry idref="S1" level="section">Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.</toc-entry> <toc-entry idref="idfd4bb0d7-2cd4-4bed-bba5-8fbeff8a55bb" level="title">TITLE I—Program for Earned Status Adjustment of Agricultural Workers</toc-entry> <toc-entry idref="idb45d0898-344f-4cf3-86f9-4647d9525892" level="section">Sec. 101. Blue card status.</toc-entry> <toc-entry idref="id1168CD3DDFD149A5912F96068858F8F0" level="section">Sec. 102. Adjustment to permanent resident status.</toc-entry> <toc-entry idref="id69ffa744-20f5-44eb-8739-b60787553c44" level="section">Sec. 103. Use of information.</toc-entry> <toc-entry idref="ide81b2d35-690e-4a99-9ecc-c39dcf504726" level="section">Sec. 104. Reports on blue cards.</toc-entry> <toc-entry idref="id3e23ace7-5f89-4856-827b-5a4ef1f2a86d" level="section">Sec. 105. Authorization of appropriations.</toc-entry> <toc-entry idref="idedfecb8a-2c04-427c-b2be-570d509e9f72" level="title">TITLE II—Correction of Social Security records</toc-entry> <toc-entry idref="id25919f44-19bd-498f-91de-c6b1aceddba7" level="section">Sec. 201. Correction of Social Security records.</toc-entry> <toc-entry idref="id78937B4D86A34A31960D172633E702E4" level="title">TITLE III—Definitions</toc-entry> <toc-entry idref="id06F326F4F7294AA3B3342375896BD36F" level="section">Sec. 301. Definitions.</toc-entry> </toc> </subsection></section><title commented="no" id="idfd4bb0d7-2cd4-4bed-bba5-8fbeff8a55bb" level-type="subsequent"><enum>I</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Program for Earned Status Adjustment of Agricultural Workers</header> <section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb45d0898-344f-4cf3-86f9-4647d9525892" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>101.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Blue card status</header> <subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf8bc747e-7b81-44bc-a450-1e813889cf7b"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Requirements for blue card status</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary, may grant blue card status to an alien who—</text> |
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<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb2e7d393-28a8-4d40-b930-d659be295edb"><enum>(1)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id4BA7C4373DE54FE4AD1B300716C3EAFE"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">has completed qualified work;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7D96E4826AB84C6D9F118B0E28AD89F8" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idEB55F86222804E1FB9067B6A509810DA"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is the spouse or child of an alien described in subparagraph (A);</text> |
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</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id257FAEBEEAE947C081C1C3A1D6784AB9" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">was physically present in the United States on or before the date of the enactment of this Act; and</text> |
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</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB72F09A43C214AB997D630B89B11DBE0" indent="up1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">has maintained continuous presence in the United States from that date until the date on which the alien is granted blue card status; or</text> |
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</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id72E9819466F44286937ECCAFCD3E682B" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is, or has been, a nonimmigrant alien admitted to the United States for agricultural employment described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of such Act who has completed qualified work;</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idDB11820EBD6A4098995BA1CDE6924C45"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is not ineligible under subsection (d)(2);</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id12ae8e75-80e0-4952-a3ee-8819dba63f5f"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submits a completed application before the end of the period set forth in subsection (b)(3);</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph id="id8d483b7615ff4454ac045bc8ca824e02"><enum>(4)</enum><text>passes the national security and law enforcement clearances required under subsection (d)(1) to the satisfactory of the Secretary; and</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph id="idF972E2C1AE9940BBB743091B85CC5DFA"><enum>(5)</enum><text>pays the required processing fees and penalties in accordance with subsection (e).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id49a48d78-2647-4b21-85d7-b7826f7bf4ac"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Application</header> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide2c398fa-d208-4fdd-8f1b-1b03a9b134dc"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Submission requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien described in subsection (a)(1) who is seeking blue card status shall submit an application—</text> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD84A37B0B687431D9FB3AD09510A588C"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to the Secretary, with the assistance of an attorney or a nonprofit religious, charitable, social service, or similar organization recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals under section 292.2 of title 8, Code of Federal Regulations; or</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id49B30424E2A849D8A034923B735C37AB"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to a qualified entity if the applicant consents to the forwarding of the application to the Secretary.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id80c84a5701214a9d9902f7267a3f0e23"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Evidence of application filing</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">As soon as practicable after receiving each application for blue card status under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide the applicant with a document acknowledging the receipt of such application.</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idDBA37418FC1B4062BECB20AC56D7B40D"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Application period</header> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3159dbcd-36fd-49fa-8c8a-9dacaf5805ce"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Initial |
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period</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the Secretary shall accept applications for blue card status from aliens in the United States during the 18-month period beginning on the date on which the final rule is published in the Federal Register pursuant to subsection (j).</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0EB232B9239E4B549014338C8DADB841"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exception</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Aliens described in subsection (a)(1)(C) may apply for blue card status from outside of the United States.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc040cd35-1e51-4c41-b07c-de85fdd53efc"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Extension</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Secretary determines, during the initial period described in subparagraph (A), that additional time is required to process applications for blue card status or for other good cause, the Secretary may extend the period for accepting applications for an additional 18 months.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1232a4f2-09fd-42c2-aa00-74f9e9e3d032"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Application</header> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id26211760-5f87-4f25-8b41-95e483053b5c"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The application form referred to in paragraph (1) shall collect such information as the Secretary determines necessary and appropriate.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb43a5ca8-1174-4c8a-bb46-6de7a75b5302"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Family application</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall establish a process through which an alien may submit a single application under this section on behalf of the alien and his or her spouse and children who meet the requirements set forth in subsection (a)(1)(B).</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id6f9e03bfa66a4ea59a19e666371a5926"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Adjudication</header> |
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<subparagraph id="idA6BA0F8DFA2C4E83AFD9A3C15A04ED56"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Interview</header><text>The Secretary may interview applicants for blue card status to determine whether they meet the eligibility requirements set forth in this section.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ida93d11140d114f4c9989643f7ded1e99"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Failure to submit sufficient evidence</header><text>The Secretary may deny an application for blue card status submitted by an alien who fails to submit evidence of the alien’s eligibility for such status.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0711f14ac4f94690a1c3b5c5935e62d4"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Notice</header><text>If the Secretary denies an application for blue card status, the Secretary shall—</text> <clause id="id51181b46db424e94966362fc889b865c"><enum>(i)</enum><text>send a written notice to the applicant that provides the applicant with the basis for denial; and</text> |
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</clause><clause id="ide6541052e609485ba4d2e9c61dc7d54b"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>provide the alien with an opportunity to cure the denial within a reasonable time.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6dafb2ef373f457ea1833e8ef7beaa4d"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Amended application</header><text>An alien whose application for blue card status is denied under subparagraph (B) may submit an amended application for such status to the Secretary if the amended application—</text> |
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<clause id="ida6ef67c8af654c499fa5afa9d7944c4b"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is submitted within the application period described in paragraph (3); and</text> </clause><clause id="id465a08ae505241d7a54337ffffe124ff"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>contains all the required information and fees that were missing from the initial application.</text> |
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</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idb6bd0f6b16fa4d339d4877ed60043bdd"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Additional procedures</header><text>The Secretary may utilize the procedures set forth in sections 103.2 and 103.3 of title 8, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, to adjudicate requests for blue card status to the extent such procedures are consistent with the requirements under this section.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id1c54f79128ff44ddac48f69716c3ed3c"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Evidence of blue card status</header> |
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<subparagraph id="id8e687092675c4709ad87b38e346e8ceb"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall issue documentary evidence of blue card status to each alien whose application for such status has been approved.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3c322a7c1cb84df98a96fedd99f49c22"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Documentation features</header><text>Documentary evidence provided under subparagraph (A)—</text> <clause id="id7b71256160614e7ab48d5367e2949056"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall be machine-readable and tamper-resistant;</text> |
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</clause><clause id="id049E71BB8F764658B1F15760AEF2671D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>shall contain a digitized photograph;</text> </clause><clause id="id04c1d1551887469aba0e299ffb007047"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>shall, during the alien’s authorized period of admission, and any extension of such authorized admission, serve as a valid travel and entry document for the purpose of applying for admission to the United States;</text> |
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</clause><clause id="id8e6bbd79bd754e39920ce27db5e7b251"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>may be accepted during the period of its validity by an employer as evidence of employment authorization and identity under section 274A(b)(1)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1324a">8 U.S.C. 1324a(b)(1)(B)</external-xref>); and</text> |
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</clause><clause id="id194a2e2b8a8f463aa50c188c190728de"><enum>(v)</enum><text>shall include such other features and information as the Secretary may prescribe.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id198B9469F921442B9FFF6BB7D5514898"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Special rules for blue card applicants and aliens eligible for blue card status</header> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9b7ef068-cad4-4675-8bba-cd70f69fbb3c"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Aliens apprehended before or during the application period</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If an alien, who is apprehended during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on the last day of the application period described in paragraph (3), appears prima facie eligible for blue card status, the Secretary—</text> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbc52fbd5-1926-4fe1-aab8-06c83a569605"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall provide the alien with a reasonable opportunity to submit an application for such status under this section during such application period; and</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id78734c70-ea00-4cdf-ac74-543db5afc38c"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may not remove the individual until a final administrative determination is made on the application.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5535decb-0da2-4f55-9080-18cc12f9d221"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Aliens in removal proceedings</header> |
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<text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding any other provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101</external-xref> et seq.) if an alien is in removal, deportation, or exclusion proceedings during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on the last day of the application period described in subsection (b)(3) and is prima facie eligible for blue card status under this section, upon motion by the Secretary and with the consent of the alien or upon motion by the alien, the Executive Office for Immigration Review shall—</text> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" id="idadbc49d5839443809713b8a7fae504ac"><enum>(A)</enum><text>terminate such proceedings without prejudice to future proceedings; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id4448a81acfb54849a2aa22991f1b1236"><enum>(B)</enum><text>permit the alien a reasonable opportunity to apply for such status.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idecb3c97b-60d3-4722-9c3e-06fd1c913481"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Treatment of aliens previously ordered removed</header> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2440db74-6a04-418f-b02f-5effb2ef8e81"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If an alien who meets the eligibility requirements set forth in subsection (a) is present in the United States and has been ordered excluded, deported, or removed, or ordered to depart voluntarily from the United States under any provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act—</text> |
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<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb3c9fee8-535e-48b5-bcd4-3ac2bcf59973"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">notwithstanding such order or section 241(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1231">8 U.S.C. 1231(a)(5)</external-xref>), the alien may apply for blue card status under this section; and</text> |
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</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide8fcdc4c-222d-4381-a9ee-1d63ed45b8cd"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">if the alien is granted such status, the alien may file a motion to reopen the exclusion, deportation, removal, or voluntary departure order, which motion shall be granted.</text> |
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</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id82652603-7aad-4210-a35b-d7449a2661d8"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Limitations on motions to |
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reopen</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The limitations on motions to reopen set forth in section 240(c)(7) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1229a">8 U.S.C. 1229a(c)(7)</external-xref>) shall not apply to motions filed under subparagraph (A)(ii).</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5b5448bd-ec9b-4961-a00d-72fe798fca89"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Period pending adjudication of |
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application</header> |
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<text display-inline="yes-display-inline">During the period beginning on the date on which an alien applies for blue card status under this section and ending on the date on which the Secretary makes a final decision regarding such application, the alien—</text> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" id="idf09e4865d164451ba87d5d637ddce6e0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is eligible to apply for advance parole;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide8221b30-833b-4798-b429-07b3e8761b7d"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may not be detained by the Secretary or removed from the United States unless the Secretary makes a prima facie determination that such alien is, or has become, ineligible for blue card status under subsection (d)(2);</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida85c2301-06fa-428f-ba06-38693a410b08"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall not be considered unlawfully present under section 212(a)(9)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(9)(B)</external-xref>); and</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id88fc9c79-42f4-4c86-8c19-c9c71ed5ffdf"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall not be considered an unauthorized alien (as defined in section 274A(h)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1324a">8 U.S.C. 1324a(h)(3)</external-xref>)).</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1138263c-1497-462c-b081-2f478504c835"><enum>(5)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effect of departure</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 101(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101(g)</external-xref>) shall not apply to an alien granted—</text> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8751c321-e0cf-43fd-9547-5eb08879b527"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">advance parole under paragraph (4)(A) to reenter the United States; or</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6a5cf852-fe48-4c19-9856-ccb67e0b21e8"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">blue card status.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id9dbfe8f7ac1b42568509a3cb0257c531"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Protection from detention or removal during blue card status</header><text>An alien granted blue card status under this section may not be detained by the Secretary or removed from the United States unless—</text> |
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<subparagraph id="id8a5fb45f55f749c3837d56694f78101e"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the alien is removable under 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1227">8 U.S.C. 1227</external-xref>); or</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd931b72642464eb894d9323ad7378171"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the alien’s blue card status has been revoked.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7e806a8a-9d66-495d-b5cb-c87042a4e24a"><enum>(7)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Duration of status</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Beginning on the date that is eight years after the date on which regulations are published under subsection (j), no alien may remain in blue card status.</text> |
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</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA095B5C4F513454CB161DEC9FEC39EE6"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Required background investigations and ineligibility</header> |
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<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id70e63d79-f405-4f8e-a744-7eb2895ffff4"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id637623f9-5ab9-4632-bba1-c5f50c3e5dfb"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Biometric and biographic data</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may not grant blue card status to an alien or an alien dependent spouse or child under this section unless such alien submits biometric and biographic data in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd215b2eb-0048-4371-8a56-784795e5afab"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Alternative procedures</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall provide an alternative procedure for applicants who cannot provide the standard biometric data required under subparagraph (A) because of a physical impairment.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id04c1eb17-0eba-416b-9480-6cd3a6852659"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Data collection</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall collect, from each alien applying for status under this section, biometric, biographic, and other data that the Secretary determines to be appropriate in order to conduct a background investigation and determine the alien’s eligibility for blue card status.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id498d7cc700e34e87a78d8a9aca80d70b"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Grounds for ineligibility</header> |
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<subparagraph id="id78cd21774b9f493d87736ce750f5d792"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an alien is ineligible for blue card status if the Secretary determines that the alien—</text> |
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<clause id="id9be1d157099548e49d4aaf7d52265581"><enum>(i)</enum><text>has a conviction for—</text> <subclause id="id8ea0c629005b4648a24cea5f949b699a"><enum>(I)</enum><text>an offense classified as a felony in the convicting jurisdiction (other than a State or local offense for which an essential element was the alien’s immigration status, or a violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101</external-xref> et seq.));</text> |
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</subclause><subclause id="id54ce9db01a8d4c9fa53a28855def44ea"><enum>(II)</enum><text>an aggravated felony (as defined in section 101(a)(43) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(43)</external-xref>) at the time of the conviction);</text> |
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</subclause><subclause id="idbdd7c435782e4db8908bde1e8f9d1fae"><enum>(III)</enum><text>three or more misdemeanor offenses (other than minor traffic offenses or State or local offenses for which an essential element was the alien’s immigration status, or violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act) if the alien was convicted on different dates for each of the 3 offenses;</text> |
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</subclause><subclause id="id4165d9eb86924d6d8ad54030c7273651"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>any offense under foreign law, except for a purely political offense, which, if the offense had been committed in the United States, would render the alien inadmissible under section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182(a)</external-xref>), excluding the paragraphs set forth in clause (ii), or removable under section 237(a) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1227">8 U.S.C. 1227(a)</external-xref>), except as provided in paragraph (3) of such section 237(a); or</text> |
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</subclause><subclause id="id9696817559684ddd9406ea48d9d9fc63"><enum>(V)</enum><text>unlawful voting (as defined in section 237(a)(6) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1227">8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(6)</external-xref>));</text> |
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</subclause></clause><clause id="ide42b26b11d5e46d9b728e8508dc043d9"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>is inadmissible under section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182(a)</external-xref>), except that in determining an alien’s inadmissibility—</text> |
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<subclause id="id74daf6a7b3a54a308d9bdabec83425ea"><enum>(I)</enum><text>paragraphs (4), (5), (7), and (9)(B) of such section 212(a) shall not apply;</text> </subclause><subclause id="id174fefb346384d6d8305788d2a2ab490"><enum>(II)</enum><text>subparagraphs (A), (C), (D), (F), and (G) of such section 212(a)(6) and paragraphs (9)(C) and (10)(B) of such section 212(a) shall not apply unless based on the act of unlawfully entering the United States after the date of the enactment of this Act; and</text> |
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</subclause><subclause id="id788a9450d8e34909b274752bc9f5d127"><enum>(III)</enum><text>paragraphs (6)(B) and (9)(A) of such section 212(a) shall not apply unless the relevant conduct began on or after the date on which the alien files an application for registered provisional immigrant status under this section;</text> |
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</subclause></clause><clause id="id56f6b847ae4d4c70be3ef2dac05dfb55"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>is an alien who the Secretary knows or has reasonable grounds to believe, is engaged in or is likely to engage after entry in any terrorist activity (as defined in section 212(a)(3)(B)(iv) of such Act); or</text> |
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</clause><clause id="ide3f462a9705c46bd91319b7581d28eff"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>was, on the date of the enactment of this Act—</text> <subclause id="id9a6d6d69cf474cdda8a88ef49a68aa23"><enum>(I)</enum><text>an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; or</text> |
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</subclause><subclause id="idb3ea2f7cb4074bac8c05496af976bcd3"><enum>(II)</enum><text>an alien admitted as a refugee under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1157">8 U.S.C. 1157</external-xref>) or granted asylum under section 208 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1158">8 U.S.C. 1158</external-xref>).</text> |
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</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4a4a6ae7df5e4b52bd53072a4a7d1245"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Waiver</header> |
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<clause id="ide7f1e13e50c543279e89aeb57e435ae8"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary may waive the application of subparagraph (A)(i)(III) or any provision of section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182(a)</external-xref>) that is not listed in clause (ii) on behalf of an alien for humanitarian purposes, to ensure family unity, or if such a waiver is otherwise in the public interest. Any discretionary authority to waive grounds of inadmissibility under such section 212(a) conferred under any other provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act shall apply equally to aliens seeking blue card status under this section.</text> |
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</clause><clause id="id2043be2c016d4852ac95e7505916c122"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><text>The discretionary authority under clause (i) may not be used to waive—</text> <subclause id="idda060ecad95643738f72f78c2806eb97"><enum>(I)</enum><text>subparagraph (B), (C), (D)(ii), (E), (G), (H), or (I) of section 212(a)(2) of such Act;</text> |
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</subclause><subclause id="ida58596208d974264ab9d74ef6fde0ec8"><enum>(II)</enum><text>section 212(a)(3) of such Act; or</text> </subclause><subclause id="idb8556e05c55f41f5a94549249821893f"><enum>(III)</enum><text>subparagraph (A), (C), (D), or (E) of section 212(a)(10) of such Act.</text> |
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</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf462fcab979447608f73f9f2dee0d80e"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Conviction explained</header><text>For purposes of this paragraph, the term <term>conviction</term> does not include a judgment that has been expunged, set aside, or the equivalent.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idea2a3a369ed741c0a3bde7609cdf09c5"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to require the Secretary to commence removal proceedings against an alien.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7a8a7670-ca0d-4086-82c9-a2e82d644d42"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Fees and penalties</header> |
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<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida47db43a-c290-48cc-95d9-3504533a3e38"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Standard processing fee</header> |
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<text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Aliens 16 years of age or older who are applying for blue card status under this subsection, or for an extension of such status, shall pay a processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security in an amount determined by the Secretary.</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id71804e5a-bd46-46f9-bada-a6d48dcf4494"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Recovery of costs</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The processing fee authorized under paragraph (1) shall be set at a level that is sufficient to recover the full costs of processing the application, including any costs incurred—</text> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id73517fae-c20e-4844-806d-08a8cb337805"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to adjudicate the application;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1525921b-4cb7-400b-ac27-7e61571357ec"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to take and process biometric data;</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id81b81354-a0ba-4ee5-8cd4-e1c02710da43"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to perform national security and criminal checks, including adjudication;</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5d78e89c-84ac-4e65-be9b-7ceb8b3e9a9e"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to prevent and investigate fraud; and</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id10b83234-68db-462b-8a32-f202b14f35cd"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to administer the collection of such fee.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3b202123-3620-4bae-ac51-ed1512dfb313"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Authority to limit fees</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may issue regulations—</text> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbb9965b5-5b97-4706-befe-f685c067e632"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to limit the maximum processing fee payable under this subsection by a family, including spouses and unmarried children younger than 21 years of age; and</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddb8034a4-f07c-46fc-b6d5-f74b07661ec7"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to exempt defined classes of individuals from the payment of the fee required under paragraph (1).</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6b66bfbc-6f7e-44c3-872c-89eb9b0305a2"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Penalty</header> |
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<text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In addition to the processing fee required under paragraph (1), aliens applying for blue card status under this subsection who are 21 years of age or older shall pay a $100 penalty to the Department of Homeland Security.</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph id="idc6d08290efb445278beecb9690da6f28"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Deposit and use of processing fees and penalties</header><text>Fees and penalties authorized under this subsection—</text> <subparagraph id="id5819bfb736c9448f9090e6de84a4cd7b"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall be deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account pursuant to section 286(m) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1356">8 U.S.C. 1356(m)</external-xref>); and</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id965cb7d3e3ce41e4ae0e8ae8717048b4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall remain available until expended pursuant to section 286(n) of such Act.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idae1d8b5d-00a3-4d59-a574-aadee94ea52e"><enum>(f)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Terms and conditions of blue card status</header> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2d9ed6e9-7fb9-4d47-b521-d00c47f11a5c"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Conditions of blue card status</header> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd68176e1-6d80-4d5c-9dd7-587973d4c7a5"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Employment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including section 241(a)(7) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1231">8 U.S.C. 1231(a)(7)</external-xref>), an alien with blue card status shall be authorized to be employed in the United States while in such status.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7d166491-05a7-44e9-b39e-b309847eee2a"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Travel outside the united |
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states</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien with blue card status—</text> |
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<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9B046A72FEC34966A94DE659B29450D5"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may travel outside of the United States, including commuting to the United States from a residence in a foreign country; and</text> |
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</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id44447EAB1834413689413F8A6560A8FD"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may be admitted upon returning to the United States without having to obtain a visa if—</text> |
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<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida44afeb3-1962-494d-b953-e82d61596a90"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the alien is in possession of—</text> <item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id64bf1659-feb4-4270-b717-2d5df18a1fee"><enum>(aa)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">valid, unexpired documentary evidence of blue card status that complies with subsection (b)(6)(B); or</text> |
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</item><item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id15deaae8-0d5c-4e40-95af-458648e4211b"><enum>(bb)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a travel document that has been approved by the Secretary and was issued to the alien after the alien’s original documentary evidence was lost, stolen, or destroyed;</text> |
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</item></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8da413c5-4432-4951-90f3-e7947aa7d3e4"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the alien’s absence from the United States did not exceed 180 days, unless the alien’s failure to timely return was due to extenuating circumstances beyond the alien’s control; and</text> |
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</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb8031462-b4b6-4a2f-8836-8dc3f41ab820"><enum>(III)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the alien establishes that he or she is not inadmissible under subparagraph (A)(i), (A)(iii), (B), or (C) of section 212(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)</external-xref>).</text> |
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</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1880e491-7d5e-4374-a48a-9c35ca9de27f"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Admission</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien granted blue card status shall be considered to have been admitted in such status as of the date on which the alien’s application was submitted.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id939f4592-49b4-4554-b39c-95849bb2805a"><enum>(D)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Clarification of status</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien granted blue card status shall be considered lawfully admitted to the United States.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddb343db2-9070-49ad-bea3-acbe337ba85a"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Revocation</header> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfc57293e-01de-4f1f-94bf-b9acd4cde370"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may revoke blue card status at any time after providing appropriate notice to the alien, and after the exhaustion or waiver of all applicable administrative review procedures if the alien—</text> |
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<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idab51680b-8376-436e-8236-8802f9492838"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">no longer meets the eligibility requirements for blue card status;</text> |
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</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1794d0c2-57e4-4535-9cc4-81178f81aac4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">knowingly used documentation issued under this section for an unlawful or fraudulent purpose; or</text> |
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</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8e737511-9309-44de-8441-174280d4a4a0"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">was absent from the United States for—</text> |
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<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id67e8b396-4009-4cf3-a20c-ddc8a7bca63d"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any single period longer than 180 days in violation of the requirement under paragraph (1)(B)(ii)(II); or</text> |
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</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id99477bb3-2d8e-42c1-a008-3644713bc114"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for more than 180 days in the aggregate during any calendar year, unless the alien’s failure to timely return was due to extenuating circumstances beyond the alien’s control.</text> |
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</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id99bfdd21-35f8-41b8-b5d2-aaacf2c365eb"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Additional evidence</header> |
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<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id330c2684-4c6d-4fe3-8ead-f0c6b081a6a3"><enum>(i)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In determining whether to revoke an alien’s status under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may require the alien—</text> |
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<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id44cc2aad-9957-4843-ac87-5359b0b28725"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to submit additional evidence; and</text> </subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida591b582-bc0f-4100-a19d-26c787af5a09"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to appear for an interview.</text> |
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</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3e054001-2abe-4aa8-b3ff-8387b8a4b3ab"><enum>(ii)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effect of noncompliance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The blue card status of an alien who fails to comply with any requirement imposed by the Secretary under clause (i) shall be revoked unless the alien demonstrates to the Secretary’s satisfaction that such failure was reasonably excusable.</text> |
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</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcb7f2735-d5e2-4948-be15-04a8cccd959a"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Invalidation of documentation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If an alien’s blue card status is revoked pursuant to subparagraph (A), any documentation issued by the Secretary to such alien under subsection (b)(6) shall automatically be rendered invalid for any purpose except for departure from the United States.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4263124b-53bb-4d7d-bd23-50b3b4a3869b"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Ineligibility for public |
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benefits</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien who has been granted blue card status is not eligible for the Federal means-tested public benefits unavailable to qualified aliens under section 403 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1613">8 U.S.C. 1613</external-xref>).</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id98c40db6-d142-4ead-8812-c9ff4da146f1"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Treatment of blue card status</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien granted blue card status shall be considered lawfully present in the United States for all purposes while such alien remains in such status, except that the alien—</text> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id57fe4b29-d968-4757-8452-cc32a91f0400"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is not entitled to the premium assistance tax credit authorized under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/36B">section 36B</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/36B">26 U.S.C. 36B</external-xref>) for his or her coverage;</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8565b091-9fd7-4ab7-9aec-0a054aef754a"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall be subject to the rules applicable to individuals who are not lawfully present set forth in subsection (e) of such section;</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0a1c2f46-f51d-40af-9255-c9243427555b"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall be subject to the rules applicable to individuals who are not lawfully present set forth in section 1402(e) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/18071">42 U.S.C. 18071(e)</external-xref>); and</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6BDD5853A6FA4533A296C32E4F0749AF"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall be subject to the rules applicable to individuals not lawfully present set forth in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/5000A">section 5000A(d)(3)</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/5000A">26 U.S.C. 5000A(d)(3)</external-xref>).</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddc306e66-b50c-416e-96c2-5b6cff121f9e"><enum>(g)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Provisions involving employers</header> |
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<paragraph id="idc3f0775bc90e486a82f634e08f69a8eb"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Record of employment</header><text>Employers of aliens granted blue card status shall provide the alien and the Secretary with a written record of employment each year the alien remains in such status.</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide43d9a51-d69f-4d4b-814e-f41a727056d1"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Civil penalties</header> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id55c21ab0-2e1c-41c9-a3a0-b8ff8fa37dae"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Secretary determines, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, that an employer of an alien granted blue card status has knowingly failed to provide the record of employment required under paragraph (1) or has provided a false statement of material fact in such a record, the employer shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $500 per violation.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4a8c00f8-4e89-4841-973c-560bf1e74ba3"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Limitation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The penalty under subparagraph (A) for failure to provide employment records shall not apply unless the alien has provided the employer with evidence of employment authorization described in subsection (b)(11).</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id11559c6f-102a-4bb0-a61f-cf2fd2175003"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Deposit of civil penalties</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Civil penalties collected under this paragraph shall be deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account pursuant to section 286(m) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1356">8 U.S.C. 1356(m)</external-xref>).</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0d220e82-7552-4da1-af9e-74191f1154a2"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Continuing employment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An employer that knows an alien employee is an applicant for blue card status or will apply for such status once the application period commences is not in violation of section 274A(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1324a">8 U.S.C. 1324a(a)(2)</external-xref>) if the employer continues to employ the alien pending the adjudication of the alien employee’s application.</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id20A872A3CD174CA687DD1C3EC5EE572B"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Employer protections</header> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4C29E9784A3843D38CB920C1A79093C0"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Use of employment records</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Copies of employment records or other evidence of employment provided by an alien or by an alien’s employer in support of an alien’s application for blue card status may not be used in a civil or criminal prosecution or investigation of that employer under section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1324a">8 U.S.C. 1324a</external-xref>) or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for the prior unlawful employment of that alien regardless of the adjudication of such application or reconsideration by the Secretary of such alien's prima facie eligibility determination. Employers that provide unauthorized aliens with copies of employment records or other evidence of employment pursuant to an application for blue card status shall not be subject to civil and criminal liability pursuant to such section 274A for employing such unauthorized aliens.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idEBDD0700CCF24A9E902DAA60982B927A"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Limit on applicability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The protections for employers and aliens under subparagraph (A) shall not apply if the aliens or employers submit employment records that are determined to be fraudulent.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id05510cabd2374ca2b580d842d76a44e1"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Administrative and judicial review</header> |
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<paragraph id="ide266f75a01854d4ca2fecc0d5f060544"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Any administrative or judicial review of a determination regarding an application for blue card status shall comply with the requirements under this subsection.</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph id="id8602998827b748eba4b643fa40024a52"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Administrative review</header> |
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<subparagraph id="idc531b89d49d34e748259b2223ec2d604"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Single level of appellate review</header><text>The Secretary shall establish an appellate authority to provide for a single level of administration appellate review of a final agency determination.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id82c27add89b64fccbbb3d0c2b02c7137"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Standard for review</header><text>An administrative appellate review established under subparagraph (A) shall be based solely upon—</text> <clause id="id29AE0B1071034E57A85621C003D318A8"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the administrative record established at the time of the determination regarding the application; and</text> |
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</clause><clause id="id588D3D1AB47F4CE5923508319BE073E9"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any additional or newly discovered evidence that was not available at the time of a final agency determination.</text> |
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</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idb72948d194b54a18b3511b287ebb3a0e"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Judicial review</header><text>Judicial review of a determination under this section shall be limited to the review of an order of removal under section 242 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1252">8 U.S.C. 1252</external-xref>).</text> |
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</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idFB1F0460459B4768B966D12C0A26CB86"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Disclosures and privacy</header> |
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<paragraph id="idf843c7b7f961488daf9cc5384b8d9411"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Prohibited disclosures</header><text>Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, no officer or employee of any Federal agency may—</text> <subparagraph id="id24949ac371ae49c29555f6a5bd0b5118"><enum>(A)</enum><text>use the information furnished in an application for lawful status under this section or section 245B of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by section 102, for any purpose other than to make a determination on any application by the alien for any immigration benefit or protection;</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id10b47a5ceec74157988046bf36c46288"><enum>(B)</enum><text>make any publication through which information furnished by any particular applicant can be identified; or</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id379e6ac42c0c438ab0357def21edff31"><enum>(C)</enum><text>permit anyone other than the sworn officers, employees, and contractors of such agency or of another entity approved by the Secretary to examine any individual application for lawful status under this section or such section 245B.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id2c5eddcbb42945dca87c7808bbc4b159"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Required disclosures</header><text>The Secretary shall provide the information furnished in an application filed under this section or section 245B of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by section 102, and any other information derived from such furnished information to—</text> |
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<subparagraph id="id365e233af31e499baf30b894c7bcf015"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a law enforcement agency, intelligence agency, national security agency, a component of the Department of Homeland Security, court, or grand jury, consistent with law, in connection with—</text> |
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<clause id="idd61f18dd1b0b40f7bca35509653594a8"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a criminal investigation or prosecution of any felony not related to the applicant’s immigration status; or</text> |
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</clause><clause id="id0d36ed1ff1694810b3207bf2219eb09d"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a national security investigation or prosecution; and</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf8424a7af62a40b79b1064dd556fba78"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an official coroner for purposes of affirmatively identifying a deceased individual, whether or not the death of such individual resulted from a crime.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id37df5194451e477c9f44d98d8f6f643b"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Auditing and evaluation of information</header><text>The Secretary may—</text> <subparagraph id="id62affd563a6c473ba49157e77697dc70"><enum>(A)</enum><text>audit and evaluate information furnished as part of any application filed under this section or section 245B of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by section 102, for purposes of identifying immigration fraud or fraud schemes; and</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idea841415e4cb4327b367d2539e6b8104"><enum>(B)</enum><text>use any evidence detected by means of audits and evaluations for purposes of investigating, prosecuting, referring for prosecution, or denying or terminating immigration benefits.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ide5d495ff95da481c94528265309c4b58"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Privacy and civil liberties</header> |
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<subparagraph id="id906f8c68f2cb477297639a6219bfeea8"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary, in accordance with paragraph (1), shall require appropriate administrative and physical safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of personally identifiable information collected, maintained, and disseminated pursuant to this section and section 245B of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by section 102.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id97b5968f27a948bfa18c260caae96a00"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Assessments</header><text>Notwithstanding the privacy requirements set forth in section 222 of the Homeland Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/142">6 U.S.C. 142</external-xref>) and the E-Government Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/107/347">Public Law 107–347</external-xref>), the Secretary shall conduct a privacy impact assessment and a civil liberties impact assessment of the legalization program established under this section and section 245B of the Immigration and Nationality Act during the pendency of the final regulations to be issued pursuant to subsection (j).</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id66b1875e-5ee5-446e-bd80-b8c1f3f70bfb"><enum>(j)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Rulemaking</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue final regulations to implement this section.</text> |
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</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1168CD3DDFD149A5912F96068858F8F0" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>102.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Adjustment to permanent resident |
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status</header> |
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<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idAADD1237E7674403A0122555851A77D4"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Chapter 5 of title II (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1255">8 U.S.C. 1255</external-xref> et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 245A the following:</text> |
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<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD7944392CB27408284D838B519DDA969" style="OLC"> |
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<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2E38CDBD0E2C4548AFD312BF189B80C0" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>245B.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Adjustment to permanent resident status for |
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agricultural workers</header> |
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<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1705404A3830445EB11C8549C7D5E8F7"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in subsection (b), and not earlier than 5 years after the date of the enactment of the <short-title>Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017</short-title>, the Secretary shall adjust the status of an alien granted blue card status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence if the Secretary determines that the following requirements are satisfied:</text> |
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<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9BFDFF059CE54311B726BF4F7B5304B3"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Qualifying employment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in paragraph (3), the alien—</text> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC746996A25114D93802D104C946E5596"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">during the 8-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the <short-title>Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017</short-title>, performed not less than 100 work days of agricultural employment during each of 5 years; or</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7110FA1034834D3FA3FA37BDF41DCB35"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">during the 5-year period beginning on such date of enactment, performed not less than 150 work days of agricultural employment during each of 3 years.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2E3B8A5BDA57412D89AA273750269CBD"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Evidence</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien may demonstrate compliance with the requirement under paragraph (1) by submitting to the Secretary—</text> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idAFB684B7285F41A58A637C98F8D0E1CC"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the alien’s record of employment (as described in section 101(d) of the <short-title>Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017</short-title>);</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD013E1820B47401FB3BBEEA43162D277"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">documentation that may be submitted under subsection (e)(4); or</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id34BB9EBCE6364674995BD65F75A21DEF"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any other documentation designated by the Secretary for such purpose.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idBC3EC540DEF940D8BBCC73218D8CB957"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Extraordinary circumstances</header> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idEFDF36B340914543944BBB158FFE4CAB"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In determining whether an alien has met the requirement under paragraph (1), the Secretary may credit the alien with not more than 12 additional months of agricultural employment in the United States to meet such requirement if the alien was unable to work in agricultural employment due to—</text> |
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<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8B7A227DB81B4D18A23FCF9B126F4A6E"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">pregnancy, disabling injury, or disease established by the alien through medical records;</text> |
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</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3FF79EDBAEB5480E8128E6D1DA390831"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">illness, disease, or other special needs of the alien’s child established by the alien through medical records;</text> |
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</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD94FEACB32DF46848E97DDE3FF395FDB"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">severe weather conditions that prevented the alien from engaging in agricultural employment for a significant period; or</text> |
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</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5B07C397C9B6485995938E268F161407"><enum>(iv)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">termination from agricultural employment, if the Secretary determines that—</text> |
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<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id995DA97206A64323B0AF6AC3F8E8F10C"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the termination was without just cause; and</text> |
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</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD5D946BF81934572913795E1B54681C6"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the alien was unable to find alternative agricultural employment after a reasonable job search.</text> |
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</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id50EDD89A8D8F4C4AA46CFD40668E560B"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effect of determination</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A determination under subparagraph (A)(iv), with respect to an alien, shall not be conclusive, binding, or admissible in a separate or subsequent judicial or administrative action or proceeding between the alien and a current or prior employer of the alien or any other party.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id969FA3E5F7C048D0985451FA7F900878"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Application period</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The alien applies for adjustment of status before the expiration of the alien’s blue card status.</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD4C906475A904078904389401CBBBB29"><enum>(5)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Fine</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The alien pays a fine of $400 to the Secretary, which shall be deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account pursuant to section 286(m).</text> |
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</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id411F32B4A9BE4866A7280F3E92001D09"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Grounds for denial of adjustment of |
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status</header> |
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<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id41E654BCA1F04D8FB39769CA6CB091EE"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may not adjust the status of an alien granted blue card status if the alien—</text> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD13FC3F6125B47EEAD020B6C45B81F2B"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is no longer eligible for blue card status; or</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7036D30A35054832BB1326AA0B13A97A"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">failed to perform the qualifying employment required under subsection (a)(1), after considering any amount credited by the Secretary under subsection (a)(3).</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8D677FE002A74A5281C6F700B5CD9941"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Maintenance of waivers of |
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inadmissibility</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The grounds of inadmissibility set forth in section 212(a) that were previously waived for the alien or made inapplicable shall not apply for purposes of the alien’s adjustment of status under this section.</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idEB5E91CD6DB94BD1A199FFB5EE539D4B"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Pending revocation |
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proceedings</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Secretary has notified the applicant that the Secretary intends to revoke the applicant’s blue card status, the Secretary may not approve an application for adjustment of status under this section unless the Secretary makes a final determination not to revoke the applicant’s status.</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id09F1B25605D24FE287E8C97983BB97EB"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Payment of taxes</header> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFDA3BF60E58A4B9E9D54CEBFE233763E"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien may not file an application for adjustment of status under this section unless the applicant has satisfied any applicable federal tax liability.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB105F0EF2A1F4F7E8A53ECE372D7651F"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definition of applicable federal tax |
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liability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this paragraph, the term <term>applicable federal tax liability</term> means all Federal income taxes assessed in accordance with <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/6203">section 6203</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 since the date on which the applicant was authorized to work in the United States in blue card status.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7DFCFE2C9A224A26A50C40E209B25154"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Compliance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien may demonstrate compliance with subparagraph (A) by submitting such documentation as the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, may require by regulation.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4AF136B5F3424709A14D75E342DBF46E"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Spouses and children</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall grant permanent resident status to the spouse or child of an alien whose status was adjusted under subsection (a) if—</text> |
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<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6A72FEBF42B34CD18CBC3EA1C42692E6"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the spouse or child (including any individual who was a child on the date such alien was granted blue card status) applies for or received such status;</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3374EA1719C5427B8DF4C29A3D533B23"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the principal alien includes the spouse and children in an application for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident; and</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id384145AEFF1447D484A2918C9019C607"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the spouse or child is not ineligible for such status.</text> |
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</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF9601F812088450ABF42F1B66A898D02"><enum>(d)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Numerical limitations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The numerical limitations under sections 201 and 202 shall not apply to the adjustment of aliens to lawful permanent resident status under this section.</text> |
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</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD47F10254A214145A1FBC6AAB3B64678"><enum>(e)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Submission of applications</header> |
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<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id426D4CA93C9A43DF847DBCEF5B677F61"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Interview</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may interview applications for adjustment of status under this section to determine whether the alien meets the eligibility requirements set forth in this section.</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8DCCCF03FE9A457EA4457D10891B2879"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Fees</header> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id731A50DBF01C46C284297320E4202E32"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Applicants for adjustment of status under this section shall pay a processing fee to the Secretary in an amount that will ensure the recovery of the full costs of adjudicating such applications, including—</text> |
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<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5B4887F64D37402E8E1834DC55904D2D"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the cost of taking and processing biometric data;</text> |
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</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2BED5ACDFF4F490198D9CFF640ACBE19"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">expenses relating to prevention and investigation of fraud; and</text> |
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</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE4D57F885C54448F97ACDD2131E4E982"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">costs relating to the collection of such fee.</text> |
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</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id289309A0C1E44B63A3935888AD9E9D16"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Authority to limit fees</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary, by regulation—</text> <clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id12F11A6DEC04418CB6B6A0E54D2A2CD8"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may limit the maximum processing fee payable under this paragraph by a family, including spouses and children; and</text> |
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</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE7E8294F75FA48BCB5F2494B8E1CE146"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may exempt defined classes of individuals from the payment of the fee under subparagraph (A).</text> |
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</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB40EF1637DBA46A2AC676F2CE091FE02"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Disposition of fees</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">All fees collected under paragraph (2)(A)—</text> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id59D0B44CBF49451EA24EE9481C9E5BE4"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall be deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account pursuant to section 286(m); and</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE12F8FE5FCE845AE9480B106ACBD5CA9"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall remain available until expended pursuant to section 286(n).</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5AFE17E3683544898A1B234EB6D8E0E9"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Documentation of work history</header> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7E71DAD8ED8F4EDAA8D28794D8FA11BB"><enum>(A)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Burden of proof</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien applying for blue card status under section 101 of the <short-title>Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017</short-title> or for adjustment of status under subsection (a) shall provide evidence that the alien has worked the requisite number of hours or days required under subsection (a)(1) of such section 101 or subsection (a)(1) of this section, as applicable.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id002A3BE032A74B3897DA5C8B09EAFD4F"><enum>(B)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Timely production of records</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If an employer or farm labor contractor employing such an alien has kept proper and adequate records respecting such employment, the alien’s burden of proof under subparagraph (A) may be met by securing timely production of those records under regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary.</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1F476D056053453BB116FEDF2BC024FD"><enum>(C)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Sufficient evidence</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien may meet the burden of proof under subparagraph (A) to establish that the alien has performed the days or hours of work referred to in subparagraph (A) by producing sufficient evidence to show the extent of that employment as a matter of just and reasonable inference.</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idDC2515FFC0A143C69594FC416D3C6FE7"><enum>(f)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Penalties for false statements in |
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applications</header> |
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<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0C8A2E3CBDD24671A82974E4608BE805"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Criminal penalty</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any person who—</text> <subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idADE90DB9BEE1475D9F61A805312E4DF8"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">files an application for blue card status under section 101 of the <short-title>Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017</short-title> or for an adjustment of status under this section and knowingly and willfully falsifies, conceals, or covers up a material fact or makes any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations, or makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry; or</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2FBE502AED8249F0BF1F2300E10A6EB0"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">creates or supplies a false writing or document for use in making such an application,</text> |
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</subparagraph><continuation-text commented="no" continuation-text-level="paragraph">shall be fined in accordance with |
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title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or |
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both.</continuation-text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id16116929FB974311BAFDF84582A1455D"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Inadmissibility</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien who is convicted of a crime described in paragraph (1) shall be deemed inadmissible to the United States on the grounds described in section 212(a)(6)(C)(i).</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8E49E9A31A3B44BFBC90D3F2593D21F9"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Deposit</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Fines collected under paragraph (1) shall be deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account pursuant to section 286(m).</text> |
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</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE37A1A6DF2D8403ABDCE833AD825C0FD"><enum>(g)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Eligibility for legal |
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services</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 504(a)(11) of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/104/134">Public Law 104–134</external-xref>; 110 Stat. 1321–55) may not be construed to prevent a recipient of funds under the Legal Services Corporation Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/2996">42 U.S.C. 2996</external-xref> et seq.) from providing legal assistance directly related to an application for blue card status under section 101 of the <short-title>Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017</short-title>, to an individual who has been granted blue card status, or for an application for an adjustment of status under this section.</text> |
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</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id806F9201E9EC4B85AA20778454383A8B"><enum>(h)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Administrative and judicial |
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review</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Aliens applying for blue card status under section 101 of the <short-title>Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017</short-title> or for adjustment to permanent resident status under this section shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the conditions applicable to other classes of aliens under section 242.</text> |
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</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> |
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</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id405E47E92584435EAED22FD96C5AAEA6"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Conforming amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 201(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1151">8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(1)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id06A62708E50B493786DA7D872426308A"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); and</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id215D09E2D5EE40C290EF5213911584D3"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:</text> |
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<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id50E8F095831A4CE9834B4A020AEE9DDF" style="OLC"> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC1547207672D4E5C91841289DED99D94"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Aliens granted lawful permanent resident status under section 245B.</text> |
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</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> |
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</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFE49185C351549DD9257F526ACC538FE"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Clerical amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of contents of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101</external-xref> note) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 245A the following:</text> |
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<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7e1a6a18-d4be-49b9-97a2-72c2b13847cf" style="OLC"> |
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<toc> |
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<toc-entry bold="off" idref="id2E38CDBD0E2C4548AFD312BF189B80C0" level="section">Sec. 245B. Adjustment to permanent resident status for |
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agricultural |
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workers.</toc-entry> |
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</toc> |
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<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> |
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</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id69ffa744-20f5-44eb-8739-b60787553c44" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>103.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Use of information</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Beginning not later than the first day of the application period described in section 101(b)(3), the Secretary, in cooperation with qualified designated entities, shall broadly disseminate information regarding—</text> |
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<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id51BB4BD3FE4F4398A10AC7175E0EE76A"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the benefits that aliens may receive under this title and the amendments made by this title; and</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id60B3752CC054440E8C6915D2CC7D9DC8"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the requirements that an alien is required to meet to receive such benefits.</text> |
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</paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide81b2d35-690e-4a99-9ecc-c39dcf504726" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>104.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Reports on blue cards</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than six months after the publication of the final rule under section 101(j), and annually thereafter for the following eight years, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that identifies, for the previous fiscal year—</text> |
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<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id90665858-597e-4920-b348-277fa56ee772"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the number of aliens who applied for blue card status;</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbdc98508-6034-49cc-a125-1fb88dbc3bc1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the number of aliens who were granted blue card status;</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd906fac6-fea5-4cec-9646-334c00a34ebb"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the number of aliens who applied for an adjustment of status pursuant to section 245B(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by section 102; and</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1d4e127a-32fc-4799-9b72-6a73bf40babb"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the number of aliens who received an adjustment of status pursuant such section 245B(a).</text> |
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</paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3e23ace7-5f89-4856-827b-5a4ef1f2a86d" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>105.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Authorization of |
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appropriations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such amounts as may be necessary to implement this title, including any amounts needed for costs associated with the initiation of such implementation during fiscal years 2017 and 2018.</text> |
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</section></title><title commented="no" id="idedfecb8a-2c04-427c-b2be-570d509e9f72" level-type="subsequent"><enum>II</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Correction of Social Security |
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records</header> |
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<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id25919f44-19bd-498f-91de-c6b1aceddba7" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>201.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Correction of Social Security |
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records</header> |
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<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7b78c0d8-a7db-4937-b522-5f6b20d882d2"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 208(e)(1) of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/408">42 U.S.C. 408(e)(1)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> |
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<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc003caab-c8cb-462f-badc-2fbf77d187ea"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking <quote>or</quote> at the end;</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id766a690d-dfa7-47e3-861c-afad186463f7"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (C), by inserting <quote>or</quote> at the end;</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id92786a0a-92b0-4500-bf1d-9cf6a3804fbd"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:</text> |
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<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb3071314-482d-4c38-b549-5bd04284a496" style="OLC"> |
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<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida03eb270-eb6c-41af-9a91-ce9fc5d3d917"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">who is granted blue card status under section 101 of the <short-title>Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017</short-title>,</text> </subparagraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id88da84d3-a7c1-4f5b-a916-fa548af5d005"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the undesignated matter following subparagraph (D), as added by paragraph (3), by striking <quote>1990.</quote> and inserting <quote>1990, or in the case of an alien described in subparagraph (D), if such conduct is alleged to have occurred before the date on which the alien was granted blue card status under section 101(a) of the <short-title>Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017</short-title>.</quote>.</text> |
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</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8dfe0663-e058-4f4e-8606-3d3540838fc2"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effective |
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date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text> |
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</subsection></section></title><title id="id78937B4D86A34A31960D172633E702E4" style="OLC"><enum>III</enum><header>Definitions</header> |
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<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id06F326F4F7294AA3B3342375896BD36F"><enum>301.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this Act:</text> <paragraph id="idcb788ca82cd84d7880de2eeb2aa7d63e"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Agricultural employment</header><text>The term <term>agricultural employment</term> has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/1802">29 U.S.C. 1802</external-xref>), without regard to whether the specific service or activity is temporary or seasonal.</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph id="id5abf6d2a911540f6979b72da84b92fed"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Blue card status</header><text>The term <term>blue card status</term> means the status of an alien who has been lawfully admitted into the United States for temporary residence under section 101.</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph id="id945b230ebc5e4eaa9ca6fc04678961f5"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Child</header><text>The term <term>child</term> has the meaning given such term in section 101(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(1)</external-xref>).</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph id="idb5ecf482788b4e8bbe2009d2d8124a53"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Continuous presence</header><text>An alien shall be deemed to have maintained <term>continuous presence</term> in the United States for purposes of section 101(a)(1)(B)(iii) if any absences from the United States during the applicable period were brief, casual, and innocent, whether or not such absences were authorized by the Secretary.</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph id="idF3158468806D4E2BB92BDF7B958118DA"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Employer</header><text>The term <term>employer</term> means any person or entity, including any farm labor contractor and any agricultural association, that employs workers in agricultural employment.</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph id="id0bfa920795124caba73c18cc899aeca9"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Qualified designated entity</header><text>The term <term>qualified designated entity</term> means—</text> <subparagraph id="ide5d05a8e13264263baad9fb1bded1dbf"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a qualified farm labor organization or an association of employers designated by the Secretary; or</text> |
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</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id747ebafb4e56443580a34d4df1c235c3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any other entity that the Secretary designates as having substantial experience, demonstrated competence, and a history of long-term involvement in the preparation and submission of application for adjustment of status under title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1151">8 U.S.C. 1151</external-xref> et seq.).</text> |
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</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id0d8d5c333ed64af4ae0760da0ebc3459"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Qualified work</header><text>The term <term>qualified work</term> means work performed in agricultural employment in the United States for not fewer than 575 hours or 100 work days during the 2-year period ending on the date of the enactment of this Act.</text> |
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</paragraph><paragraph id="ida5c07e367ea44c7fa811c83cdf495df5"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Homeland Security.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id8f67a1c9efc143e5a870e9d74532817e"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Work day</header><text>The term <term>work day</term> means any day in which the individual is employed 5.75 or more hours in agricultural employment.</text> |
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</paragraph></section></title></legis-body> |
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</bill> |
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