Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008

The National Immigration Forum promotes immigration policy that will foster comprehensive solutions to the U.S. immigration crisis. In addition to general education on immigration matters, during the fourth quarter of 2008, Forum staff participated in the promotion of several legislative proposals relating to emergency relief from removal of deportation, improvement in immigration detention standards, immigrant detainee medical conditions, visa reforms for family and employment based petitions, and addressed various immigration concerns as they were raised during House or Senate debate. More specifically, the Forum worked on issues relating to the following bills: H.R. 4088/S. 2366/S. 2368 Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act provides for expanded border and interior enforcement of immigration laws and requires mandatory use of electronic employment verification system. The National Immigration Forum opposed this bill. H.R. 5570 To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to the special immigrant non-minister religious worker program, and for other purposes. See S.3606, which became Public Law 110-391 on 10/10/2008. The National Immigration Forum supported this bill in conjunction with other efforts to extend critical immigration programs set to expire on Sept 30, 2008. S. 3114 The Secure and Safe Detention and Asylum Act provides for improved and more generous standards in detention, particularly for individuals seeking asylum. The National Immigration Forum supported this bill. H.R. 5882/S. 3514 To recapture employment-based immigrant visas lost to bureaucratic delays and to prevent losses of family- and employment-based immigrant visas in the future. The National Immigration Forum supported this bill. H.R. 5921 To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the per country level for employment-based immigrants and to end the spill-over of unused immigrant visa numbers between employment-based and family-sponsored The National Immigration Forum supported this bill. H.R. 6020 Lance Corporal Jose Gutierrez Act of 2008 provides for exemptions and streamlined procedures for families of military personnel. The National Immigration Forum supported this bill. H.R. 5950 Detainee Basic Medical Care Act of 2008 expands requirements and procedures for medical care provided to detainees of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The National Immigration Forum supported this bill. H.R. 6617 /S. 3334 Strengthening Communities through Education and Integration Act of 2008 provides innovative solutions for immigrant integration, including expansion of programs for English as a Second Language programs. The National Immigration Forum supported this bill. S. 3594 The Protect Citizens and Residents from Unlawful Raids and Detention Act restores and preserves basic due process rights for U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and workers involved in labor disputes, who are the victims of immigration raids. The National immigration Forum supported this bill. H.R.7255 Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act provides for alternatives to immigration detention and improved detention standards for immigration detainees. The National Immigration Forum supported this bill. H.R.2638 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. The National Immigration Forum supported provisions of this resolution covering extensions of immigration programs set to expire at end of fiscal year, including E-verify program. The Forum did not support provisions to further increase ICE budget for detention programs or expansion of E-verify program.

Client expense: $50,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

See attached. H.R. 5642 BY Smith, Lamar - the SUSTAIN Act, (Provisions would raise the H-1B visa cap to 195,000 in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 only) H.R. 5630 BY Giffords, Gabrielle - the Innovation Employment Act, (Provisions relating to increasing the annual number of H-1B visas from 65,000 to 130,000 and prohibit employers from advertising jobs in a manner that indicates the jobs are only available to H-1B guest workers or that H-1B workers are preferred) H.R. 5570 BY Lofgren, Zoe - Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008 (Provisions which extends the soon-to-expire R-1 religious worker visa program for an additional 7 years) H.R.5140 BY Pelosi, Nancy - Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (Provisions relating to questions about whether illegal aliens would receive rebate checks under the bill.) H.R. 5060 BY Sanchez, Linda - To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow athletes admitted as nonimmigrants described in section 101(a)(15)(P) of such Act to renew their period of authorized admission in 5-year increments (Provisions which permits foreign professional athletes to apply for an extension of their visas every five years, rather than requiring them to attain permanent residence after 10 years) H.R.4987 BY Jones, Walter, Jr - The Fence by Date Certain Act (Provisions to rewrite language to provide for the construction of two-layered fencing over 700 miles of the southwest border.) H.R.4960 BY Marshall, Jim - Immigration Law corrections Act of 2008 (Provisions to delete language from the FY08 Omnibus Appropriations Bill that grants Homeland Security discretion not to build fencing in a location if the Secretary determines that fencing is not the most appropriate means to achieve and maintain operational control over the border at such location.) H.R.4088 BY Shuler, Heath - Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act of 2007, SAVE Act. (Provisions relating to immigration enforcement) S. 2710 BY Senator Sessions, Jeff - A bill to authorize the Department of Homeland Security to use an employer's failure to timely resolve discrepancies with the Social Security Administration after receiving a "no match" notice as evidence that the employer violated section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act. (Provisions that would authorize Homeland Security to use an employer's failure to resolve a "no match" notice as evidence that the employer knowingly hired an illegal alien in violation of federal law (INA 274A(a)) S. 2711 BY Senator Sessions, Jeff - A bill to improve the enforcement of laws prohibiting the employment of unauthorized aliens and for other purposes. (Provisions that requires employers to use E-Verify and raises the penalties on employers who hire illegal aliens) S. 2712 BY Senator Jim DeMint - A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to complete at least 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the Southwest border by December 31, 2010, and for other purposes. (Provisions that mandate Homeland Security complete the 700 miles of fence required by the Secure Fence Act by 2010) S. 2713 BY Senator Vitter, David - A bill to prohibit appropriated funds from being used in contravention of section 642(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. (Provisions that prohibits federal community policing funds from being distributed to states and municipalities with sanctuary policies) S. 2716 BY Senator Domenici, Pete - A bill to authorize the National Guard to provide support for the border control activities of the United States Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. (Provisions that authorizes the National Guard to continue guarding the border) S. 2717 BY Senator Chambliss , Saxby - A bill to provide for enhanced Federal enforcement of, and State and local assistance in the enforcement of, the immigration laws of the United States, and for other purposes. (Provisions relating to expanding the participation of state and local officials in the enforcement of immigration laws through the 287(g) program) S. 2720 BY Senator Specter, Arlen - A bill to withhold Federal financial assistance from each country that denies or unreasonably delays the acceptance of nationals of such country who have been ordered removed from the United States and to prohibit the issuance of visas to nationals of such country. (Provisions relating to denial of financial aid to countries and prohibits the issuance of visas to nationals of countries that unreasonably delay or deny repatriation of those ordered removed by the U.S.) S. 2721 BY Senator Alexander, Lamar - A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to prescribe the binding oath or affirmation of renunciation and allegiance required to be naturalized as a citizen of the United States, to encourage and support the efforts of prospective citizens of the United States to become citizens, and for other purposes. (Provisions that modifies the U.S. citizenship examination) S. 2722 BY Senator Dole, Elizabeth - A bill to prohibit aliens who are repeat drunk drivers from obtaining legal status or immigration benefits. (Provisions that prohibits aliens who are repeat drunk drivers from receiving legal status or immigration benefits)

HR 5570. The Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008. A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to the special immigrant nonminister religious worker program, and for other purposes. With other members of an informal coalition of religious organizations, lobbied for its passage in the Senate. Then lobbied for introduction and passage of S 3257. Legal Immigration Extension Act of 2008. A bill to extend immigration programs to promote legal immigration and for other purposes. Finally, lobbied for introduction and passage of S 3606. Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious Worker Program Act. A bill to extend the special immigrant nonminister religous worker program.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $30,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

HR. 2608 SSI HR. 5570 Religious Workers S. 821 SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act Immigration and Refugee Matters Regugee Funding for FY09 Appropriations

Client expense: $18,340 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS)

HR 5570. The Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008. A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to the special immigrant nonminister religious worker program, and for other purposes. With other members of an informal coalition of religious organizations, lobbied for its passage in both chambers.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $30,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

HR 4088/S 2368 - SAVE Act Immigration and Refugee Matters HR 5690 - Material Support HR 5570 - Religious Workers HR 2608 - SSI Extension for Elderly & Disabled Refugees Act HR 2608 - SSI Senate Amendment FY 08/09 Supplemental Appropriations Bill HR1176 - Child Citizen Protection Act HR 5882 - Recapture Visas Act HR 2593 - Borderland Conservation Act Refugee Admissions Detainee Basic Medical Care Act of 2008 Strengthening Communities - English & Integration Act

Client expense: $18,887 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS)

S. 774 DREAM Act HR 1275 DREAM Act S. 1651 Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act S. 821 SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act HR 26008 SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act Immigration and Refugee Matters HR 4088 the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act S. 2368 SAVE Act HR 5515 New Employee Verification Act Material Support HR 5570 Religious Workers

Client expense: $18,669 · Firm income: Not reported

See attached H.R. 1512 by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) A bill introduced to increase the scope of the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP). (Provisions under SCAAP, states and localities can apply for and receive federal payments when they incur certain costs for incarcerating undocumented criminal aliens) HR2642 by Chet Edwards Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2008 (Provisions relating to amnesty, AgJobs, reinstating the returning worker exemption to the H-2B, non-agricultural, guest worker program, increases the number of employment-based green cards available for multinational executives and "high-tech" workers. ) H.R. 4080 by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) A bill sponsored to create a new category of temporary worker visas for fashion models. (Provisions that would allow up to 1,000 fashion models to enter the country temporarily under a new P-4 non-immigrant worker visa category) H.R.4088 BY Shuler, Heath - Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act of 2007, SAVE Act. (Provisions relating to immigration enforcement) H.R.4987 BY Jones, Walter, Jr - The Fence by Date Certain Act (Provisions to rewrite language to provide for the construction of two-layered fencing over 700 miles of the southwest border.) H.R. 5515 BY Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX) New Employee Verification Act of 2008 (Provisions relating to New Employee Verification Act (NEEVA)) H.R. 5570 BY Lofgren, Zoe - Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008 (Provisions which extends the soon-to-expire R-1 religious worker visa program for an additional 7 years) H.R. 5642 BY Smith, Lamar - the SUSTAIN Act, (Provisions would raise the H-1B visa cap to 195,000 in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 only) H.R.5761 By Castle, Michael A bill to withhold Federal financial assistance from each country that denies or unreasonably delays the acceptance of nationals of such country who have been ordered removed from the United States and to prohibit the issuance of visas to nationals of such country. (Provisions that amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prohibit funds from being dispersed to a country that denies or unreasonably delays the acceptance of its citizens, nationals, or residents who have been ordered removed under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) from the United States.) H.R.5948 BY Lampson, Nick To amend section 274 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase penalties for unlawfully bringing in and harboring aliens with prior felony convictions under Federal law. (All provisions) H.R. 5950 by Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) - The Detainee Basic Medical Care Act of 2008. (Provisions that requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish procedures for the timely and effective delivery of medical and mental health care to all immigration detainees.) H.R. 6020 by Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to protect the well-being of soldiers and their families, and for other purposes. (Provisions granting amnesty and expedited citizenship for aliens serving in the U.S. military and their families) S. 2711 BY Senator Sessions, Jeff - A bill to improve the enforcement of laws prohibiting the employment of unauthorized aliens and for other purposes. (Provisions that requires employers to use E-Verify and raises the penalties on employers who hire illegal aliens) S. 2712 BY Senator Jim DeMint - A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to complete at least 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the Southwest border by December 31, 2010, and for other purposes. (Provisions that mandate Homeland Security complete the 700 miles of fence required by the Secure Fence Act by 2010) S. 2720 BY Senator Specter, Arlen - A bill to withhold Federal financial assistance from each country that denies or unreasonably delays the acceptance of nationals of such country who have been ordered removed from the United States and to prohibit the issuance of visas to nationals of such country. (Provisions relating to denial of financial aid to countries and prohibits the issuance of visas to nationals of countries that unreasonably delay or deny repatriation of those ordered removed by the U.S.)

Worked with other members of an informal coalition of religious organizations to send a group letter that urged Congress to permanently extend the Religious Worker Visa Program (R-1), which was originally established in the Immigration Act of 1990 and is set to expire later this year. HR 5570, the Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008, was then introduced. With other coalition members, expressed concerns about proposed amendments in committee that might limit the program's usefulness.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $30,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

See attached. H.R. 5642 BY Smith, Lamar - the SUSTAIN Act, (Provisions would raise the H-1B visa cap to 195,000 in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 only) H.R. 5630 BY Giffords, Gabrielle - the Innovation Employment Act, (Provisions relating to increasing the annual number of H-1B visas from 65,000 to 130,000 and prohibit employers from advertising jobs in a manner that indicates the jobs are only available to H-1B guest workers or that H-1B workers are preferred) H.R. 5570 BY Lofgren, Zoe - Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008 (Provisions which extends the soon-to-expire R-1 religious worker visa program for an additional 7 years) H.R.5140 BY Pelosi, Nancy - Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (Provisions relating to questions about whether illegal aliens would receive rebate checks under the bill.) H.R. 5060 BY Sanchez, Linda - To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow athletes admitted as nonimmigrants described in section 101(a)(15)(P) of such Act to renew their period of authorized admission in 5-year increments (Provisions which permits foreign professional athletes to apply for an extension of their visas every five years, rather than requiring them to attain permanent residence after 10 years) H.R.4987 BY Jones, Walter, Jr - The Fence by Date Certain Act (Provisions to rewrite language to provide for the construction of two-layered fencing over 700 miles of the southwest border.) H.R.4960 BY Marshall, Jim - Immigration Law corrections Act of 2008 (Provisions to delete language from the FY08 Omnibus Appropriations Bill that grants Homeland Security discretion not to build fencing in a location if the Secretary determines that fencing is not the most appropriate means to achieve and maintain operational control over the border at such location.) H.R.4088 BY Shuler, Heath - Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement Act of 2007, SAVE Act. (Provisions relating to immigration enforcement) S. 2710 BY Senator Sessions, Jeff - A bill to authorize the Department of Homeland Security to use an employer's failure to timely resolve discrepancies with the Social Security Administration after receiving a "no match" notice as evidence that the employer violated section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act. (Provisions that would authorize Homeland Security to use an employer's failure to resolve a "no match" notice as evidence that the employer knowingly hired an illegal alien in violation of federal law (INA 274A(a)) S. 2711 BY Senator Sessions, Jeff - A bill to improve the enforcement of laws prohibiting the employment of unauthorized aliens and for other purposes. (Provisions that requires employers to use E-Verify and raises the penalties on employers who hire illegal aliens) S. 2712 BY Senator Jim DeMint - A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to complete at least 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the Southwest border by December 31, 2010, and for other purposes. (Provisions that mandate Homeland Security complete the 700 miles of fence required by the Secure Fence Act by 2010) S. 2713 BY Senator Vitter, David - A bill to prohibit appropriated funds from being used in contravention of section 642(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. (Provisions that prohibits federal community policing funds from being distributed to states and municipalities with sanctuary policies) S. 2716 BY Senator Domenici, Pete - A bill to authorize the National Guard to provide support for the border control activities of the United States Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. (Provisions that authorizes the National Guard to continue guarding the border) S. 2717 BY Senator Chambliss , Saxby - A bill to provide for enhanced Federal enforcement of, and State and local assistance in the enforcement of, the immigration laws of the United States, and for other purposes. (Provisions relating to expanding the participation of state and local officials in the enforcement of immigration laws through the 287(g) program) S. 2720 BY Senator Specter, Arlen - A bill to withhold Federal financial assistance from each country that denies or unreasonably delays the acceptance of nationals of such country who have been ordered removed from the United States and to prohibit the issuance of visas to nationals of such country. (Provisions relating to denial of financial aid to countries and prohibits the issuance of visas to nationals of countries that unreasonably delay or deny repatriation of those ordered removed by the U.S.) S. 2721 BY Senator Alexander, Lamar - A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to prescribe the binding oath or affirmation of renunciation and allegiance required to be naturalized as a citizen of the United States, to encourage and support the efforts of prospective citizens of the United States to become citizens, and for other purposes. (Provisions that modifies the U.S. citizenship examination) S. 2722 BY Senator Dole, Elizabeth - A bill to prohibit aliens who are repeat drunk drivers from obtaining legal status or immigration benefits. (Provisions that prohibits aliens who are repeat drunk drivers from receiving legal status or immigration benefits)