Representative Chaffetz (R-UT) introduced H.R. 3012, the Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act, to the House Judiciary Committee. The legislation proposes to eliminate per-country caps for employment-based immigrants and increases the per-country caps for family-based immigrants. Representative Schumer (D-NY) introduced S. 1618, SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act of 2011. The bill proposes to extend the exceptions which allow refugees and asylees to qualify for federal benefits. The bill also proposes a $25 petition fee for the Diversity Visa program. Representative Berman (D-CA) introduced H.R. 3017, the Agricultural Labor Market Reform Act of 2011. The bill proposes to allow certain agricultural workers under H-2A status a pathway to lawful permanent resident status. The legislation suggests the creation of a “blue card” which agricultural workers who have performed at least 863 hours or 150 work days or earned at least $7,500 may apply. The blue card would allow for travel and employment authorization. The program would last 6 years and be limited to 1,000,000 blue cards. A blue card holder would be eligible to apply for lawful permanent resident status if the alien performs 100 work days of agricultural employment for at least five years or 150 work days of agricultural employment for three years. Adjustment of status would also require the payment of a $400 fine and proof of payment of taxes. The bill would exempt blue card holders from numerical visa limitations and certain grounds of inadmissibility. The bill would stay any removal proceedings. The bill would require mandatory use of E-Verify by farm labor contractors and prohibit the employment of illegal aliens. Fees from the bill would go to an agricultural labor trust fund dedicated to studying agricultural labor practices and management. Sixty-nine members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano applauding the August 18, 2011 announcement on enforcement priorities and asking that DHS consider LGBT families as a factor in the granting of prosecutorial discretion. Related Links Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act of 2011 Agricultural Labor Market Reform Act of 2011
