Senator Patrick Leahy on H.R. 2215

Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2002 8:50 AM

H-1B and JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER

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Leahy explained a part of the newly approved H.R. 2215 bill that is one of
the oddest pieces of legislation I have seen for quite awhile: if an H-1B
dies this bill allows his/her children to become citizens. Until this bill
was passed H-1B has never allowed the children of H-1Bs to have a right to
citizenship. H-1B is supposed to be a temporary worker visa and has no
provisions for families to immigrate to the U.S. Obviously that just changed
with H.R. 2215.

http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200209/093002.html

Finally, the conference report includes several important immigration
provisions that will help underserved and rural areas with a critical
shortage of medical doctors by allowing foreign doctors who are educated in
the United States to remain here if they will practice in underserved areas.
The legislation would extend H-1B status for certain working aliens, and
make it possible for children whose sponsoring parent has died to apply for
citizenship nonetheless. These are all non-controversial provisions to help
not just certain immigrants, but important parts of our country.

IMPROVING IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES

J-1 Visa Waiver: Includes reauthorization of the J-1 visa waiver program,
which allows foreign doctors who are educated in the United States to remain
here if they will practice in underserved areas. The language is similar to
S. 2674, introduced by Senators Conrad and Brownback.

H-1B Visas: Allows extension of H-1B status for aliens who file a labor
certification more than 365 days before the end of their sixth year, due to
the lengthy processing times at the Department of Labor.

Help to Children: Authorizes naturalization on behalf of a child by the
child's grandparent or legal guardian, if the parent who otherwise would be
authorized to submit such application is deceased.

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