89 S4546 IS: American System for Sustainable Immigration and Mass Immigration Limitations Achieved Through Imposing Oversight Nationally Act
U.S. Senate
2026-05-14
text/xml
EN
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.
1.Short titles; table of contents(a)This Act may be cited as the American System for Sustainable Immigration and Mass Immigration Limitations Achieved Through Imposing Oversight Nationally Act
or the ASSIMILATION Act
.(b)Sec. 1. Short titles; table of contents.TITLE I—Findings, purposes, definitions, and standardsSec. 101. Findings.Sec. 102. Purposes.Sec. 103. Definitions.Sec. 104. National interest standard.TITLE II—Immigrant and nonimmigrant classificationsSec. 201. Family-sponsored immigration reform.Sec. 202. Elimination of diversity immigrant category.Sec. 203. Employment-based immigration.Sec. 204. H–1B reforms.Sec. 205. Optional practical training.Sec. 206. Per-country limitations.TITLE III—Admission, inadmissibility, sponsorship, and administrative authoritySec. 301. Public charge.Sec. 302. Affidavits of support and sponsor financial requirements.Sec. 303. Visa overstays.Sec. 304. Parole.Sec. 305. Limitations on enforcement discretion.TITLE IV—Naturalization and citizenshipSec. 401. Good moral character.Sec. 402. Naturalization.Sec. 403. Documentation of citizenship at birth.TITLE V—Asylum, inspection, detention, and unaccompanied alien childrenSec. 501. Asylum.Sec. 502. Credible fear and expedited removal.Sec. 503. Family detention.Sec. 504. Unaccompanied alien children.TITLE VI—Employment eligibility verification and labor protectionsSec. 601. Employment eligibility verification.Sec. 602. H–2a wage methodology.TITLE VII—Conforming amendments; reports; effective dates; applicability; severabilitySec. 701. Reports.Sec. 702. Effective dates.Sec. 703. Applicability and transition provisions.Sec. 704. Severability.<enum>I</enum><header>Findings, purposes, definitions, and standards</header><section id="idb59225a58da24c9a9d2aca73cfb66ece"><enum>101.</enum><header>Findings</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Congress finds the following:</text><paragraph id="id6c59f4c348a746c8976d1ce8bf7d429e"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/89/236">Public Law 89–236</external-xref>; commonly known as the <quote>Hart-Celler Act</quote>), fundamentally changed the United States immigration system by replacing the national origins quota system with a preference system giving priority to extended family-based immigration rather than basing the admission of immigrants on serving the national interest.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idec6a6fb0a3c24373a4c33a20cd09d39c"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The immigration system established by the Hart-Celler Act has—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id186af1e9c7b94d1c843f2bd20f14f0ff"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">produced consequences that differ substantially from the goals described by the Act's original proponents, including—</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id13a57be581cf481a8a05fd40c4fb1e00"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">unprecedented levels of chain migration;</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id49efb50f48144add93880de720e28448"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the creation of the diversity visa lottery under section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1153">8 U.S.C. 1153(c)</external-xref>); and</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfd5584a3bd6349fb9d5fe1763fc14836"> <enum>(iii)</enum> <text display-inline="yes-display-inline">dramatic increases in overall immigration levels;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id13d7fd54a78b4c5c9b2544d92e733693"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">placed strain on public resources;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd6b8f17ab07d48b5968daffa7762721a"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">suppressed wages and decreased labor-market opportunities for United States workers; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2c915bf3d64041cb8f4b40faeb474be4"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">tested the ability of the people of the United States to promote assimilation and social cohesion.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id0b8c2737a61445b18eb33e5bea0d7c12"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Given that immigration to the United States is not an entitlement, Congress has plenary authority to establish immigration policy that will serve the economic, cultural, and national security interests of the United States.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idda641ec175ff40dfb190cc982f732ca8"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.</external-xref>) employs the concept of the national interest in multiple contexts, including employment-based immigration, but does not provide a generally applicable statutory standard for national-interest determinations made for employment-selection purposes.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idfebc62d2032d49579ad8c880fcc4b0bf"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Clear definitions and evidentiary rules promote transparency, consistency, and faithful administration of Federal immigration laws.</text></paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3da2bab3a6c443b4882f7b3f006c8f5f"><enum>102.</enum><header>Purposes</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The purposes of this Act are—</text><paragraph id="id4144a383ff054713906d9820b34756ab"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to ensure immigration policy advances the national interest by establishing a universal national interest standard under which each visa issuance, admission, and adjustment of status affirmatively furthers the economic prosperity, cultural cohesion, and national security of the United States, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security under the criteria set forth in this Act; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id86ab79c905524c7bb2cabed73e137221"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to revise and repeal the central framework established by the Hart-Celler Act by replacing family-chain and lottery-based admissions with a merit-based system that prioritizes economic self-sufficiency, cultural assimilation, and the protection of United States workers.</text></paragraph></section><section id="idc5eb85d3fd674af3833e7bd6497b8717"><enum>103.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101(a)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id66d03778f7e249db8908f5cfab9105f8"><paragraph id="id0f9f47690ea94a69b365f3623141cc23" commented="no" indent="up1"><enum>(54)</enum><text>The term <term>means-tested public benefit</term>—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcbf6f007229344938d0f48c2d9681e0d"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">means a cash, medical, housing, nutrition, or other similar public benefit for which eligibility, amount, or duration is conditioned, in whole or in part, on income, resources, or financial need; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id407f94830b314f5193afff9137d6e148"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">does not include—</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9de0398a64554ec6a351515c1fcc16aa"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">emergency medical assistance;</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id764dde2bec74419d8b5b545e046ee0bf"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">short-term, non-cash, in-kind emergency disaster relief;</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5bb445d7294c47c1a82c5df5708af72d"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">public health assistance for immunizations or for the testing or treatment of symptoms of a communicable disease;</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb08817897f244115bc8cb48b9863bdae"><enum>(iv)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">assistance or benefits under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1751">42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.</external-xref>) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1771">42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.</external-xref>);</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idce6e11c64e1843618c1e06f6e6bf700f"><enum>(v)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">foster care or adoption assistance for which an exception is provided under Federal law; or</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb256dfd541ba4376b87cf97555675440"><enum>(vi)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in-kind community-level services necessary for the protection of life or safety, as designated by regulation after consultation with appropriate Federal agencies.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" indent="up1" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id350a57aa675c4c5d96fd5c043a99b234"><enum>(55)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>National Interest Occupation</term> means an occupation so designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security pursuant to section 203(b)(4).</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" indent="up1" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id81cbaecdf13d4b25b4686bda6b5c735a"><enum>(56)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>objective evidence</term>—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcb27282d068c4f65bcf32e722e305f13"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">means independently verifiable evidence, including official records, government data, audited records, binding instruments, contemporaneous business records, or other reliable documentation; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id34e1aa90e04e45009b085de229e8443a"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">does not include unsupported assertions, self-serving statements standing alone, or speculative projections.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section><section id="idd85a2884d3294be2a6f735cdc288db22"><enum>104.</enum><header>National interest standard</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6e9997cecff54f53885bd9226ed923f7"><subsection id="idc5e64eb4334341e0a4491cc27ffa72ce"><enum>(j)</enum><header>National interest standard</header><paragraph id="id1a38eb2e35cd4606862ee75cd83163f0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Application</header><text>This subsection shall only apply to provisions of this Act that expressly reference this subsection.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id8d1de988826143a580218d6516264d40"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Standard</header><text>An alien’s admission, classification, employment, or proposed endeavor shall be deemed to be in the national interest only if such alien establishes, by a preponderance of objective evidence, that such admission, classification, employment, or proposed endeavor is expected to produce a material prospective public benefit for the United States.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ided735ba0bac145c7a963705969eee79a"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Public benefit</header><text>A material prospective public benefit referred to in paragraph (2) may include a significant benefit to the economic, cultural, educational, scientific, technological, health, foreign-policy, or security interests of the United States.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id1ea84ca1f05347aaaf29a5df9d0a963a"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Limitations</header><text>A determination under paragraph (2) or (3) may not be based solely on—</text><subparagraph id="id6b04bc9dcf29411898e76eaf2b9f6b45"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the private interest of the alien or of a petitioning employer;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id875d4ea359fe47afa6315b817a03a5a6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>unsupported testimonial assertions or generalized advocacy;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8d655c51935949a39c50dc5e07f81d6d"><enum>(C)</enum><text>speculative, remote, or incidental benefits; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="iddce9cd2d008d4c53b31b741c2bb78998"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a factor that a more specific provision of this Act makes legally insufficient for the benefit sought.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id7f32aff2398a41b0bdb159471b6fad2b"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Rules of construction</header><text>Nothing in this subsection may be construed—</text><subparagraph id="id88be5b50329745edb3983c4727c4f255"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to alter the burden of proof required under section 291;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id21f2430d43fb49c493e028c8741bf260"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to displace a more specific statutory criterion, evidentiary requirement, limitation, or bar under this Act;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idfc259dd90cc24e6a80b722120034fe6b"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to govern any use of the term <quote>national interest</quote> in this Act unless the relevant provision expressly references this subsection; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id209e3493f81449edb9dcb1951b8387e6"><enum>(D)</enum><text>to apply to section 103(a)(1).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section><enum>II</enum><header>Immigrant and nonimmigrant classifications</header><section id="id46d18ad51ce140e386135287687b0987"><enum>201.</enum><header>Family-sponsored immigration reform</header><subsection id="id0f92ee5343ea40a4a066edd36e6d9c48"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Immediate relative redefined</header><text>Section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1151">8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i)</external-xref>) is amended, in the first sentence, by striking <quote>children, spouses, and parents</quote> and all that follows through <quote>21 years of age</quote> and inserting <quote>spouses and unmarried children under 18 years of age of a citizen of the United States</quote>.</text></subsection><subsection id="idd1f5cc00c24341e19cbc7451f6928551"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Modification of family-Sponsored preference classification</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6d8a678623ea43e9aa924541a06f48ed"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (a) of section 203 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1153">8 U.S.C. 1153</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf8232cc7071b48c293bb076f61798f11"><subsection id="iddd9879e39c3f4ffea71ed2ebec5e35f1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents</header><text>Visas shall be made available, subject to section 201(c), to qualified immigrants who are the spouses or children under 18 years of age of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="id785b56a22d1a4a1182e9f3f0f3f91615"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants</header><text>Section 201(c) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1151">8 U.S.C. 1151(c)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><subparagraph id="idd9b0643c7bee43d5b2a179e066d29e78"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5cfc1cdc73304fe0acb12f4e1058eb36"><subparagraph id="idb81ad15d3bac466692da0966a28cc5ee"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants under this subsection for a fiscal year is equal to—</text><clause id="ide7b4974a1865488f91ac42f9dfe36cfc"> <enum>(i)</enum> <text>88,000; reduced by</text>
</clause><clause id="iddcf6550106df46e6a6eeab53fd8a3096"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the number computed under paragraph (2).</text></clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7d346ff544274beeb38bd82ead1a758c"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking paragraphs (2), (3), and (5); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd0f2c273a80d4fc6894983d8c80dcb81"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (2).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id37f3b193ea9a42b0ac7c274b2799ab44"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Nonimmigrant classification for parents of United States citizens</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0752debf74ff4560a189ee062f8abb33"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 101(a)(15) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddb552a48751a48f3928e85e7486a296c"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (T)(ii)(III), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id585d78f49675416b9744ace7fb974a15"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subparagraph (U)(iii), by striking <quote>; or</quote> and inserting a semicolon;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbc9d85ab49a7403984d89fc9fa604418"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in subparagraph (V)(ii)(II), by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; or</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida9a7ffa98dc64506b0bd6b5c80cf1a4e"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id495aeb22d4d444b7acdc405534755471"><subparagraph id="id0f56e686828a473b80984650bb0c06a3"><enum>(W)</enum><text>subject to section 214(s), an alien who is the parent of a citizen of the United States, if such citizen has attained 21 years of age.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ida46a3e5621e14a568e126baa853aedb0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conditions for admission</header><text>Section 214 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1184">8 U.S.C. 1184</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block id="id35b5e327269d4af685e0b89048ad8548" display-inline="no-display-inline" style="OLC"><subsection id="id550d9446ea5b4ceabccabf3663f71f5c"><enum>(s)</enum><header>Parents of citizens of the United States</header><paragraph id="id7e61399bfa7142b291819d42c6cce926"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Period of admission</header><text>The initial period of admission for an alien admitted as a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(W) shall be 5 years.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idc93ec2cc231e47b78204c20db85bdc0c"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Extension</header><text>Such period may be extended only if the United States citizen sponsor resides in the United States.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id54b701af07844802a651c59bc305b14c"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Ineligibility for employment and public benefits</header><text>An alien admitted pursuant to a visa for a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(W) shall be ineligible for employment and ineligible for any Federal, State, or local public benefit.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idfa8a9dc6250b49d087153ea95a76ef1c"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Financial responsibility</header><text>The United States citizen sponsor shall be financially responsible for the support of such alien.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id6f4f16384c6142dca8e6e62ed28e9e3b"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Health insurance</header><text>Admission as a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(W) shall require proof of health insurance coverage that does not impose any cost on the alien or on a Federal, State, or local government.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idf3c1ddbb49da47bebeb5bed4aed0ceb8" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(6)</enum><header>No immigrant status created</header><text>Admission as a nonimmigrant described section 101(a)(15)(W) shall not be construed to confer eligibility for immigrant classification or adjustment of status except as otherwise expressly provided by law.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idc058d1badccc40869ef6ce39fd4b5555"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Technical and conforming amendments</header><text>The Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="ida06ad48e3ce34960b78e5c9cc68c6cb5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in section 101(a)(15)(V) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(V)</external-xref>), by striking <quote>section 203(a)(2)(A)</quote> each place such term appears and inserting <quote>section 203(a)</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7ce4421511154e14bc248f7e5ddc6472"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in section 201(f) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1151">8 U.S.C. 1151(f)</external-xref>)—</text><subparagraph id="idad9f794cac764fcca6890efa105748b6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking <quote>the age requirement in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) of section 101(b)(1)</quote> and inserting <quote>the age requirement applicable to classification under such subsection</quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id13c1ed32ec074588b7a81015651f2065"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (2), by striking <quote>section 203(a)(2)(A)</quote> and inserting <quote>section 203(a)</quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8796b0b593e343e9868baf1425916cd1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by striking paragraph (3);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8c4bd7b6428b4c638b6c0aae73324a21"><enum>(D)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id232ea192e4dd4c198a13e22267bf400b" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(E)</enum><text>in paragraph (3), as redesignated, by striking <quote>(1) through (3)</quote> and inserting <quote>(1) and (2)</quote>;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idecc051cb52124bdeb10cfce866e2828e"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in section 203(h), by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id67d0927245994bb6886aee1ac30c7b13"><paragraph id="ida7daa11588f64ab5990d977ba98b07dc"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Petition described</header><text>The petition described in this paragraph is, with respect to an alien child who is a derivative beneficiary under subsection (d), a petition filed under section 204 for classification of the alien's parent under subsection (a) or (b).</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id89bf5a61266d44f88ca8f1a6bb460361"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in section 204 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1154">8 U.S.C. 1154</external-xref>)—</text><subparagraph id="idaf92319c8bee43f4a33c898b849ffee3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (a)—</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9f54952b290641899958c91687166fe2"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (1)—</text><subclause id="idcc324379008d456691771e74ac7f82ee"><enum>(I)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A)—</text><item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8a69c06e58704d1892fd1db998109c9b"><enum>(aa)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in clause (i), by striking <quote>paragraph (1), (3), or (4) of</quote>; and</text></item><item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id580bfe44d0d643b7b6b45b1b8e732550"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>by striking clause (vii);</text></item></subclause><subclause id="id9f484ebda3f040c4b60095a696ed55bd"><enum>(II)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B)—</text><item id="id20a4cea377f543ceb3f4959b0815c4c3"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>in clause (i)—</text><subitem commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc0eefed1da7248a3aa62200f8a21a0b2"><enum>(AA)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by redesignating the second subclause (I) as subclause (II) and moving such subclause 4 ems to the left; and</text></subitem><subitem id="id11ce36facfaa4ba99e7e07854e6165ba"><enum>(BB)</enum><text>in subclause (I), by striking <quote>203(a)(2)</quote> and inserting <quote>203(a)</quote>; and</text></subitem></item><item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4de2cbe3e20342b8ae955ea3bb243e3e"><enum>(bb)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>203(a)(2)(A)</quote> each place such term appears and inserting <quote>203(a)</quote>; and</text></item></subclause><subclause id="id60bdddec2c6140ee8b64b68d196b2882"><enum>(III)</enum><text>in subparagraph (D)(i)(I)—</text><item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id891ec76aca8a4e0fbd9a6a12cdde2a7e"> <enum>(aa)</enum> <text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>21 years of age</quote> each place such term appears and inserting <quote>18 years of age</quote>; and</text>
</item><item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3d0c7a2749bf4d53830cd06569f70f86"><enum>(bb)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>a petitioner for preference status under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 203(a)</quote> and inserting <quote>an individual younger than 18 years of age for purposes of adjudicating such petition and for purposes of admission as an immediate relative under section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) or a family-sponsored immigrant under section 203(a), as applicable.</quote>; and</text></item></subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id69b9b0dae1e7497898e109cb30aab6ae"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (2)(A)—</text><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id25d2697b5dd348578aa44d3953c920a6"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking <quote>second preference</quote>; and</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id28aa0066f96348fea05d3d46dc016ec3"><enum>(II)</enum><text>in the matter at the end, by striking <quote>the term</quote> and all that follows through <quote>section 203(a)(2),</quote> and inserting <quote>the term <term>spousal petition</term> refers to a petition seeking classification under section 203(a)</quote>;</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idfe13d07880964931ae043bc279f42360"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (f)(1), by striking <quote>, 203(a)(1), or 203(a)(3), as appropriate</quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4df0f527916e4c8daf59f5f4eb8a7626"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by striking subsection (k); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4cb8d4fa584648d394df393181838ed6"><enum>(D)</enum><text>by redesignating subsection (l) as subsection (k);</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idf22ae41c600a43c1ad0731a106501beb"><enum>(5)</enum><text>in section 212 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182</external-xref>)—</text><subparagraph id="id74f9d579b1b44d2eb922b830ee5932d8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(6)(E)(ii), by striking <quote>section 203(a)(2)</quote> and inserting <quote>section 203(a)</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8c6dab4dd25d4313b3d2bebef7706895"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (d)(11), by striking <quote>(other than paragraph (4) thereof)</quote>;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id833ec33b24f942748f2d6403357ce4e9"><enum>(6)</enum><text>in section 213A(f)(5)(B)(ii) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1183a">8 U.S.C. 1183a(f)(5)(B)(ii)</external-xref>), by striking <quote>section 204(l)</quote> and inserting <quote>204(k)</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id133139102d7a4d24bc5dc95c35c1d48c"><enum>(7)</enum><text>in section 214(q)(1)(B)(i) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1184">8 U.S.C. 1184(q)(1)(B)(i)</external-xref>), by striking <quote>section 203(a)(2)(A)</quote> each place such term appears and inserting <quote>section 203(a)</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id909bf5c9e2ba4f2aaaa59cd3a43edccb"><enum>(8)</enum><text>in section 216(h)(1)(C) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1186a">8 U.S.C. 1186a(h)(1)(C)</external-xref>), by striking <quote>section 203(a)(2)</quote> and inserting <quote>section 203(a)</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idd85a19cd95664d5987d9c9031bb5af20" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(9)</enum><text>in section 237(a)(1)(E)(ii) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1227">8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(1)(E)(ii)</external-xref>), by striking <quote>section 203(a)(2)</quote> and inserting <quote>section 203(a)</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id24450f84f04d4cc7978a1db42d8d427b"><enum>202.</enum><header>Elimination of diversity immigrant category</header><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id77585ee638a14062abe99032fe3ed067"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text>The Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id86df35b2e580411c85dea43b709226aa"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in section 201 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1151">8 U.S.C. 1151</external-xref>)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idafe02856578a45449126794952cd36da"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subsection (a)—</text><clause id="idbf8e26dd853b46619242551559c48629"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking the semicolon and inserting <quote>; and</quote>;</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4d2464a497ad4103a6e5146a3605d507"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), by striking <quote>; and</quote> and inserting a period; and</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id634b867a16fd4e1e83e3b437acba9bf9"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking paragraph (3); and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6a5f0d6ecb3842b2a36363f4f3a2b17e"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking subsection (e); and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id739b4884de6c4752b927e2290d259cb9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in section 203 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1153">8 U.S.C. 1153(c)</external-xref>), by striking subsection (c).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id07a83830de3541e79c70ee6728151ee7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Technical and conforming amendments</header><text>The Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id95d39553599049e095c4fd551d0a3212"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in section 203 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1153">8 U.S.C. 1153</external-xref>)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf2d5c7a8c4d54e0ea11cbd87df2cae26"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (d), by striking <quote>under subsection (a), (b), or (c)</quote> and inserting <quote>under subsection (a) or (b)</quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id64b79e52f9a94ee7927a6c1c9feee744"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (e)—</text><clause id="id8c25a39ca7474427aa8e0c09307179e8"> <enum>(i)</enum> <text>by striking paragraph (2); and</text>
</clause><clause id="id299aa891da6e48a38ddb2a050f0360ec"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2);</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id83e3ae4f510e4b7c9122a595dba2036f"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in subsection (f), by striking <quote>or in subsection (a), (b), or (c)</quote> and inserting <quote>or in subsection (a) or (b)</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0c4ce36cec4d464db98dceb9e37c1fb1"><enum>(D)</enum><text>in subsection (g), by striking <quote>subsections (a), (b), and (c)</quote> and inserting <quote>subsections (a) and (b)</quote>; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ida2e60c0c75e540269323e2e5e4ab0815"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in section 204—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd41cdc340bd7410c8ba5fa2545dbf7dc"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (a)(1)—</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id024044912c96426faa177c4b2b0e95be"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking subparagraph (I); and</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8987464b26e7464e8d651a8bf9d4f73a"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by redesignating subparagraphs (J) and (K) as subparagraphs (I) and (J), respectively; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc9b7fb98e46648db80adcb9afe179f40"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subsection (e), by striking <quote>in behalf</quote> and all that follows through <quote>section 203</quote> and inserting <quote>on behalf of whom a petition under this section is approved, to be admitted to the United States as an immigrant under subsection (a) or (b) of section 203</quote>.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idde3b8c8893c44d8c881112a2c0d6339c" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Application</header><paragraph id="idaa467de2972748738700973d4e0f87e4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply only with respect to petitions and applications pending on, or filed on or after, the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id69e43f02db42489cb0e75db2be72a712"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Prior diversity visa selections</header><text>An alien selected before the date of the enactment of this Act for a diversity immigrant visa under section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as in effect on the day before such date of enactment, is not eligible, on or after that date, to receive a visa on the basis of that selection, and no petition or application based on that selection may be approved, and no immigrant visa may be issued to the alien on the basis of that selection, on or after that date.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idb2e64513a5ac49379dc79396c468c056"><enum>203.</enum><header>Employment-based immigration</header><subsection id="id3322803aa5ea4bde89ced0401edc1b16" commented="no"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Stabilizing the worldwide level of employment-Based immigrants</header><text>Section 201(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1151">8 U.S.C. 1151(d)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7591129901644d7ebc21c3893972b669"><subsection id="id6c1889bdf56046b18bbc796aae1d22dc" commented="no"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Worldwide level of employment-Based immigrants</header><text>The worldwide level of employment-based immigrants granted visas in each fiscal year pursuant to section 203(b) shall be not more than 140,000.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id46e21dba50374049a5a77fa2d60683ae"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Allocation of employment-Based immigrant visas</header><text>Section 203(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1153">8 U.S.C. 1153(b)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id993e97900b6546e98bfaba5feef35f6a"><subsection id="id5a531adc35a14df2a86471c22d539f9a"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Employment-Based immigrants</header><paragraph id="id8c90f42f06474ab293d0cd4fa13aeefc"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Visas shall be made available, subject to section 201(d), to qualified immigrants whose admission has been certified by the Secretary of Homeland Security to be in the national interest in accordance with section 101(j)(2).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id9daba5b3a22043dfa403d072317e999a"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Standard for certification</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall make the certification described in paragraph (1) with respect to an alien if the alien has established, by a preponderance of the evidence, that—</text><subparagraph id="id3b2796b861524553ac3ecedfc22d7ae6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>he or she satisfies at least 1 presumptive positive factor described in paragraph (3);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6d8bcf465cbc4db486a41bfaa548c96f"><enum>(B)</enum><text>none of the grounds of inadmissibility listed under paragraph (6) applies to him or her; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idc89d2dcee653451894d75788bae07b27"><enum>(C)</enum><text>all presumptive negative factors described in paragraph (5) have been rebutted.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idf19cf3022dd74fed9fe71280258e1ebb"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Presumptive positive factors</header><subparagraph id="id772e2e68dba945c38ec661272dc47f2f"><enum>(A)</enum><header>High compensation</header><text>The alien has a bona fide offer of employment in the United States for which he or she will receive a salary, or has verified his or her ability to generate self-employment income in the United States, that is at or above the 90th percentile salary for the most relevant occupation code and area of intended employment, as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd355d6071f96424ea9fa43ce39196f2c"><enum>(B)</enum><header>National interest occupation or shortage service</header><clause id="id57fff7456c8d431f92aaddb906ec5e70" commented="no"><enum>(i)</enum><header>National interest occupation</header><text>The alien has a bona fide offer of employment in a National Interest Occupation for which he or she will receive a salary that is at or above the 75th percentile salary for the relevant occupation code and area of intended employment.</text></clause><clause id="idc8e4cf2cd92740e6bcf0cea793aa523f" commented="no"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Shortage position</header><text>The alien has committed to provide full-time service for a period of not fewer than 5 years in a federally designated medical, mental-health, dental, veterans, or other statutorily designated shortage position, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idd37710c7cfcb494db82896d1510dc332"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Strategic Federal support</header><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5ad09f75a776420dad22e5d8a32ed6ad"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The alien has received a written certification that—</text><subclause id="id5814f40493274e539cf3402ef7625fd6"><enum>(I)</enum><text>was executed by—</text><item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idaa3d915981ba4971989a06a05fd20861"><enum>(aa)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the head of a Federal department or agency designated under clause (ii); or</text></item><item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1be2125fdc6d4e9d9f1de36f5eea9656"><enum>(bb)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a Senate-confirmed officer of a Federal department or agency designated under clause (ii) who was appointed by the head of such department or agency to execute certifications under this clause;</text></item></subclause><subclause id="idabb4b343d1f241b9862c7703edef5b05"><enum>(II)</enum><text>identifies a published national priority of the United States that is materially related to the alien’s proposed work; and</text></subclause><subclause id="ideb7b97a3d6d14d93b3b45d75e0b48c50"><enum>(III)</enum><text>states the alien’s proposed work materially advances such national priority.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="id07b18e832c234d43b83727e4d0f8f32f"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Designated departments and agencies</header><text>The Federal departments and agencies designated under this clause are—</text><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6b0b9add27864ee5803e227066e404fe"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Department of Defense;</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7c0cc91cc3224870a9452724f813ee21"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Department of Energy;</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb5d8d2a903e24e9694f94f8fd4ebdecd"><enum>(III)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Department of Commerce;</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id748daf9b41994c87a0937b2f778051cd"><enum>(IV)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Department of Health and Human Services;</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5719511496144a3c86db82dc2012da30"><enum>(V)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Department of Agriculture;</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2061072994d745308bdfb98a0db4b4f7"><enum>(VI)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Department of Veterans Affairs;</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idfc4cbcfdf94f449897b8b3bccd249fc1"><enum>(VII)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idab8f93ed413e4fedad0f8570e842ef9a"><enum>(VIII)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the National Science Foundation; and</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc69bce483bd5497f846ebd4a714429fa"><enum>(IX)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any other Federal department or agency that has been so designated by an Act of Congress.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="idcf4eb6b7aaad43c4b6787e7a5a1734a6"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Defined term</header><text>In this subparagraph, the term <term>published national priority</term> means a priority identified in a published strategy, plan, directive, funding announcement, or other official document of the applicable Federal department or agency.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id10aa550db7314dbdb86de05214aaef2f"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Extraordinary ability</header><text>The alien demonstrates sustained national or international acclaim in a field materially related to the alien’s proposed endeavor in the United States by providing evidence that satisfies at least 3 of the following criteria:</text><clause id="idaa023916b76d430e96cb9764a9f45001"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Receipt of a major nationally or internationally recognized prize or award for excellence in the field, supported by objective evidence of the selectivity, prestige, and significance of the prize or award.</text></clause><clause id="id2aa87419075446ccbc60f4a51ae8a375"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Authorship of scholarly articles, major published works, patented inventions, or other original contributions of major significance in the field.</text></clause><clause id="id8b871b44367c40928aec29104013bfa0"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Evidence that the alien’s work has been widely cited, adopted, licensed, commercialized, implemented, or otherwise materially relied upon by recognized public or private entities in the field.</text></clause><clause id="idfd2fce34523049239fd470853f79ac4d"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Participation, by invitation or selection based on expertise, as a judge, peer reviewer, evaluator, or member of a selection panel for the work of others in the same or an allied field.</text></clause><clause id="id65645c45343c486bb976f83a2dda2b4b"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Service in a leading or critical capacity for an entity with a distinguished reputation, supported by objective evidence of the significance of the alien’s contributions.</text></clause><clause id="idb2b047805fb643228e15c4f72a390f87"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Commanding compensation, equity, or other remuneration demonstrating exceptional standing in the field, as established by objective market evidence.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idde8024dcf51342359c8ea0866a5b3a3d"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Entrepreneurship and innovation</header><text>The alien provides reliable evidence that—</text><clause id="ide175f9a534dc45469ec31f5a145ee0f8"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a startup entity in which the alien holds a substantial ownership interest and central managerial role has received—</text><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id72fe2ea77cfe4eefb1612e64dc7a1750"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">not less than $500,000 in qualified investment from qualified United States investors; or</text></subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddebd5318f0fa4ad18b24cac2bd611f9a"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">not less than $200,000 in qualifying Federal, State, or local research, development, or commercialization funding;</text></subclause></clause><clause id="id5be0aff6cea346c387b601d7ebf1a3d2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the investment or funding referred to in clause (i) is documented by binding investment instruments, grant award documents, audited capitalization records, or such other objective evidence as the Secretary of Homeland Security may prescribe;</text></clause><clause id="idb47a4cd026dd4dcfb2f4c5b0b0a75d5b"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>such entity has a credible plan to create not fewer than 5 full-time jobs for workers in the United States during the 3-year period beginning on the date on which the alien is admitted to the United States; and</text></clause><clause id="id35158b459ba54b7abb02951e4a48475d"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the alien’s claim does not rely solely on self-valued assets, unaudited internal valuations, or unsupported projections.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id2fff96562f6d427ebb2a8bd8b99213b5"><enum>(4)</enum><header>National interest occupation list</header><subparagraph id="idcde797d597ae4327ba8c9d896f21ff29"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall establish and maintain a list of occupations designated as National Interest Occupations for purposes of paragraph (3)(B)(i).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id017ae35d827c4bb6821fafd8767efa4b"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Standard</header><text>An occupation may be included on the list established pursuant to subparagraph (A) only if the Secretary of Homeland Security determines, based on objective evidence, that such occupation is associated with persistent labor shortages, strategic national need, or other circumstances demonstrating that employment in such occupation materially advances the economic, cultural, or security interests of the United States.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id28a00ab78afc49679b38b2c354f11f9c"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Publication</header><text>The list established pursuant to subparagraph (A), and any additions to, or removals from, such list, shall be published in the Federal Register.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id13b292526cb44cbeb58930b476c67601"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Periodic review</header><text>Not less frequently than once every 4 years, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall—</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1dd56874a257433ea52b85301c624ddc"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">review the list established pursuant to subparagraph (A); and</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id724fb3de392d4c5d83dc8f66b1bdfbd5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">add occupations to, or remove occupations from, such list, as appropriate.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idcd02039216c946a7a3ac9d2464aea5c1"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Presumptive negative factors</header><text>Unless rebutted under paragraph (7), there is a presumption that an alien's request for certification under paragraph (1) should be denied if any of the following factors exists:</text><subparagraph id="id8413801fbf404552962b85b84d4e6ed3"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Sub-median compensation</header><text>With respect to the alien's most recent employment, the alien received compensation that was lower than—</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id612d7e15301a4297896b08ed5e05b7e0"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the median wage for the relevant occupation code and area of intended employment; or</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3560a644ed924fa29d37884f1a07bbbe"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the required prevailing wage in circumstances where a prevailing wage determination is required.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id66a279ac617d42daa49a57bf3c251d52"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Limited english proficiency</header><text>The alien's English proficiency is at a level that is lower than English level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference scale, or its equivalent, unless the alien meets the criteria described in subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (3) or another exception prescribed by regulation.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idbf31ff7e314e4470b56dde39cb1301b2"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Serious employer labor noncompliance</header><text>There has been a final order of debarment or other final determination of serious labor law noncompliance during the 5-year period immediately preceding a request for certification under paragraph (1) against the petitioning employer or startup entity.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id41cd6f0ae7714231b2bff037d0fc17eb"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Insufficient showing of self-sufficiency</header><text>The alien fails to establish, through objective evidence, the present ability and prospective capacity to support himself or herself in the United States without reliance on means-tested public benefits.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id6852cd82a88f4606b464a3ea303c692d"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Grounds of inadmissibility</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security may not grant a certification to any alien who is inadmissible under paragraph (2), (3), or (6)(C) of section 212(a), unless a waiver to such ground of inadmissibility is available and granted under this Act.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id2121b8ae2b404fdda9f9d10d3da0c222"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Notice and rebuttal</header><text>Before denying certification under paragraph (1) on the basis of a factor described in paragraph (5), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id91c2b23f5d854316a10d6d58ec0b5fba"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide written notice to the petitioner that identifies the applicable presumptive negative factors; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb31a3ac1e52643fd839cbd8216a6c9ca"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide the alien not fewer than 60 days to submit evidence to rebut such factors.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id3b2c6c9ba8ec4f7891f74486aeb64b17"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Priority order when visa demand exceeds supply</header><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id10e040ddf0ff413ba8353eb661b984bd"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the number of aliens eligible for certification under this subsection in a fiscal year exceeds the number of visas available under this subsection in such fiscal year, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall prioritize the available visas in the following order:</text><clause id="id93bbc271f4284a639b7701a1f089d9bb"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Aliens who meet a factor described in subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (3).</text></clause><clause id="id1726961da1c94f25a3bae5d342a9e55c"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Aliens who meet a factor described in paragraph (3)(B).</text></clause><clause id="ida22ccb670f324df78f7900df01844abb"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Aliens who meet a factor described in paragraph (3)(A).</text></clause><clause id="idf53e51ef81344c909b97700d2832f771"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Aliens who meet a factor described in paragraph (3)(E).</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id883363930b5f475eac30e2f8f8069057" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Priority order within a subgroup</header><text>If the number of aliens described in any clause under subparagraph (A) in a fiscal year exceeds the number of visas available for such aliens in such fiscal year, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall prioritize the available visas in the following order:</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9f08f998e67d4ea6a62219d9d162beb8"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Aliens who will be receiving a salary or generating self-employment income at a higher applicable wage percentile.</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5be528a8a69f4103a1a3815d4cf19322"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Earliest priority date.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idc53c099abbef482aafd6c1fc6162a6aa"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Rulemaking</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the <short-title>ASSIMILATION Act</short-title>, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall prescribe regulations to carry out this subsection, including rules for—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbbb9c7f9351c42daa6b90ecc9eb943f3"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">occupational wage mapping;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id25aa30d596654b30be3e325d54fdfefb"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">English-equivalency standards;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6fc5211945c74406bf6ba6f228846d2c"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">qualified investment requirements;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id44657cd746a94e98a705ce2b5c5129a7"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">employer noncompliance penalties; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9dde9fdb27d84d509a9fca0ed7e06509"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">self-sufficiency requirements.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id4b0ca6f697d342ff921eb563c35ec262"><enum>(10)</enum><header>Derivative aliens</header><text>A spouse or child described in section 203(d) who is accompanying or following to join a principal alien granted a visa under this subsection shall be entitled to the same status and the same order of consideration as such principal alien.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section><section id="ideb62653a7f5e4eea9ca6105ee3e9b7c6"><enum>204.</enum><header>H–1B reforms</header><subsection id="id0d2a00862e2a4217b732318e6b4a25fe"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Labor condition requirements</header><text>Section 212(n) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182(n)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6c8b2f230b5a47a4a02e04d98347cead"><paragraph id="idfc8d652d328b4ba2906cbb2b7da2f1bd"><enum>(6)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="iddfd2319986404db19d71d2f2f8416a6e"><enum>(A)</enum><text>No application under this subsection may be approved unless the employer attests, and the Secretary concurs, that the wage level for the position to be filled by the H–1B nonimmigrant is not less than 200 percent of the median wage for the occupational classification code in the area of intended employment.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1cf7398afb0b4698bf52755e6851ad77" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Homeland Security, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with this Act, shall prioritize petitions filed on behalf of aliens who have earned a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics from an institution of higher education in the United States.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="id07f085a4918b417e8b9e1b17da0fc17d"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Numerical limitation and period of admission</header><text>Section 214(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1184">8 U.S.C. 1184(g)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="idb38e296913fa43dea8ad27eb2becafc9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking paragraphs (5) and (6) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd4f57777a7df4b659312e1f73fe98393"><paragraph id="ide3a9b68227cb4239aea12c322ab1b651" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The numerical limitations under paragraph (1)(A) shall not apply to a petition filed on behalf of an alien employed, or to be employed, by an institution or organization if the Secretary of Homeland Security determines such employment affirmatively serves the economic, cultural, or security interests of the United States, as described in section 101(h).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id59347f43656841d1b1577ea55c0a86ef" indent="up1"><enum>(6)</enum><text>An alien previously approved pursuant to paragraph (5) shall be counted toward the numerical limitations under paragraph (1)(A) upon the first approval of a petition filed by an employer that does not qualify under paragraph (5) unless the alien has previously been counted toward such limitations.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="id72e4cc69db554d17b2d73f70c89b6f28"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3879f30bead140fcaeae448627827d44"><paragraph id="ide9a6b27903b7455cb07b9be8cac20658" indent="up1"><enum>(12)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="ideba5c9b2de014a2cbf5287bbaf64b66b"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the total number of aliens who may be issued visas or otherwise provided status as nonimmigrants under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) in any fiscal year may not exceed 50,000.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph indent="up1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbc18990538dd4434b0b7177569674cbf"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien may not be accorded status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) for a period exceeding 3 years. Such status may not be extended or renewed.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph indent="up1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3b8d862669904c19acc4e114206259b2"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien who has been granted status as a nonimmigrant under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) may not adjust his or her status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence unless the alien remains outside of the United States for a continuous period of not less than 2 years following the expiration of such status.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id7bef101aa84845b69ba6dfcf0930e3ec"><enum>205.</enum><header>Optional practical training</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 274A(h) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1324a">8 U.S.C. 1324a(h)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5a27f5d9d9484817800fd6206d417a64"><paragraph id="idb9bd3db989a0437e90418587f6e3ef14"><enum>(4)</enum><text>An alien admitted as a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) shall not be considered authorized to be employed in the United States.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section><section id="id5b3efb74ddf1404996ea6e2505b6e84a"><enum>206.</enum><header>Per country limitations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 202 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1152">8 U.S.C. 1152</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="id765486d2e270468b893b4a6b1868fe12"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)—</text><subparagraph id="ida782485f3931412db6502595acb12803"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), by striking <quote>Subject to paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), the</quote> and inserting <quote>The</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2a2c01674e0b44c99c5705d48f9c45c6"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking paragraphs (3), (4), and (5); and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idbfd012b1ba854af2a2dffe105c30a584"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4e73e12f36104326832eefb23de17133"><subsection id="idb96ad20a4e25492bb304d0f7c9c749eb"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Allocation of visa numbers for countries at per country ceiling</header><paragraph id="id9f87724aec8b44d8afe2050d51eee2e9" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>If the Secretary of State determines the total number of immigrant visas made available under subsections (a) and (b) of section 203 to natives of a single foreign state or dependent area will exceed the numerical limitation specified in subsection (a)(2) in a fiscal year, immigrant visa numbers for natives of that foreign state or dependent area shall be allocated in accordance with paragraph (2).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idea60f3a09ce14d678861b58c62f060eb"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Allocation between family-sponsored and employment-based immigrants</header><text>The total number of immigrant visa described in paragraph (1) shall be allocated, to the extent practicable and consistent with this section and section 203, in a manner so that the ratio of the number of visas made available under section 203(a) to the number of visas made available under section 203(b) is equal to the ratio of the worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants under section 201(c) to the worldwide level of employment-based immigrants under section 201(d).</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section><enum>III</enum><header>Admission, inadmissibility, sponsorship, and administrative authority</header><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section" id="id309d41c36f9e4baaa8dc5ba146d31e26"><enum>301.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Public charge</header><subsection id="id7699eea3acfd41cb95ebd81e5c8ccd8b"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Inadmissibility</header><text>Section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(4)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="idd1bd2cf94d834bd69038f9813d9f4092"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id39d1d6acd617495284f1c26fd3a057c6"><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide94a3834402e47789327097206c84370"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any alien who, in the opinion of the consular officer at the time of application for a visa, or in the opinion of the Secretary of Homeland Security at the time of application for admission or adjustment of status, and based on objective evidence and the totality of the circumstances described in subparagraph (B), fails to establish the present ability and prospective capacity to support the alien and the alien’s dependents in the United States without reliance on means-tested public benefits is inadmissible.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="idd0ace8331f5d4cdf81c55c72e9672177"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id34cb00ecbccf4f92a0274eec5871a7ae"><subparagraph id="idf6ea8fa1457b4098a0830e305cbd58cd"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Factors to be taken into account</header><text>In determining whether an alien is inadmissible under this paragraph, the consular officer or the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consider, based on objective evidence and the totality of the circumstances, at a minimum, the alien’s—</text><clause id="id1b84dc999b9b48c895eade194c3a19f5"><enum>(i)</enum><text>age;</text></clause><clause id="idc58511570e0f47f785a70eb4e09b62e5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>health;</text></clause><clause id="idd50118c066d34d51924b2f9899f8ca98"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>family status;</text></clause><clause id="id7126f6e209a149b4b352fe7b8636cd11"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>assets, resources, liabilities, and financial status;</text></clause><clause id="ida017e8e9da7b47fab4bb212dc3bbef23"><enum>(v)</enum><text>education and skills;</text></clause><clause id="id79b5fe6d367747b7a6fa2f4ee677874f"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>employment history, prospective employability, and expected lawful means of support;</text></clause><clause id="idd01e2e747a184aac85393583f220e74b"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>history of receipt of means-tested public benefits, if any;</text></clause><clause id="id9f7d1972de744546b2ef8a7acc097d7f"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>English proficiency;</text></clause><clause id="id3507fe4a33184841bbc38ed994cc8d62"><enum>(ix)</enum><text>such assimilation-related factors as the Secretary of Homeland Security may prescribe; and</text></clause><clause id="idfc3bf83685db46968b00b55501c2da56"><enum>(x)</enum><text>any affidavit of support required under section 213A and any bond posted under section 213 or 213A(g).</text></clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="id40a08db87dd940dea8328e00b313bb9a"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbc296922fad04508a4d2e18f8a49fbf9"><subparagraph id="idd7bd42825acb48d381e872d4793f6775"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Presumption from benefit dependency</header><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0fa890efc6fa4fc7ad9ba7ca178e39aa"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien who is subject to this paragraph shall be presumed to have become a public charge if the alien receives one or more means-tested public benefits for more than 12 months in the aggregate within any 36-month period, such that receipt of two benefits in one month shall count as two months.</text></clause><clause id="ideb1bd9ce55a04d88813401fcb31f52de"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Rebuttal</header><text>The presumption under clause (i) may be rebutted only through objective evidence establishing that the receipt of benefits—</text><subclause id="id92a59cf97c5c4a86855fc425164054f3"><enum>(I)</enum><text>was directly attributable to circumstances that arose after the alien’s admission or adjustment of status;</text></subclause><subclause id="id44f06a59c6c141dba2678ed926ee727e"><enum>(II)</enum><text>was not reasonably foreseeable at the time of such admission or adjustment; and</text></subclause><subclause id="idb092fcc174b14c9c9244c7d920103a94"><enum>(III)</enum><text>is not indicative of a present inability or prospective incapacity to remain self-sufficient in the United States.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="id0ee45adc0bc7400fa2f8548ccd6aabfc"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this subparagraph may be construed to limit the authority of the consular officer or the Secretary of Homeland Security to determine, under the totality of the circumstances, that an alien is inadmissible under this paragraph, notwithstanding that the alien has not received benefits in the amount or duration described in clause (i).</text></clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9409ba56641344abb307deae6a835eca"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Deportability</header><text>Paragraph (5) of section 237(a) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1227">8 U.S.C. 1227(a)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idea83df3266d24ed2a6802704438c0830"><paragraph id="id105ca90920ea465e8dc20fd188a03ddf"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Public charge</header><text>Any alien who, at any time after the date of admission as an immigrant or adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, has become a public charge, including any alien subject to section 212(a)(4) who meets the presumption described in section 212(a)(4)(F), is deportable, unless the alien establishes, through objective evidence, that the cause arose after such admission or adjustment from circumstances that were not reasonably foreseeable at the time of such admission or adjustment.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="idef0e5c69ade04023b2b9d2c048b1e1d1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Rescission of adjustment of status</header><text>Section 246(a) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1256">8 U.S.C. 1256(a)</external-xref>) is amended by inserting after the first sentence the following: <quote>For purposes of the preceding sentence, a person shall be considered not to have been in fact eligible for adjustment of status if, at any time after the date of adjustment, the person meets the presumption described in section 212(a)(4)(F), unless the person establishes, through objective evidence, that the cause arose after adjustment from circumstances that were not reasonably foreseeable at the time of adjustment.</quote>.</text></subsection><subsection id="id02c931f8910f46cfa2cc2b6da04dafa2"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Savings provision</header><text>Nothing in the amendments made by this section may be construed to repeal or narrow any exemption from section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(4)</external-xref>) that is expressly provided elsewhere in such Act or in any other Act of Congress.</text></subsection><subsection id="id68f0821a948f457abdfc0544ecb3e9a1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Rulemaking</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section.</text></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9d24405524b74713850f1c13a83e47c0"><enum>302.</enum><header>Affidavits of support and sponsor financial requirements</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 213A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1183a">8 U.S.C. 1183a</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="idb03d4ea37d0a4ca6bb23f504c871c8ae"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(1)—</text><subparagraph id="idfef151c612e945f6953f9bd1ad06d0b6" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>125 percent</quote> and inserting <quote>200 percent</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9385e78fa8244e259dce1356a1098f08"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (B), by striking <quote>(as defined in subsection (e))</quote>;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idc6a0d25cecba4f929803ed99456b057b"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (b)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3a1d15ca944c4acbbfb27892590b4272"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (1)(A), by striking <quote>Upon notification that a sponsored alien has received any means-tested public benefit</quote> and inserting <quote>Not later than 30 days after receiving notice or other reliable evidence that a sponsored alien has received any means-tested public benefit</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id36bf66e36de942d7bcd623decbf45b34"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)(A), by striking <quote>45 days</quote> and inserting <quote>30 days</quote>;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id046c3e8df02649c4af616b9962369271"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in subsection (c), in the second sentence, by inserting <quote>, including administrative offset under section 3716 of such title and any lien authorized under subsection (g)</quote> before the period at the end;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idffcf2fe2c5f54069b72874ff0470d5d1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in subsection (f)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5e6df3b8a9a347e99b7a2b16e8c59e4f"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (1)(E), by striking <quote>125 percent</quote> and inserting <quote>200 percent</quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id19d51eb73508454fb66d2f393d3395fa"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (4)(B)(i), by striking <quote>125 percent</quote> and inserting <quote>200 percent</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd9af70e1740146918cd06901e3d6b64a"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in paragraph (5)(A), by striking <quote>125 percent</quote> and inserting <quote>200 percent</quote>;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id200a0e36ca8e4939a5e5d72bd5e4dc96"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by inserting after subsection (f) the following:</text><quoted-block id="id3dfec8fb0bb543608958af6bdb341088" display-inline="no-display-inline" style="OLC"><subsection id="ida5614ecafaa24f3aa38ac7657d461374"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Sponsor bond and liens</header><paragraph id="id0aaa9c4909ab43a89d3494577bde11ff"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Bond required</header><text>An affidavit of support accepted under this section shall not be considered sufficient unless each sponsor and joint sponsor whose income or assets are relied upon to satisfy subsection (f) has posted, with respect to each sponsored alien, a bond or other surety satisfactory to the Secretary of Homeland Security in an amount not less than $20,000.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id3198c401d9ce41129eff10fa97002dba"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Conditions</header><text>A bond under paragraph (1) shall be conditioned on—</text><subparagraph id="id73c23706bb004beb91984022a1040f12"><enum>(A)</enum><text>compliance with the sponsor’s support obligations under subsection (a);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6925539321ad4295ba205223f596b775"><enum>(B)</enum><text>reimbursement of any means-tested public benefit described in subsection (b); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idfa09407d9c474d05b26709e0191ae34e"><enum>(C)</enum><text>payment of any civil penalty or collection cost lawfully assessed under this section.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id54687a6f933a47d29dcd57b4de850250"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Period of effectiveness</header><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7abd3269221e4417ac461300d6fff6a6"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subject to subparagraph (B), a bond under paragraph (1) shall remain in effect until the earlier of—</text><clause id="idcd139cbec2a147efaaef30410cbe34af"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the date that is 10 years after the date of the sponsored alien’s admission or adjustment of status;</text></clause><clause id="id1fa0bd0791534d48b6020bc808576049"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>that date of the sponsored alien’s naturalization as a citizen of the United States;</text></clause><clause id="id5b3f3dd904494661945b019c865920c4"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the date of the sponsored alien’s death; or</text></clause><clause id="ida1117645cddc4b12bf247bb1fb76549f"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the date of the sponsored alien’s permanent departure from the United States.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id31d72d0132c641acb3c4e91b2a1c3518"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Treatment of liabilities incurred</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Liability incurred before the termination date under subparagraph (A) shall remain enforceable until satisfied.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="iddf1f31f9a25b4fbf9dd42008b185340c"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Forfeiture</header><text>If a sponsor fails to reimburse amounts due under subsection (b) within 30 days after a final written demand, the Secretary of Homeland Security or the requesting governmental entity may declare the bond forfeited in an amount sufficient to satisfy the unpaid obligation, together with interest, administrative costs, and costs of collection.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ide50b49f85c904574b79016c71d4b9a44"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Liens</header><text>Any amount finally determined and unpaid under this section shall constitute a debt due the United States. Upon notice and opportunity for a hearing, the United States may record a lien in favor of the United States on all property and rights to property, whether real or personal, of the sponsor, and may enforce such debt under subsection (c) and subchapter II of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/31/37">chapter 37</external-xref> of title 31, United States Code.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id8db9838483ed441c84e6ae5623587044" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury, shall prescribe regulations governing bond form, surety, forfeiture, lien notice, hearing rights, and release.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="id4c143523a3ca49579550c3e792219485"><enum>(6)</enum><text>in subsection (i)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id323b6bdf4706422b85e6f1f9b2e93657"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (2), by striking <quote>Attorney General</quote> and inserting <quote>Secretary of Homeland Security</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ideea9b648a742446cb7e3cff69eee34e8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (3)—</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide79eaf426a834acdbef2263e2f02fdbd"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>Attorney General</quote> and inserting <quote>Secretary of Homeland Security</quote>;</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6eeda705f6504463b5143578464b8b63"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (A), by striking <quote>; and</quote> and inserting a semicolon;</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id67020b67930848a799388cf679c3b0c6"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide487a6ac8eae44bcb98eda9d892951a7"><enum>(iv)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbaf1eba30c294fccb18dacec398f5825"><subparagraph id="id460136de02b04502bd04e3c0d8c4a583"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the number of reimbursement requests issued under subsection (b)(1)(A), the number of actions brought under subsection (b)(2), the number of bond forfeitures under subsection (g), and the total dollar amount recovered under this section during such fiscal year.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></section><section id="idf7362dcceb7446e1be946d0601ac31bc"><enum>303.</enum><header>Visa overstays</header><subsection id="idaa8aa8c8df50408eac1fa374997cb799"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Voiding nonimmigrant visas that have expired or for noncompliance</header><text>Section 222(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1202">8 U.S.C. 1202(g)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id702488c9000e411c9213613e998f5405"><subsection id="id739e8fc3d5fb418b92ae010f56ac9230"><enum>(g)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="ide2ac2b2094764526bdc6191cbe037fa8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The nonimmigrant visa of an alien who has been admitted to the United States shall be void beginning on the date (excluding any period tolled under section 212(a)(9)(B)(iv)) that is 10 days after—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3de34d6cb8334110b6e96bb9a48c501f" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the last day of such alien's authorized period of stay under such visa; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" indent="up1" id="idd124da3da4034b85a243e13e79eca080"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the date on which U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement determines such alien—</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbdae208a79934c74badae8e49f51d21f"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">has materially failed to maintain the nonimmigrant status in which such alien was admitted or to which it was changed under section 248; or</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id628dbe76e99e49efae17fc411a9d6af7"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">has materially fails to comply with the conditions of such status.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" indent="up1" id="ida93f5d102a024471a38a88bed4765304"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien described in paragraph (1) shall be ineligible to be readmitted to the United States as a nonimmigrant, except—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf1720e2b2eb844aa83ad69155b59510a"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">on the basis of a visa (other than the visa described in paragraph (1)) issued in a consular office located in the country of the alien’s nationality (or, if there is no office in such country, in such other consular office as the Secretary of State shall specify); or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2dfe29c42f2e4aa9b496802603c7a9b3"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">if the Secretary of State determines the existence of extraordinary circumstances justifying such readmission.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" indent="up1" id="id47d8b78f12674607958d478705c202b7"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The provisions of this subsection are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any ground of inadmissibility or deportability or any criminal or civil penalty otherwise provided by law.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="id6a5de881391d42cf9bd38581b0014d15"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Overstay offense and penalties</header><text>Section 275 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1325">8 U.S.C. 1325</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="id5e14478a7d7a45e587e898abc34d6bff"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a), by inserting <quote>or if the alien was previously convicted of an offense under subsection (e)(2)(A)</quote> after <quote>for a subsequent commission of any such offense</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id3e1977a798524d77b72528f2cbcc4bbe"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (b)—</text><subparagraph id="id78d551bea9b448018c669ea3b33be86a"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking <quote>at least $50 and not more than $250</quote> and inserting <quote>not less than $500 and not more than $1,000</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1d717de231f0469fb8bde4ecd664bf18"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), by inserting <quote>or subsection (e)(2)(B)</quote> after <quote>under this subsection</quote>; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="iddcf3c04bf55c4347b800c4fa29586e4f"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf6786ccc2db44344ad665c544d82afc5"><subsection id="id6379843ed76046f188116d358ceb1788"><enum>(e)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="iddc8951385f3b4c2dad991ab0b9607341"><enum>(1)</enum><text>An alien who was admitted as a nonimmigrant violates this subsection if the alien, for an aggregate of 10 days or more (excluding any period tolled under section 212(a)(9)(B)(iv))—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida1537b1bd5dc4dfda52c7b594a59090c" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">remains in the United States beyond the period of stay authorized by the Secretary of Homeland Security; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" indent="up1" id="idfbaeafd48dce41619326c74bf91a5ae3"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">materially fails to maintain the nonimmigrant status in which the alien was admitted or to which it was changed under section 248, or materially fails otherwise to comply with the conditions of such status.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" indent="up1" id="id1b25dccbdccb4ed694eefd370a0657cf"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An alien who violates paragraph (1)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id31ce784f346b4299b46e03b50cc00495"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall—</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc9c2a84b2c134fd5b7e1c38498208023"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for the first commission of such violation, be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both; and</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id73c8cdc4e20d406fafa99540da249ae6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for a subsequent commission of such violation, or if the alien was previously convicted of an offense under subsection (a), be fined under such title 18, imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4493b215d29c40c286ef72bf0b454ec4"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in addition to any penalty assessed under subparagraph (A) and any other criminal or civil penalties that otherwise may be imposed, shall be subject to a civil penalty of—</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id29138e9a3e26486f842ac4c4e4a4481a"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">not less than $500 and not more than $1,000 for each violation; or</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc86050246a8d45378e6250d58397544c"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">twice the amount specified in clause (i), in the case of an alien who has been previously subject to a civil penalty under this subparagraph or subsection (b).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id21439c61da44494a87dfd82a0f781060"><enum>304.</enum><header>Parole</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1182">8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide49772652e0540439b8ae8169e9297b1"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>(5)(A) The Secretary</quote> and all that follows through the period at the end of subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0f63b7ff9c924fb78231ac6f33b2b237"><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide2742a4f3c6f4656b079a38fb70211af" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id021770f01b3f4d579892dc5e8fa68c65"><enum>(A)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idc3b7d49cd4bb431f935edc0caacc3f51"><enum>(i)</enum><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security may, except as provided in subparagraph (B) or in section 214(f), in the discretion of the Secretary, parole into the United States temporarily, for a period not to exceed 90 days and under such conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, only on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit, as set forth in a written determination, any alien applying for admission to the United States.</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" indent="up2" id="id50aa944dd6924eb8a0f2ac6945c922b7"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Parole of an alien under clause (i) shall not be regarded as an admission of the alien, and when the purposes of such parole have been served, the alien shall forthwith return or be returned to the custody from which the alien was paroled, and thereafter the alien’s case shall continue to be dealt with in the same manner as that of any other applicant for admission to the United States.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="idaa2d5694592b488685d8acb2bf196727"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block id="id22d7d4fa9f0f4d70ae8babcdba42f3d0" display-inline="no-display-inline" style="OLC"><subparagraph id="id852679562ae442279ec778d9fa829d33" indent="up1"><enum>(D)</enum><header>No extension absent act of congress</header><text>Parole granted under subparagraph (A)(i) may not be extended, renewed, or granted again beyond an aggregate period of 90 days unless an Act of Congress expressly authorizes such longer period.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="iddea1df9fbdf6443c9b1eadf4407f86b7" indent="up1"><enum>(E)</enum><header>No categorical or programmatic parole</header><text>Parole under subparagraph (A)(i) may not be granted on a categorical, class-wide, or programmatic basis, and may not be used to circumvent any numerical limitation, refugee admission process under section 207, labor certification requirement, or other limitation or requirement under this Act.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id34d95005b6144c86b283dc593af42714" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" indent="up1"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Record retention</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall retain each written determination under subparagraph (A)(i) for not less than 10 years.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section><section id="iddb2f0029691044a4996641b0a4c50e87"><enum>305.</enum><header>Limitations on enforcement discretion</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 103 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1103">8 U.S.C. 1103</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc692a3eabd22471481474d4b80652c34"><subsection id="id45d70677f4ea49a2908b6de4c8a60287"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Limitations on enforcement discretion</header><paragraph id="id7c5ac1a605ee4894870c3a6ac4d78f79"><enum>(1)</enum><header>No categorical nonenforcement</header><text>Except as expressly authorized by this Act or by any other Act of Congress, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General may not adopt, implement, or rely upon a policy, memorandum, rule, order, or program that prospectively exempts or purports to exempt a class or category of aliens from inspection, apprehension, detention, initiation of removal proceedings, adjudication of removability, or execution of final orders of removal.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id2c26d957c6e34fb7b3bdf1afaea89dd2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>No categorical deferred action or similar nonenforcement status</header><text>Except as expressly authorized by this Act or by any other Act of Congress, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General may not grant deferred action or any similar form of categorical nonenforcement status to a class or category of aliens.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id6287b6a0c16341baa5801c24372b77ae"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Case-by-case deferrals</header><text>Nothing in this subsection may be construed to preclude an individualized decision, supported by a written determination, to defer a specific enforcement action for a period not to exceed 180 days, which may be renewed only upon a new written determination, on the basis of—</text><subparagraph id="idcb6b05c56d534a66bfbdb9febdef7c48"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a serious medical emergency;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7c5f3ad6cabf456d93a4c4b0c3d788d5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the alien’s material assistance as a witness, victim, or informant in a criminal, civil, or administrative investigation or proceeding;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idbb198d14dc6843b698976f724bbdc12e"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a compelling national security or law enforcement interest; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idb3cd5b52520e44f6a7b8f1bce66b2ef3"><enum>(D)</enum><text>another compelling humanitarian circumstance of comparable gravity specifically described in the written determination.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ida47c355147d1421d9bbe53a32b321e72"><enum>(4)</enum><header>No immigration status or benefit created</header><text>A deferral granted pursuant to paragraph (3)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id61d829ad0b304fb0aa878b787a526cdd"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">does not constitute an admission, parole, or lawful status of an alien; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd41f1cac429d47bb9bee6fe1bf7635ab"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may not serve as the basis for employment authorization, advance parole, adjustment of status, or eligibility for any Federal public benefit, unless expressly authorized by this Act or by any other Act of Congress.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id01c91c2ee47b49e3a7a5fb46cd89bf07"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Operational sequencing</header><text>Nothing in this subsection may be construed as prohibiting ordinary case-specific decisions regarding sequencing, scheduling, or resource allocation if such decisions do not amount violated the categorical nonenforcement prohibition described in paragraph (1).</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section><enum>IV</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Naturalization and citizenship</header><section id="id50866fd835c94778a64501e6eef0146a"><enum>401.</enum><header>Good moral character</header><subsection id="id0f69e2162f9c4a10932680dbb4839302"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Expanded statutory bars</header><text>Section 101(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101(f)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="idde28ab27bfeb45cd83eb1e27846e5c4a"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (8), by striking <quote>or</quote> at the end;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idce3573669cba4d08b208fdfb423eb613"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; or</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="iddd7bcebdaace4e16b4e049b0526a08ed"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idadcefe2d750e449aaf0b8293faf8dca3"><paragraph id="id3e9175a001234557a09a29b89b5e6476"><enum>(10)</enum><text>one who has been convicted of any felony under Federal, State, or local law;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id2535e5c019ad47baba0a10d70d4c04e9"><enum>(11)</enum><text>during the period for which good moral character is required to be established, one who has been convicted of 1 or more misdemeanors under Federal, State, or local law;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id2707764899564d7fb7daa5c15badd6db"><enum>(12)</enum><text>one who has been found, by a final administrative or judicial determination, to have violated this Act or any of the immigration laws, including by failing to maintain lawful status or by overstaying a period of authorized admission by more than 180 days;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idc99afedb75a84bf088ec668b5887f16b"><enum>(13)</enum><text>one who has engaged in fraud or willful misrepresentation in applying for, obtaining, or retaining any Federal, State, or local public benefit;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id0e040418c41749cf894254534fab1b66"><enum>(14)</enum><text>one who is described in section 212(a)(3) or 237(a)(4), or who has knowingly participated in a criminal street gang (as defined in section 521(a) of title 18, United States Code), as established by clear and convincing evidence;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idd7d6ddf1e8234065ba563fcbf6439c2f"><enum>(15)</enum><text>during such period, one who has been convicted of an offense involving the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or an offense described in section 237(a)(2)(E); or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idf53bbc4b80204883b6822f071fd7a530"><enum>(16)</enum><text>one who has willfully failed to satisfy a Federal tax liability or a legally enforceable child-support obligation, as established by a final administrative or judicial determination.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id14e1c98ab05c402bb4d1eede0ff918a0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Totality of circumstances in naturalization cases</header><text>Section 316(e) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1427">8 U.S.C. 1427(e)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3ce1f5453bbd44a998742c48b5831115"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>(e) In determining</quote> and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf4b1558a9fff42ac9449b3e606268e8f"><subsection id="id3082914b34df4a70b353e41b71ac52bf"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Good moral character determination</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4da6149592e3450b9b3231ed2124039e"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">In general</header><text>In determining</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2bab347413e049eebf9a550bd8ce9420"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id163acd9a461948c48a3e2be7f109fa4b"><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf2b92fce439b4a6bbba7b01dbfd6501a"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Considerations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In making such determination, the Secretary of Homeland Security may consider the totality of the circumstances, including criminal history, employment history, tax compliance, compliance with support obligations, and civic conduct, and may require objective documentary evidence of such matters.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id457064b29f3c41a78de7cb1728483c9f"><enum>402.</enum><header>Naturalization</header><subsection id="id7a437ba7f1a5456ba79123edd34297a7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>English requirement</header><text>Section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1423">8 U.S.C. 1423</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="ida12e030efe154ad4b7c600f1b14c49a4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idce4025904874457cbb81451b79c0d105"><paragraph id="idc61644a947cd469eaa4355d0db01ed5b"><enum>(1)</enum><text>an understanding of the English language, including the ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English at a proficiency level not lower than B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or an equivalent standard prescribed by regulation; and</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="id5e5275c0adf34fbfb26f45a6a34fd55c"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (b)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf7b543813a564bd5ace2b253b289ca6c"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id61d252c2420f4bc8bc62e00e2a775941"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking <quote>(1) The requirements</quote> and inserting <quote>The requirements</quote>.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id4a434783b5754dfa821b1d60cccb34f7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>General residence period and other qualifications</header><text>Section 316(a) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1427">8 U.S.C. 1427(a)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5b02631908f749f3b8f1da5e53871d3f"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>applicant,</quote> and inserting <quote>applicant—</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd3cee2c508404eb6a28fa2fdb7482dcb"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>(1) immediately</quote> and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf8402a0d5e3d41e3a121f345b8f298e2"><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id73e96c6770bd47b1ac854ee771c12eb8"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">immediately</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id99d0e84f43b14230969f10c0a0649f4e"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in paragraph (1)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf9fb6dfebcc84d6e98f571833c4e242c"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>five years</quote> each place such term appears and inserting <quote>10 years</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5d90adfe54d045019ebdc7ca490ba987"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking <quote>three months,</quote> and inserting <quote>3 months;</quote>;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idc74207dbad864d968ebc85182af1b303"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7f7eaa4d20ac4f0483aedce53fb60a00"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>(2) has resided</quote> and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id662a20e337a44028a4983fe410f860a1"><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id70397f324f1b4ab9a1c74aed9326dcd5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>has resided</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1c9ad5d706894c6b824021c5c4bcc6c0"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>, and</quote> and inserting a semicolon;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id515ee64dd7144dabbd28eee210f53ad7"><enum>(5)</enum><text>in paragraph (3)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id25273bf805704e02b62b0f63c9096bac"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>(3) during</quote> and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9612200f769f47459f9d76a5677317e3"><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9d767ba8eedc45a292f7de1cf7b77eca"><enum>(4)</enum><text>during</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1e7b313596a14f5db0d46c948de17802"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9e24d18583cb4ffcabc77d6a7809dce7"><enum>(6)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id313ef156db664a75832e95dbdb8575f1"><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcda4059d843548b4b3ad556df8e8d8f5"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">during the 10-year period immediately preceding the date of filing an application for naturalization, has complied with all Federal tax filing and payment obligations, or is in full compliance with an approved payment arrangement;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8b4c5e796c464d51831e73b058390deb"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">during such period, has not received a means-tested public benefit, except as expressly exempted under section 101(a)(54); and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id01057ef462d044b3a28924163b863acc"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">has demonstrated civic integration through objective evidence prescribed by regulation, which may include compliance with registration requirements under the Military Selective Service Act, as applicable, and verified civic participation or community service.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id3f561785565e4f75841b14394a1e03d4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Spouses of citizens</header><text>Section 319(a) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1430">8 U.S.C. 1430(a)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>three years</quote> each place such term appears and inserting <quote>10 years</quote>.</text></subsection><subsection id="id5f83f356e1164d358d9957ab9b2a1634"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Application evidence</header><text>Section 334(a) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1445">8 U.S.C. 1445(a)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following: <quote>An application for naturalization shall include official Federal tax return transcripts, or such other official tax records as the Secretary of Homeland Security may prescribe, for each taxable year within the period for which continuous residence and good moral character must be established, together with such additional objective evidence as the Secretary may require to establish compliance with sections 312 and 316.</quote>.</text></subsection></section><section id="id7021d507be574db89c13375e245e0afe"><enum>403.</enum><header>Documentation of citizenship at birth</header><subsection id="id9edbdbab904c4816878be49a23428586"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Clarification of citizenship at birth</header><text>Section 301 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1401">8 U.S.C. 1401</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8a30205c46b44561b0ed5830f997a4c5"><subsection id="ideca6038a50194dcda76d5098c549b0f6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>For purposes of subsection (a), a person born in the United States shall be considered <quote>subject to the jurisdiction thereof</quote> only if, at the time of the person’s birth, at least 1 parent of the person was—</text><paragraph id="idbb14f38cc4e148f2a7f0f7642282deb9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a citizen or national of the United States; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id18fe3f635497457fb8e00e5a4695c874"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id674e839c7ac84312b81e363192fe9951"> <enum>(j)</enum> <text>For purposes of any Federal right, privilege, documentation, or benefit for which citizenship under subsection (a) is material, proof of birth in the United States shall not, standing alone, be conclusive evidence of citizenship unless accompanied by objective evidence, as prescribed by regulation, that the person satisfies subsection (i).</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="id9d05485c6b4a431d975f1a13fc252522"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Certificate of citizenship</header><text>Section 341(a) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1452">8 U.S.C. 1452(a)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="id07e71ffcb2df4895a1d4fee5441c22bc"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the first sentence, by inserting <quote>, or who claims to be a citizen of the United States by virtue of subsection (a) of section 301, as qualified by subsection (i) of such section,</quote> after <quote>under the provisions of section 303 of this title</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id810da062f5f145e79d932500bc3fe4b2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in the second sentence, by striking <quote>that the applicant’s alleged citizenship was derived as claimed, or acquired, as the case may be,</quote> and inserting <quote>that the applicant’s alleged citizenship was derived, acquired, or established, as the case may be, under the provision of law claimed,</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id3f8411a4751c40a78bd580f99b06bfb6" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly prescribe regulations to carry out the amendments made by this section, including regulations governing objective evidence of parental citizenship, nationality, or lawful permanent resident status at the time of birth.</text></subsection></section><enum>V</enum><header>Asylum, inspection, detention, and unaccompanied alien children</header><section id="idea14876336c94d3d9fd1ab6d6703bbd4"><enum>501.</enum><header>Asylum</header><subsection id="id600a34a45a6348e9b8d69ba79a1097f4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Safe third country and transit bar</header><text>Section 208(a)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1158">8 U.S.C. 1158(a)(2)(A)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="id3929e12e4bd34de98a6c8a0a21e6276d"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>if the Attorney General determines</quote> and inserting <quote>if the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General determines—</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id51abf34d7d0c4b6182713869107a4544"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking <quote>that the alien may be removed</quote> and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6db9b79e68c1439690447944dd98c862"><clause id="id50b8475abd98453691137363d8f540a2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>that the alien may be removed</text></clause><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="ida9953d10cbb14286827defaeb38acbac"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by striking <quote>, pursuant to a bilateral or multilateral agreement, to</quote> and inserting <quote>to</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id2bf1720ea0f24a3794e1541dbf37175a"><enum>(4)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>or the Secretary of Homeland Security, on a case-by-case basis,</quote> before <quote>finds that</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id997e667078884df3af60c13f33124b72"><enum>(5)</enum><text>by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; or</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id02960f86515a4677b7e439eff7a96a20"><enum>(6)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idcc7e6d45db6a4072875d06377c0e8ee1"><clause id="idbba623e0bd3548c29236b4589c70e506"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>that the alien entered, attempted to enter, or arrived in the United States after transiting through at least 1 country outside of the alien’s country of citizenship, nationality, or last lawful habitual residence en route to the United States, unless—</text><subclause id="id16c57b8208ad4dfd8e45e948494b5288"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the alien demonstrates that the alien applied for protection from persecution or torture in at least 1 country outside of the alien’s country of citizenship, nationality, or last lawful habitual residence through which the alien transited en route to the United States and received a final judgment denying such protection in each such country;</text></subclause><subclause id="idcdd2d55b8a3a4e7284c183754457567b"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the alien demonstrates that the alien was a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons and, as a result of such trafficking, was unable to apply for protection from persecution or torture in each country through which the alien transited en route to the United States; or</text></subclause><subclause id="id4957c429010740a4b3f4903f64737019"><enum>(III)</enum><text>the only countries through which the alien transited en route to the United States were, at the time of transit, not parties to the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, or the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.</text></subclause></clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idec9dd04d598d4a339e6789da9bb25aeb"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Pending employment authorization</header><text>Section 208(d)(2) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1158">8 U.S.C. 1158(d)(2)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8beebc22ef6a42699fe2bb60e4cc5d81"><paragraph id="idd653bb2abada44fe8b139ff5c39d39c1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Employment</header><text>An applicant for asylum is not entitled to employment authorization, and employment authorization may not be granted solely on the basis of a pending application for asylum under this section.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="idb747ef0eb41f442cb2aef8b5eac70c20"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Asylum filing fee</header><text>Section 208(d)(3) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1158">8 U.S.C. 1158(d)(3)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbba3b2798a4d46608040874bc4fbc10f"><paragraph id="id3916b5c865434e1682e0a7bb71fd7ec4"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Fees</header><text>The fee for filing an application for asylum under this section shall be $500. The Attorney General shall impose fees for employment authorization under this section and for adjustment of status under section 209(b). Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the authority of the Attorney General to set additional adjudication and naturalization fees in accordance with section 286(m).</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="id37cab01b04f2441682836d9fb9db527a"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Conforming amendment relating to unaccompanied alien children</header><text>Section 208(a)(2)(E) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1158">8 U.S.C. 1158(a)(2)(E)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>Subparagraphs (A) and (B)</quote> and inserting <quote>Subparagraph (B)</quote>.</text></subsection><subsection id="idb792141d6ee248b08313770b65fb8218"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Jurisdiction of asylum applications filed by unaccompanied alien children</header><text>Section 208(b)(3) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1158">8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(3)</external-xref>) is amended by striking subparagraph (C).</text></subsection><subsection id="id4d2f9a7d6d2f4f3e98bc0c136cbe7833"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Additional consequence for frivolous applications</header><text>Section 208(d)(6) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1158">8 U.S.C. 1158(d)(6)</external-xref>) is amended by inserting <quote>, and, if the alien is ordered removed, may not be admitted to the United States during the 10-year period beginning on the date of the alien’s departure or removal</quote> before the period at the end.</text></subsection></section><section id="id82e24e50e0c5402f84315c34cbc31f4b"><enum>502.</enum><header>Credible fear and expedited removal</header><subsection id="idb4f949d68cfb475eb6cb76a166f2caf5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Higher credible fear standard</header><text>Section 235(b)(1)(B)(v) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1225">8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(1)(B)(v)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idbc930bae17b541bdaf07d793bd8bef5c"><clause id="id9033bb26ffce4e10b5be05be644e7bd9"><enum>(v)</enum><header>Credible fear of persecution defined</header><text>For purposes of this subparagraph, the term <term>credible fear of persecution</term> means that, taking into account the credibility of the statements made by the alien in support of the alien’s claim, as determined pursuant to section 208(b)(1)(B)(iii), and such other facts as are known to the officer, the alien more likely than not could establish eligibility for asylum under section 208, and, more likely than not, the statements made by, and on behalf of, the alien in support of the alien’s claim are true.</text></clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="id120fb791472c4c6fb78f965b86ba4a8f"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Recording and quality assurance</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id99936fdac53b47da98b9fd315727ef18"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 235(b)(1)(B) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1225">8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(1)(B)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id19fd9cd59bfc4f7c9bb3605779df6a3b"><clause id="id10575d76e3314606bc88fd49533e2f1a"><enum>(vi)</enum><header>Recording and quality assurance</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall—</text><subclause id="id23dfa208709345e0aebd2e878fc5d78d"><enum>(I)</enum><text>establish quality-assurance procedures to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that questions asked by employees of the Department of Homeland Security exercising expedited-removal authority under this section are asked in a uniform manner and that both such questions and the answers provided in response are recorded in a uniform manner;</text></subclause><subclause id="id6b66c86cbf6b4152981d499cad4f83db"><enum>(II)</enum><text>provide to immigration officers exercising decision-making authority in interviews under this subparagraph a checklist of standard questions and concepts to be addressed in all such interviews;</text></subclause><subclause id="ide6000d54f3464bee9a96f97a6bdff1b2"><enum>(III)</enum><text>require that such checklists be routinely updated to reflect relevant changes in law and procedure and, at a minimum, require concise written justifications of the officer’s decision whether credible fear of persecution was or was not established;</text></subclause><subclause id="idb909228ebd31477ca866ce9e85e77c4b"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>where practicable, ensure that any sworn or signed written statement taken of an alien as part of the record of a proceeding under subparagraph (A) is accompanied by a recording of the interview that served as the basis for that statement;</text></subclause><subclause id="iddd2b7dcbe1674b3194a7e160fe748ab1"><enum>(V)</enum><text>ensure that a competent interpreter, not affiliated with the government of the country from which the alien may claim asylum, is used when the interviewing officer does not speak a language understood by the alien;</text></subclause><subclause id="id8d3052b6f2c441b2995e701a54d635e4"><enum>(VI)</enum><text>ensure that there is an audio or audiovisual recording of interviews of aliens subject to expedited removal under this paragraph; and</text></subclause><subclause id="idd1e3a418e5234909b51508d010f87d4d"><enum>(VII)</enum><text>include any recording under subclause (VI) in the record of proceeding, where practicable, and permit such recording to be considered in any further proceeding involving the alien.</text></subclause></clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8fc306dc9b5642a7a2c07ba45ff87ca7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this subsection, or the amendment made by this subsection, shall be construed to create any right, benefit, trust, or responsibility, whether substantive or procedural, enforceable in law or equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, instrumentalities, entities, officers, employees, or agents, or any other person, nor shall such section or amendment be construed to create any right of review in any administrative, judicial, or other proceeding.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id761ddc5886fa4836945b2025221455c8"><enum>503.</enum><header>Family detention</header><subsection id="ideedfa29da8fd4b45b7d3dbf84d98546d"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 235 of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1232">8 U.S.C. 1232</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id277d9c2febfc4f83aa2309dfe379cbea"><subsection id="id3fed06d5e06b4c31bf61263483778a07"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Construction</header><paragraph id="idcc7b9ff6e35644e481510e7b16aa4f95"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, judicial determination, consent decree, or settlement agreement—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id298578db2f554aeaa1a550bef963b046"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the detention of any alien child who is not an unaccompanied alien child shall be governed by sections 217, 235, 236, and 241 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1187">8 U.S.C. 1187</external-xref>, 1225, 1226, 1231); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6aab13590c9f4f1694482d48a0350510"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">there is no presumption that an alien child who is not an unaccompanied alien child should not be detained.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idd8ef39cacd7941a2a06dab582e36b9c2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Family detention</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall—</text><subparagraph id="id880f14ba2681475b9ad91ba39a30cbeb"><enum>(A)</enum><text>maintain the care and custody of any alien who—</text><clause id="idd76a572cc115481d95d43aad4319bc77"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is charged only with a misdemeanor offense under section 275(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1325">8 U.S.C. 1325(a)</external-xref>); and</text></clause><clause id="id855e5e941eea419b83f0e74cd8c92dbb"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>entered the United States with the alien child of such alien, during the period during which such charge is pending; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id24258817006e4361a68ea5decf114c90"><enum>(B)</enum><text>detain the alien with the alien child of such alien.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida787084eeae3470f97e93a6262c2d875"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Alien child defined</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>alien child</term> means an individual who—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idef6db2dac4c447179aafff60bab4c2d7"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">has not attained 18 years of age; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id65c56e137e2641c58e3947c951a6622f"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">is an alien, as that term is defined in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1101">8 U.S.C. 1101(a)</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="ide47f0fc18be7407780e89383c12b9554"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Sense of Congress</header><text>It is the sense of Congress that the amendment made by subsection (a) is intended to satisfy the requirements of the Settlement Agreement in Flores v. Meese, No. 85–4544 (C.D. Cal.), as approved by the court on January 28, 1997, with respect to its interpretation in Flores v. Johnson, 212 F. Supp. 3d 864 (C.D. Cal. 2015), that the agreement applies to accompanied minors.</text></subsection><subsection id="idcef5a3aff8464b4cb5d7c12ef6f6111d"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Preemption of State licensing requirements</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, judicial determination, consent decree, or settlement agreement, no State may require that an immigration detention facility used to detain children who have not attained 18 years of age, or families consisting of 1 or more such children and the parents or legal guardians of such children, that is located in that State, be licensed by the State or any political subdivision thereof.</text></subsection><subsection id="idc00009f0da1947238d21d1a387739d41"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendment made by subsection (a) shall—</text><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd4d1e909212c4436ac5d1bc802e70bd1"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">take effect on the date of enactment of this Act; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd511a23acc0749a0b32bc6e78dea790f"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">apply to all actions that occur before, on, or after such date.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idf59f6a33b741455f8158efc8cdeda20e"><enum>504.</enum><header>Unaccompanied alien children</header><subsection id="ida2cda01957b74e2a9d8a65cf9595292d"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Repatriation and screening</header><text>Section 235(a) of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1232">8 U.S.C. 1232(a)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="id9bd3837bf3c642dfb5b46d7f94300152"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)—</text><subparagraph id="idb9b222dee6144a44813f4e757275dd5f"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the paragraph heading, by striking <header-in-text style="OLC" level="paragraph">Special rules for children from contiguous countries</header-in-text> and inserting <quote><header-in-text style="OLC" level="paragraph">Rules for unaccompanied alien children</header-in-text></quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idc7a8e147f47e4d03816f093cc5e31398"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A)—</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2de111572ee4431cb96629d9bc26d82f"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking <quote>who is a national or habitual resident of a country that is contiguous with the United States</quote>;</text></clause><clause id="idfde26cde1f65475ca053e7f73bd79246"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in clause (i), by inserting <quote>and</quote> after the semicolon;</text></clause><clause id="id4e65f48b5d214324aabd041fb6c18485"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>in clause (ii), by striking <quote>; and</quote> and inserting a period; and</text></clause><clause id="idcf1033d6865c490493807d01a0f2f428"> <enum>(iv)</enum> <text>by striking clause (iii); and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id12f36e6fe7f641c0b66c30ff5ab6052d"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B)—</text><clause id="id1d110100d0804a4ca567e0ddef788971"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking <quote>may</quote>;</text></clause><clause id="id0d8cc166ba2f4db5b4d6830a5f88278a"> <enum>(ii)</enum> <text>in clause (i), by inserting <quote>may</quote> before <quote>permit such child</quote>; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id6544cd1f797648d8a187e95e38d73e69">
<enum>(iii)</enum>
<text>in clause (ii), by inserting <quote>shall</quote> before <quote>return such child</quote>;</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id6cffcaae0dcd4ba59ff324e18f36950e"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (3), in the paragraph heading, by striking <quote><header-in-text style="OLC" level="paragraph">other children</header-in-text></quote> and inserting <quote><header-in-text style="OLC" level="paragraph">children not meeting paragraph (2)(A)</header-in-text></quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id61ad3a84d1564332882d78ec262fcd97"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in paragraph (5)(D)—</text><subparagraph id="idd86614a13e144f6e8ddcd62b4f1b7b51"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking <quote>, except for an unaccompanied alien child from a contiguous country subject to exceptions under subsection (a)(2),</quote> and inserting <quote>who does not meet the criteria listed in paragraph (2)(A)</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf9cb3c6a9e044b66be5eb2ab7b9ee309"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in clause (i), by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: <quote>, which shall include a hearing before an immigration judge not later than 14 days after being screened under paragraph (4)</quote>.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id0fb40a58ba9142c1ab38817e2b62a39e"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Custody, transfer, and notification</header><text>Section 235(b) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1232">8 U.S.C. 1232(b)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="id3ef38be1473c4eaaae7ca69c2d17f4a5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (2)—</text><subparagraph id="idab71c4ef746344f9b02b9c11e61c4466"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A), by inserting <quote>believed not to meet the criteria listed in subsection (a)(2)(A)</quote> before the semicolon at the end; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3bf1a5740c5c48f5baa399fa49230b9f"> <enum>(B)</enum> <text>in subparagraph (B), by inserting <quote> and does not meet the criteria listed in subsection (a)(2)(A)</quote> before the period at the end; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ide896d91359c64385a8cf4ba8cb397a26"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9005dad5e75f4516ad0c3861009d53af"><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5af41d625b81493a9b8faed963da7357"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Transfers of unaccompanied alien children</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except in the case of exceptional circumstances, any department or agency of the Federal Government that has an unaccompanied alien child in custody—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf529825c50b54b2793cc63a820d17db7"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall, in the case of a child who does not meet the criteria listed in subsection (a)(2)(A), transfer the custody of such child to the Secretary of Health and Human Services not later than 30 days after determining that such child is an unaccompanied alien child who does not meet such criteria; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id435a3f1f10ca4be2812b638de0f02cc8"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may, in the case of a child who meets the criteria listed in subsection (a)(2)(A), transfer the custody of such child to the Secretary of Health and Human Services after determining that such child is an unaccompanied alien child who meets such criteria.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ida8d08049cac342618995746216dc160a"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Information sharing and access to counsel</header><text>Section 235(c) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1232">8 U.S.C. 1232(c)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="ida9d4b2c9fbca4bbf88e0e86f2228db33"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (3)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd86309ef06e445799075aa5deb9b4537"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (A), by striking the second sentence and inserting <quote>Such determination shall, at a minimum, include verification of the identity of the proposed custodian, verification of the relationship of the proposed custodian to the child, if any, collection of information sufficient to identify and locate the proposed custodian and assess the suitability of the proposed placement, and an independent finding that the proposed custodian has not engaged in any activity that would indicate a potential risk of abuse, neglect, maltreatment, exploitation, or trafficking to the child.</quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id17823b71b4434ee3ab92368533aa2646"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B)—</text><clause id="idf82836fd3cd74492bcbb6c44313ce194"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in the first sentence, by striking <quote>first</quote>;</text></clause><clause id="idb3ca78df96cb4a079a426b322c4e33f8"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the second sentence—</text><subclause id="id212525facfe5494282874304ecfe92f3"><enum>(I)</enum><text>by striking <quote>special needs</quote>; and</text></subclause><subclause id="id30b002f2d8f2417bb56063093703e899"><enum>(II)</enum><text>by striking <quote>sponsor clearly presents a risk of abuse, maltreatment</quote> and inserting <quote>custodian clearly presents a risk of abuse, neglect, maltreatment</quote>; and</text></subclause></clause><clause id="id9de2a272596042a38aef9e31d77d3bf8"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>in the third sentence, by striking <quote>on children for whom a home study was conducted and is authorized to conduct follow-up services in cases involving children with mental health or other needs who could benefit from ongoing assistance from a social welfare agency</quote> and inserting <quote>for each child for whom a home study was conducted, and may conduct follow-up services in cases involving children with mental health needs or other needs who could benefit from continuing assistance from a social welfare agency</quote>;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id53713e3ad3c7400a81e7b4c0e4085a11"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by amending subparagraph (C) to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf5998c5f3eb74d6f84ac93101ab2e68a"><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida639e512acf143228259f8689ef96f79"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Access to information</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 14 days after receiving a request from the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide information necessary to conduct a safety and suitability assessment from appropriate Federal, State, and local law enforcement and immigration databases.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1726aaa8ccf64d10b42e4013d464c71d"><enum>(D)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ida7f08edc9d8f437d8bdc2bd390ea59f5"><subparagraph id="idec82cbb16d8a43f786182d053cf6b577"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Required placement information</header><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id36dababf71a24a9ca03daa6c359921da"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Before placing a child with an individual, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall obtain and provide to the Secretary of Homeland Security information regarding the proposed custodian, including—</text><subclause id="ida51373352a44490aa35bc5ea8ec3beab" indent="up1"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the full legal name of the proposed custodian;</text></subclause><subclause id="idcbea198c42424156a1561bd255f318c2" indent="up1"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the date of birth of the proposed custodian;</text></subclause><subclause id="ide8a5be0122934cc789e8e0457cd6104f" indent="up1"><enum>(III)</enum><text>the address of the residence at which the child will be placed;</text></subclause><subclause id="ida53f5d9ed50f49eb882743892c45c019" indent="up1"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>contact information for the proposed custodian;</text></subclause><subclause id="id20704784c1464f0ea5a201fa7113a1ba" indent="up1"><enum>(V)</enum><text>the relationship of the proposed custodian to the child, if any;</text></subclause><subclause id="id5f01a4fe22604eb689d375ae36479343" indent="up1"><enum>(VI)</enum><text>the Social Security number of the proposed custodian or, if no Social Security number has been issued to the proposed custodian, any alien registration number, I–94 number, passport number, or other immigration-related identifying number of the proposed custodian; and</text></subclause><subclause id="id376091a06b6640c69cf8f37f803a3d29" indent="up1"><enum>(VII)</enum><text>the immigration status asserted by the proposed custodian.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="id7d289260af834704a872811020d5deed" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>A child may not be placed with a proposed custodian unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services has obtained the information required under clause (i) and provided that information to the Secretary of Homeland Security.</text></clause><clause id="id8a696e0da0a543ba955f96754de19fde" indent="up1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Not later than 30 days after receiving the information described in clause (i), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, upon determining that the proposed custodian is unlawfully present in the United States and is not already in removal proceedings under chapter 4 of title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1221">8 U.S.C. 1221 et seq.</external-xref>), initiate such proceedings.</text></clause><clause id="idc311e9b9aedc4687ae5e1526fd4083d4" indent="up1"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>The proposed custodian shall be ineligible to receive placement of a child under this section if the proposed custodian provides materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent information under clause (i), unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that exceptional circumstances warrant otherwise.</text></clause></subparagraph> <after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idbb15c4a2a802484b90069dbce35ceffb"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (5), by striking <quote>have counsel to represent them</quote> and inserting <quote>have access to counsel, at no expense to the Government, to represent them</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idf031caa0fdde41f095af279edb2a4af8"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply to any unaccompanied alien child (as such term is defined in section 462(g) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/279">6 U.S.C. 279(g)</external-xref>)) apprehended on or after the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section><enum>VI</enum><header>Employment eligibility verification and labor protections</header><section id="id0fb4d14c3c01408599379862d8480756"><enum>601.</enum><header>Employment eligibility verification</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">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>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="ida75055a25f3c49a8ba2686cdf6f7a0ad"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3815be5ddade4715ab929ade0114df3b"><subsection id="id88c2dd0cdb8f4481b879be21e0d1df6f"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Employment eligibility verification process</header><paragraph id="idd0566b8e950b4cd3bd88794d93c0cec1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Identity verification required</header><text>Each person, employer, or other entity that hires, recruits, or refers individuals for employment in the United States, at the time of hiring, shall verify each individual’s identity and employment authorization by examining the required documentation.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idc5ac3bb8b8704597bb3d6d03cfc718a0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>E-verify</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall maintain, at no cost to users, an electronic employment eligibility verification system (referred to in this subsection as <quote>E–Verify</quote>) that—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide9072b9b569649cfbbc0edcdb57063a7"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">allows participating employers to confirm an individual’s identity and lawful status to work in the United States, as recorded in Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration databases;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id19a37e1055fd4be288843451bdceb9d1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>includes a basic verification service that compares the information from an individual’s employment eligibility documents against Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ida42ed6ab48324f33a244dd3ac2196862"><enum>(C)</enum><text>an identity authentication service that confirms the individual’s identity for purposes of fraud prevention and national security.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="iddda699d6c5554de48e3da958b9475b0a"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Mandatory enrollment</header><text>Each person hiring a new employee shall enroll in and use E-Verify to confirm each employee’s identity and work authorization not later than the date on which the relevant employee completes his or her Form I–9.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id7da54dbfbd774e43866ca831c606465a"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Effect of nonconfirmation</header><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id325f09751eae47c1a687b6f81973141a"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If E-Verify does not automatically confirm an individual’s authorization to work, the employer shall—</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9d5e9bddef864745b3458ac0b6a45b7c"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">treat such individual as provisionally authorized under this subsection (as in effect on the date before the enactment of the <short-title>ASSIMILATION Act</short-title>); and</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id938e267b2f534f479c9c70bc17db6340"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">notify Department of Homeland Security of such nonconfirmation within the period specified in a regulation promulgated pursuant to paragraph (7).</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9adf4a05eb484bd6839d4b596ccb2cd3"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Unlawful employment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An individual who is not ultimately confirmed by E-Verify shall be deemed to be unlawfully employed in the United States after the expiration of the provisional period.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id70a31725343f42ff9b8dbe89bb485305"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Penalties for violations</header><text>A person or entity may be subject to civil or criminal penalties under this section only for violations related to an individual’s identity or work authorization if the person or entity—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id74a16548bab744e888d70551ec158c64"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">had actual knowledge of such violation; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id68e4394c3d794a3aa8ff599bc652e591"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">failed to timely update the employment verification information upon receiving notice of a discrepancy.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id2b93965569834265a0b6e8c4c41c44a2"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Good-faith compliance</header><text>Good-faith compliance with system procedures (including proper completion of the E-Verify process) shall be a valid defense to any claim of a paperwork violation under this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ida88099a4909842eeaaee198e4336bea0"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Rulemaking</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall promulgate regulations that prescribe appropriate procedures for operating and using of E-Verify, including measures to safeguard privacy and to resolve system errors or mismatches.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="idce39f61a07b14c43937b28904a6f9e3b"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idc8465868a40341d5b2556b6191f72040"><subsection id="id76e2d37c8e3f45eab88024777cefad75"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Enrollment and system requirements</header><paragraph id="id01a804ee3eae493c8302d6fec5611ed7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Registration; compliance</header><text>All employers subject to subsection (b) shall—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idadee6ed56d0c4fa99a16ea556cad7498"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">register with through E–Verify; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd402f1a2d10247bf976850b262e9f492"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">comply with all applicable E-Verify requirements for all new hires in the United States.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id0a85d8b3eadf4613bf49955c57371231"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Availability</header><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idf954b05df31d4b59b3a6d7323809b8a8"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">E-Verify is available to employers 24 hours each day; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idd53affb47d6242f2aed78d0721eb95e5"> <enum>(B)</enum> <text display-inline="yes-display-inline">use of E-Verify does not cause significant delays in the hiring process.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id7fa01f8c0b9c4a4da1b57fe9b45a905c"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Notification</header><text>All employers subject to subsection (b) shall inform employees of the use of E-Verify and the results of the verification for each such employee, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (b)(7).</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section><section id="idc09475cf99084440aa650b129a9ce92d"><enum>602.</enum><header>H–2a wage methodology</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 218(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1188">8 U.S.C. 1188(a)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id93967ab976324e70b9b09860ea842b3f"><paragraph id="idda7614180ddc47e095c6aabc422e3e2a" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id2bf71adb9fe44edfa9d118ebd19eec43"> <enum>(A)</enum> <text>in determining the wage rates to be paid to H–2A workers under this subsection, the Secretary of Labor shall use a wage-rate methodology that ensures—</text>
<clause indent="up1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id43388f101ea44b8d947b803c9e8b9e38">
<enum>(i)</enum>
<text display-inline="yes-display-inline">such workers are not paid less than a wage rate that would adversely affect similarly employed United States workers; and</text>
</clause>
<clause indent="up1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ide66e6daa81f044059ce8a265bd881007">
<enum>(ii)</enum>
<text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the wage rate for such workers is not less than the highest of—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4d85da49c81941c1a1932ffef860964e">
<enum>(I)</enum>
<text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the prevailing wage in the area of intended employment for the occupation code, as determined under regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Labor;</text>
</subclause>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1b0adfdd03124cf5901a61197df4940b">
<enum>(II)</enum>
<text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the applicable Federal or State minimum wage; and</text>
</subclause>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id580abda6e0c64f50a0c3b27c80ec603b">
<enum>(III)</enum>
<text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the average hourly wage paid to United States workers in the same occupation code and area of intended employment (based on recent official data), rounded up to the next whole dollar.</text>
</subclause>
</clause>
</subparagraph><subparagraph indent="up1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4efbbe338c024ed8bd8609d40be96257"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Labor—</text><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id17d0d9ae5b8f46508c648932b380836d"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall publish the applicable wage rates for each occupation code and area of intended employment before the beginning of each agricultural season; and</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id99bfc1c0e4b846908ce31b147c871826"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may update such rates at least annually.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph indent="up1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7e68567a5ada479cbff2288ea432ca9c"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">This paragraph may be enforced in the same manner as any other wage requirements under this section.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section><enum>VII</enum><header>Conforming amendments; reports; effective dates; applicability; severability</header><section id="ided3e684b8a1d436d9f2b4dd7792960b8"><enum>701.</enum><header>Reports</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to Congress a report on the economic impact, assimilation rates, and public-charge incidences associated with the amendments made by this Act.</text></section><section id="idb48b059ac3924c1e9cad93fdb3c268a4"><enum>702.</enum><header>Effective dates</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act, unless otherwise provided in this Act.</text></section><section id="id2180167a5a6947b7a9b6ab486752e0f5"><enum>703.</enum><header>Applicability and transition provisions</header><subsection id="id301ab098636440caa24d6d6523aea512"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Invalidated petitions and applications</header><text>Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, any petition, application, or other request for immigration status, classification, benefit, or relief filed under any immigration category, classification, or provision repealed by this Act is void as of the effective date of the repeal.</text></subsection><subsection id="id4e456a12d1654a1b861c70180e849b11"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Pending matters</header><text>Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, any petition, application, or other request for immigration status, classification, benefit, or relief pending on the date of the enactment of this Act shall be adjudicated, denied, terminated, or otherwise resolved in accordance with this Act and the amendments made by this Act.</text></subsection><subsection id="id5c16406491ed473497f8a32c9f26a62f"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Previously issued visas</header><text>Nothing in this section may be construed to invalidate a visa issued before the date of the enactment of this Act unless expressly provided in this Act.</text></subsection><subsection id="id45b40806108641fead30b7137b19ad7f"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Diversity immigrant visas</header><text>In the case of a diversity immigrant visa under section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1153">8 U.S.C. 1153(c)</external-xref>), section 202(c) of such Act shall control.</text></subsection></section><section id="idea0ac0e6afad41e7b44b728f5a80417d" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>704.</enum><header>Severability</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">If any provision of this Act, an amendment made by this Act, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance, is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act, the amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provisions of such to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.</text></section>