Immigration Bills

S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, was a massive immigration reform bill, introduced by the 'Gang of 8' that would result in approximately 30 million new permanent work permits issued in the first 10 years if passed. The bill would grant legal status and worker permits to an estimated 11 million illegal aliens with an opportunity for green cards after 10 years and replace some family-based immigration categories with a merit-based points system.

S. 1258, Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2011, would allow Liberian refugees to transition from Temporary Protected Status to permanent resident status, even though the conflict in Liberia has long since ended.

H.R. 2185, the Refugee Protection Act, would eliminate the 1-year application deadline for asylum, thus allowing more opportunities to enter in the United States. In addition, it would waive the inadmissibility ban for certain terrorist activities and would require new detention facilities to be located within 50 miles of a major city. Furthermore, it would expedite and make the overall process for asylum seekers more comfortable by providing them with full medical care, housing, legal representation, toiletries, medication, long distance phone calls, and translators.

H.R. 1941, Liberian Refugee Immigration Protection Act of 2007, would grant permanent lawful resident status to Liberian national aliens (including those present in the United States who have been ordered excluded, deported, removed, or ordered to depart voluntarily) who were eligible for Temporary Protected Status

S. 644, the Widows and Orphans Act, would increase asylum claims by creating a new special immigrant visa category for an unlimited number of women and children who are at risk of harm due to their gender and age. While it is difficult to estimate the numeric impact of this legislation, it is easy to imagine it would double the current 10,000 asylees who are allowed to become permanent residents each year.