The bill would remove annual visa limits for U visas and special immigrant juvenile visas. It would require work authorization for people with pending applications or petitions in several victim-based immigration categories, generally no later than 180 days after filing or when the application is approved, whichever comes first. It would also protect certain applicants from removal while their cases are reviewed, create a presumption of release from detention that may be rebutted under specific conditions, and strengthen rules against sharing information from covered applications.
Eligible U visa, T visa, VAWA self-petition, special immigrant juvenile, and certain other applicants could receive work authorization while waiting for a decision. Covered applicants could not be removed until their case receives a final denial after administrative and judicial review. The bill would also presume that certain covered people in detention should be released, unless the Secretary of Homeland Security rebuts that presumption with clear and convincing evidence.
No publicly available information.
The bill states that its purpose is to remove barriers to protections for immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes. Its findings say that work authorization and protection from removal can help survivors seek safety and access justice.
No publicly available information.