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EB5 extension passes through Congress

Yesterday, S.3245 passed to extend 4 immigration programs: EB5, Special Immigrant Non-Immigrant Program, Conrad State 30 J-visa waiver program and the e-verify program.  The bill is now pending signature from President Obama to become law. Please see our previous post when the bill passed Senate.

The EB5 program is now set to sunset on September 30, 2015.

The text of the bill is copied below:

S 3245 RFH 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3245

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 3, 2012

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned


AN ACT

To extend by 3 years the authorization of the EB-5 Regional Center Program, the E-Verify Program, the Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious Worker Program, and the Conrad State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. REAUTHORIZATION OF EB-5 REGIONAL CENTER PROGRAM.

Section 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (8 U.S.C. 1153 note) is amended–

(1) by striking ‘pilot’ each place such term appears; and

(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘September 30, 2012’ and inserting ‘September 30, 2015’.

SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF E-VERIFY.

Section 401(b) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a note) is amended by striking ‘September 30, 2012’ and inserting ‘September 30, 2015’.

SEC. 3. REAUTHORIZATION OF SPECIAL IMMIGRANT NONMINISTER RELIGIOUS WORKER PROGRAM.

Section 101(a)(27)(C)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(C)(ii)) is amended–

(1) in subclause (II), by striking ‘September 30, 2012’ and inserting ‘September 30, 2015’; and

(2) in subclause (III), by striking ‘September 30, 2012’ and inserting ‘September 30, 2015’.

SEC. 4. REAUTHORIZATION OF CONRAD STATE 30 J-1 VISA WAIVER PROGRAM.

Section 220(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994 (8 U.S.C. 1182 note) is amended by striking ‘September 30, 2012’ and inserting ‘September 30, 2015’.

SEC. 5. NO AUTHORITY FOR NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD.

Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize the planning, testing, piloting, or development of a national identification card.

Passed the Senate August 2, 2012.

Attest:

NANCY ERICKSON,

Secretary.