Official Bill Info

• Latest Action: May 20, 2009 Introduced in Senate

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  I know the most recent action for this bill is as follows: "Introduced in Senate" on May 20, 2009
• Committee Assignment: Senate Judiciary

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  This bill has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary committee.

Bill Statistics on OpenCongress

Contribution Data

OpenCongress Bill Summary

• This legislation would reform the family-based immigration system and speed up the process for family members of legal immigrants to secure visas. Specifically, it would reclassify spouses and children of legal immigrants as immediate relatives, raise the per-country family-sponsored and employment-based immigration limits from 7 percent to 10 percent of total admissions, recapture visas that went unused in previous years due to bureaucratic errors, allow widows and spouses to remain eligible for visas after the death of a sponsoring family member, and more.

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  Here's a summary from OpenCongress.org: This legislation would reform the family-based immigration system and speed up the process for family members of legal immigrants to secure visas. Specifically, it would reclassify spouses and children of legal immigrants as immediate relatives, raise the per-country family-sponsored and employment-based immigration limits from 7 percent to 10 percent of total admissions, recapture visas that went unused in previous years due to bureaucratic errors, allow widows and spouses to remain eligible for visas after the death of a sponsoring family member, and more.

Supporting Organizations

• National Council of La Raza

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  I know that the organization National Council of La Raza supports S.1085
• National Immigration Forum

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  I know that the organization National Immigration Forum supports S.1085
• Japanese American Citizens League

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• Church World Service

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• Human Rights Campaign

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• Christian Reformed Church

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  I know that the organization Christian Reformed Church supports S.1085
• United Church of Christ

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• NETWORK

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  I know that the organization NETWORK supports S.1085
• Asian American Justice Center

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• National Center for Lesbian Rights

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  I know that the organization National Center for Lesbian Rights supports S.1085
• American Immigration Lawyers Association

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  I know that the organization American Immigration Lawyers Association supports S.1085
• Mexican American Legal Defense Fund

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  I know that the organization Mexican American Legal Defense Fund supports S.1085
• United Methodist Church

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  I know that the organization United Methodist Church supports S.1085
• National Organization for Women

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  I know that the organization National Organization for Women supports S.1085
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

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  I know that the organization United States Conference of Catholic Bishops supports S.1085

Most-commented sections of the bill text

• S 1085 IS (2 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "S 1085 IS",
• To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to promote family unity, and for other purposes. (2 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to promote family unity, and for other purposes.",
• (a) In General- Section 201(b)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)) is amended to read as follows: (1 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "(a) In General- Section 201(b)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)) is amended to read as follows:",
• ‘(F) Aliens who are eligible for an immigrant visa under paragraph (1) or (3) of section 203(a) and who have a parent who was naturalized pursuant to section 405 of the Immigration Act of 1990 (8 U.S.C. 1440 note).’. (1 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "‘(F) Aliens who are eligible for an immigrant visa under paragraph (1) or (3) of section 203(a) and who have a parent who was naturalized pursuant to section 405 of the Immigration Act of 1990 (8 U.S.C. 1440 note).’.",

Highest Rated User Comments

• On May 27, 2009, by ajaykataria - This bill helps the U.S. economy by - 1. Relieving the emotional stress on families that are waiting to re-unite, and hence helping them be more productive. A happy family can make decisions about job, career and other matters that will make them a more productive contributor to the society and economy. 2. The bill DOES NOT invite more immigrants to the U.S. that would challenge the American workforce. It merely helps make life easier for immigrants that are already in the U.S. and are already legal, tax-paying contributors to the economy. 3. The bill DOES NOT require a major shift in immigration policy. It is merely asking to adjust for some bureaucratic delays that were not intended to happen as part of the immigration law.

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  As noted by ajaykataria, a user on OpenCongress.org, on May 27, 2009, "This bill helps the U.S. economy by - 1. Relieving the emotional stress on families that are waiting to re-unite, and hence helping them be more productive. A happy family can make decisions about job, career and other matters that will make them a more productive contributor to the society and economy. 2. The bill DOES NOT invite more immigrants to the U.S. that would challenge the American workforce. It merely helps make life easier for immigrants that are already in the U.S. and are already legal, tax-paying contributors to the economy. 3. The bill DOES NOT require a major shift in immigration policy. It is merely asking to adjust for some bureaucratic delays that were not intended to happen as part of the immigration law."
• On May 27, 2009, by karmayogi - Yes this bill will go a long way in addressing the severe backlogs faced by talented professionals and scientists who have been waiting LEGALLY in the queue for ages without compromising the rights and opportunities of citizens of this country. Justice for all.

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  As noted by karmayogi, a user on OpenCongress.org, on May 27, 2009, "Yes this bill will go a long way in addressing the severe backlogs faced by talented professionals and scientists who have been waiting LEGALLY in the queue for ages without compromising the rights and opportunities of citizens of this country. Justice for all."
• On May 30, 2009, by zeb1 - This bill will help to create the great number of jobs,when many individuals who are stuck for their Green cards, may get promoted or start the business, buy houses, if they get GC, which will contribute a big help to strengthen the economy.

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  As noted by zeb1, a user on OpenCongress.org, on May 30, 2009, "This bill will help to create the great number of jobs,when many individuals who are stuck for their Green cards, may get promoted or start the business, buy houses, if they get GC, which will contribute a big help to strengthen the economy."

Highly Rated Blog Articles

• S.388: A bill to prohibit Members of Congress and the President ... - February 15, 2011 by opencongress.org - Users opposing H.Con.Res.25 (1) are also: Supporting Bill, Supporting Senator. S.388 S.388. 1 · H.R.204 Congressional Pay Cut... 1 · S.1085 Reuniting Families Ac.. ... -. Source: opencongress.org ... -

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  As noted by opencongress.org on February 15, 2011, "Users opposing H.Con.Res.25 (1) are also: Supporting Bill, Supporting Senator. S.388 S.388. 1 · H.R.204 Congressional Pay Cut... 1 · S.1085 Reuniting Families Ac.. ... -. Source: opencongress.org ... - " (http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-s388/show)
• Arts, bank, kaas, partij, suiker: welk woord hoort in dit rijtje ... - November 22, 2010 by VKBlog - HWPh Bd. 11, S. 1085)] VERVOLG HOOFDARTIKEL NRC H 'Dat is een ongezonde situatie. Zeker voor een partij die bijna eenzesde van het electoraat vertegenwoordigt en met 24 zetels in de Tweede Kamer het lot van het kabinet in handen heeft. ...

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  As noted by VKBlog on November 22, 2010, "HWPh Bd. 11, S. 1085)] VERVOLG HOOFDARTIKEL NRC H 'Dat is een ongezonde situatie. Zeker voor een partij die bijna eenzesde van het electoraat vertegenwoordigt en met 24 zetels in de Tweede Kamer het lot van het kabinet in handen heeft. ..." (http://www.vkblog.nl/bericht/357374/Arts,_bank,_kaas,_partij,_suiker%3A_welk_woord_hoort_in_dit_rijtje_niet_thuis%3F_Antwoord%3A_partij)
• S.3961: E-Rulemaking Act of 2010 - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress - November 15, 2010 by Open Congress : Senate Homeland Security... - Bills, People. H.R.4321 Comprehensive Immigra... 1 · H.R.3200 America's Affordable ... 1 · H.R.264 Save America Comprehe... 1 · S.3217 Restoring American Fi... 1 · S.1085 Reuniting Families Ac.. ...

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  As noted by Open Congress : Senate Homeland Security... on November 15, 2010, "Bills, People. H.R.4321 Comprehensive Immigra... 1 · H.R.3200 America's Affordable ... 1 · H.R.264 Save America Comprehe... 1 · S.3217 Restoring American Fi... 1 · S.1085 Reuniting Families Ac.. ..." (http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s3961/show)

Highly Rated News Articles

• Comienzan a impacientarse los Activistas - June 18, 2009 by El Dia News - Ley de Reunificación Familiar - En el Senado presentó el proyecto S. 1085 el senador demócrata Robert Menéndez de New Jersey. ...

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  As noted by El Dia News on June 18, 2009, "Ley de Reunificación Familiar - En el Senado presentó el proyecto S. 1085 el senador demócrata Robert Menéndez de New Jersey. ..." (http://www.eldianews.com/?nwid=4260)
• NY-Sen: Gillibrand Votes For Anti-Tobacco Measure, Introduces ... - June 14, 2009 by Daily Kos - The Reuniting Families Act (S.1085) will help build upon moves made by President Barack Obama that allows families to stay an additional two years should ...

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  As noted by Daily Kos on June 14, 2009, "The Reuniting Families Act (S.1085) will help build upon moves made by President Barack Obama that allows families to stay an additional two years should ..." (http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/6/15/742816/-NY-Sen:-Gillibrand-Votes-For-Anti-Tobacco-Measure,-Introduces-Immigration-Bill)
• Honda Introduces Bill to Unite Immigrant Families - June 03, 2009 by National Iranian American Council - The bill is a companion measure to S. 1085, proposed by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) two weeks ago. Sen. Menendez and Rep. Honda both contributed to an ...

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  As noted by National Iranian American Council on June 03, 2009, "The bill is a companion measure to S. 1085, proposed by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) two weeks ago. Sen. Menendez and Rep. Honda both contributed to an ..." (http://www.niacouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1435&Itemid=2)