Lev Kobrin
09-20-2004, 08:02 AM
House Subcommittee Votes to Eliminate Diversity Visa Program; Approves I-9 Recordkeeping Bill
On September 14, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security and Claims marked-up two immigration-related bills, H.R. 775 and H.R. 4306.
The first bill (H.R. 775), introduced by Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), would completely eliminate the diversity visa program, which was created to ensure that our nation benefited from the contributions of a diverse group of immigrants who shared the American dream. At a time when legal immigration channels are needed to improve our national security and regularize our cross border flow, this bill goes in the opposite direction and would eliminate one of the few legal channels by which foreign nationals may migrate to the U.S.
H.R. 775 was approved in the subcommittee by a 5 to 3 vote and referred to the full Judiciary committee for review. Voting for the bill were Chairman John Hostettler (R-IN), Representatives Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Elton Gallegly (R-CA), Steve King (R-IA), and Melissa Hart (R-PA). Voting against the bill were Ranking Member Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). It is unclear how or if H.R. 775 will move through Congress. We will report further on any progression this bill may make.
The second bill (H.R. 4306), introduced by Representative Chris Cannon (R-UT), enjoys bipartisan support. This bill would amend section 247A of the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow employers to maintain electronic or paper I-9 forms that verify an employee’s work eligibility. An approved amendment to H.R. 4306 also added microfiche and microfilm as permissible forms of retention. This bill was approved by voice vote and referred to the full Judiciary committee for review.
On September 14, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security and Claims marked-up two immigration-related bills, H.R. 775 and H.R. 4306.
The first bill (H.R. 775), introduced by Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), would completely eliminate the diversity visa program, which was created to ensure that our nation benefited from the contributions of a diverse group of immigrants who shared the American dream. At a time when legal immigration channels are needed to improve our national security and regularize our cross border flow, this bill goes in the opposite direction and would eliminate one of the few legal channels by which foreign nationals may migrate to the U.S.
H.R. 775 was approved in the subcommittee by a 5 to 3 vote and referred to the full Judiciary committee for review. Voting for the bill were Chairman John Hostettler (R-IN), Representatives Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Elton Gallegly (R-CA), Steve King (R-IA), and Melissa Hart (R-PA). Voting against the bill were Ranking Member Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). It is unclear how or if H.R. 775 will move through Congress. We will report further on any progression this bill may make.
The second bill (H.R. 4306), introduced by Representative Chris Cannon (R-UT), enjoys bipartisan support. This bill would amend section 247A of the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow employers to maintain electronic or paper I-9 forms that verify an employee’s work eligibility. An approved amendment to H.R. 4306 also added microfiche and microfilm as permissible forms of retention. This bill was approved by voice vote and referred to the full Judiciary committee for review.