U.S. Citizenship Act

Hozzl · 2025-01-04T11:17:50Z

Explore the details of House Bill 3194 U.S. Citizenship Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Immigration. Stay informed on legislative developments.

1/4/2025, 11:17 AM

Summary of Bill HR 3194

The U.S. Citizenship Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 3194, is a comprehensive piece of legislation introduced in the United States Congress. The bill aims to reform the country's immigration system and provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States.

Key provisions of the U.S. Citizenship Act include:

1. Pathway to Citizenship: The bill outlines a process for undocumented immigrants to apply for legal status and eventually become U.S. citizens. This pathway includes meeting certain eligibility requirements, such as passing background checks and paying taxes. 2. Dreamers and TPS Holders: The bill includes provisions to protect Dreamers (young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, allowing them to apply for permanent residency and eventually citizenship. 3. Border Security: The U.S. Citizenship Act also addresses border security by implementing new technology and infrastructure to enhance border surveillance and enforcement. 4. Family Reunification: The bill prioritizes family reunification by reducing visa backlogs and streamlining the process for family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents to immigrate to the United States. 5. Employment-Based Immigration: The bill aims to modernize the employment-based immigration system by eliminating per-country caps and expanding visa opportunities for highly skilled workers. Overall, the U.S. Citizenship Act seeks to create a more fair and efficient immigration system that upholds American values of inclusivity and opportunity. The bill has garnered support from both Democrats and Republicans, although it faces challenges in Congress as lawmakers debate the specifics of the legislation.

Congressional Summary of HR 3194

U.S. Citizenship Act

This bill establishes a path to citizenship for certain undocumented individuals. The bill also replaces the term alien with noncitizen in the immigration statutes and addresses other related issues.

Specifically, the bill establishes a new status of lawful prospective immigrant. This status shall be available to an applying noncitizen who meets certain requirements, including being continually present in the United States from January 1, 2023, and passing background checks. After at least five years with this status, an eligible noncitizen may apply for and receive lawful permanent resident status.

The bill also provides permanent resident status to certain applying noncitizens, specifically for eligible noncitizens who (1) entered the United States as a minor, (2) were eligible for temporary protected status or deferred enforced departure on January 1, 2017, or (3) worked a certain amount of agricultural labor in the five years before applying.

Among other things, the bill also

redefines for immigration purposes the term conviction to exclude convictions that have been expunged or vacated,
requires the Department of State to implement a strategy to advance reforms in Central America and address key factors contributing to migration from the region to the United States,
requires the State Department to establish refugee processing centers in Central America,
requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection sectors and stations to have a certain number of employees with certain qualifications such as paramedic training,
generally prohibits religious discrimination in granting or denying immigration benefits, and
establishes grant programs for providing training and services to immigrants.

Read the Full Bill

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Current Status of Bill HR 3194

Bill HR 3194 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since May 10, 2023. Bill HR 3194 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on May 10, 2023. Bill HR 3194's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade. as of December 17, 2024

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 3194

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

234

Democrat Cosponsors

234

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 3194

Primary Policy Focus

Immigration

Potential Impact Areas

Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAdult education and literacyAdvanced technology and technological innovationsAdvisory bodiesAfghanistanAgricultural prices, subsidies, creditAlternative and renewable resourcesAlternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitrationArizonaAsiaAssault and harassment offensesAviation and airportsBorder security and unlawful immigrationBusiness educationCaliforniaChild healthChild safety and welfareCitizenship and naturalizationCivil actions and liabilityCompetitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficitsConflicts and warsCongressional oversightCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentCrime preventionCrime victimsCrimes against womenCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencingCustoms enforcementDepartment of Homeland SecurityDepartment of JusticeDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadDisaster relief and insuranceDomestic violence and child abuseDrug trafficking and controlled substancesEconomic developmentEducation programs fundingEducational facilities and institutionsEl SalvadorElementary and secondary educationEmergency communications systemsEmergency medical services and trauma careEmployee hiringEmployee performanceEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchExecutive agency funding and structureFamily relationshipsFinancial services and investmentsFood supply, safety, and labelingForeign aid and international reliefForeign and international bankingForeign laborForeign language and bilingual programsFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsGuatemalaHealth personnelHealth technology, devices, suppliesHigher educationHondurasHousing and community development fundingHousing finance and home ownershipHuman rightsHuman traffickingImmigration status and proceduresIndian lands and resources rightsIntergovernmental relationsInternational organizations and cooperationIraqJudicial procedure and administrationJudicial review and appealsLabor standardsLatin AmericaLaw enforcement administration and fundingLaw enforcement officersLawyers and legal servicesLicensing and registrationsMarine and inland water transportationMarriage and family statusMedical educationMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMexicoMiddle EastMigrant, seasonal, agricultural laborMotor carriersMotor vehiclesNatural disastersNorthern Mariana IslandsNutrition and dietOrganized crimePedestrians and bicyclingPerformance measurementPhilippinesPoverty and welfare assistancePublic contracts and procurementRacial and ethnic relationsRailroadsRefugees, asylum, displaced personsReligionRight of privacyRule of law and government transparencyRural conditions and developmentSex offensesSex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSmall businessSmuggling and traffickingSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusState and local government operationsSyriaTax administration and collection, taxpayersTeaching, teachers, curriculaTechnology assessmentTelephone and wireless communicationTexasTransportation safety and securityTravel and tourismU.S. territories and protectoratesUnited NationsUser charges and feesViolent crimeVisas and passportsWages and earningsWater use and supplyWestern HemisphereWomen's employmentWomen's healthYouth employment and child labor

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 3194

U.S. Citizenship ActU.S. Citizenship ActFilipino Veterans Family Reunification ActTo provide an earned path to citizenship, to address the root causes of migration and responsibly manage the southern border, and to reform the immigrant visa system, and for other purposes.

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