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Citizenship for Essential Workers Act
1/9/2024, 6:39 PM
Summary of Bill HR 3043
Essential workers, such as healthcare workers, grocery store employees, and delivery drivers, have played a crucial role in keeping the country running during these challenging times. Many of these workers are immigrants who may not have legal status in the United States. The Citizenship for Essential Workers Act aims to recognize the contributions of these individuals by offering them a chance to become citizens.
Under this bill, essential workers who have been in the United States for a certain period of time and meet certain criteria would be eligible to apply for citizenship. This includes demonstrating good moral character, passing a background check, and paying any necessary fees. The bill also includes provisions to protect essential workers from deportation while their applications are being processed. Supporters of the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act argue that these individuals have risked their health and safety to keep the country running and deserve the opportunity to become citizens. They also believe that providing a pathway to citizenship for essential workers will help strengthen communities and the economy. Opponents of the bill may argue that it rewards individuals who have entered the country illegally and could encourage further illegal immigration. They may also raise concerns about the potential impact on the country's immigration system and resources. Overall, the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act is a proposed piece of legislation that seeks to provide a pathway to citizenship for essential workers who have been working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is currently being debated in Congress, and its fate remains uncertain.
Congressional Summary of HR 3043
Citizenship for Essential Workers Act
This bill establishes a mechanism for eligible non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) who worked as essential workers during the declared COVID-19 public health emergency to apply for and obtain lawful permanent resident status (sometimes referred to as a green card). The bill also narrows certain grounds for deportability and inadmissibility.
To be eligible for a green card under this bill, an individual must have earned income at any point during the COVID-19 emergency period doing work deemed essential by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or a state or local government. An individual may also be eligible if that individual is a parent, spouse, or child of (1) an eligible individual who died from COVID-19, or (2) a member of the Armed Forces. Certain individuals shall be ineligible, such as an individual who was a refugee on January 1, 2023.
To obtain a green card under this bill, an applying individual must satisfy additional requirements, including by passing a background check.
Furthermore, the bill repeals provisions providing for three-year bars and permanent bars to admission into the United States. (Generally, these bars apply to individuals who were previously removed or unlawfully present.)
The bill also narrows the scope of certain crime-based grounds for inadmissibility or deportability, such as by redefining the term conviction to exclude expunged convictions.
The Department of Justice or DHS may waive certain grounds of inadmissibility or deportability (1) for humanitarian purposes, (2) to ensure family unity, or (3) for the public interest.
