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Citizenship for Essential Workers Act
1/5/2024, 4:00 PM
Summary of Bill S 1392
Essential workers, such as healthcare workers, grocery store employees, delivery drivers, and others, have been on the front lines of the pandemic, risking their own health and safety to ensure that essential services continue to be provided to the American people. Despite their important contributions, many essential workers are undocumented immigrants who do not have a clear path to citizenship.
The Citizenship for Essential Workers Act seeks to address this issue by creating a special pathway to citizenship for essential workers who have been in the country for a certain period of time and meet certain criteria. This would allow these individuals to become lawful permanent residents and eventually apply for citizenship, giving them the security and stability that comes with being a legal resident of the United States. Supporters of the bill argue that essential workers have been essential to the functioning of society during the pandemic and deserve to be recognized and rewarded for their contributions. They also argue that providing a pathway to citizenship for essential workers will help strengthen communities and the economy by allowing these individuals to fully participate in society. Opponents of the bill may argue that providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants could encourage illegal immigration and undermine the rule of law. They may also argue that the bill could have negative economic impacts by increasing competition for jobs and resources. Overall, the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act is a proposed piece of legislation that aims to recognize the contributions of essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide them with a pathway to citizenship. It is currently being debated in Congress, and its ultimate fate remains uncertain.
Congressional Summary of S 1392
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.
