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A bill to provide Nicaraguan political prisoners who arrived in the United States on February 9, 2023, and their immediate family members with certain benefits available to refugees.
2/7/2024, 9:23 AM
Summary of Bill S 2165
Specifically, the bill would grant these Nicaraguan political prisoners and their immediate family members access to benefits such as housing assistance, healthcare, and employment opportunities. It also aims to expedite the asylum process for these individuals, recognizing the urgency of their situation and the need for swift action to ensure their safety and well-being.
The bill has garnered bipartisan support in Congress, with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle recognizing the importance of providing assistance to those fleeing political persecution. Supporters of the bill argue that it is a moral imperative for the United States to offer support to those who have been unjustly targeted for their political beliefs and that providing these individuals with the necessary resources and assistance will help them rebuild their lives in safety and security. Overall, Bill 118 s 2165 represents a bipartisan effort to provide much-needed support to Nicaraguan political prisoners and their families as they seek refuge in the United States. By offering these individuals access to essential benefits and expediting the asylum process, the bill aims to uphold the values of compassion and justice that are central to the American identity.
Congressional Summary of S 2165
Nicaragua Political Prisoner Support Act
This bill provides various immigration-related benefits to certain Nicaraguan nationals who are in the United States as part of a political prisoner release.
Specifically, such individuals shall be eligible to receive (1) certain benefits that are available to admitted refugees, such as resettlement assistance; (2) certain assistance available to refugee children; and (3) a driver's license or identification card.
An eligible individual is a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) who (1) is a citizen or national of Nicaragua (or an individual with no nationality who had resided in Nicaragua), (2) arrived in the United States on February 9, 2023, as part of a political prisoner release, (3) received a two-year humanitarian parole from the U.S. government, and (4) has completed the relevant security and law enforcement background checks. The parent, spouse, or child of such an eligible individual shall also be eligible for benefits under this bill.
