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Senate Bill 2478
116th Congress(2019-2020)
Bahamas Temporary Protected Status Act of 2019
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Sep 12, 2019
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Introduced in Senate 
Sep 12, 2019
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Introduced in Senate(Sep 12, 2019)
Sep 12, 2019
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S. 2478 (Introduced-in-Senate)


116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2478


To designate the Bahamas under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide temporary protected status under such section to eligible nationals of the Bahamas.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 12, 2019

Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Booker, Mr. Markey, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Brown, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. Warren, Ms. Harris, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Jones, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Klobuchar, and Mr. Cardin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To designate the Bahamas under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide temporary protected status under such section to eligible nationals of the Bahamas.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Bahamas Temporary Protected Status Act of 2019”.

SEC. 2. Findings.

Congress makes the following findings:

(1) On September 1, 2019, Hurricane Dorian made landfall in the Bahamas as a category 5 hurricane with sustained winds over 180 miles per hour.

(2) Between September 1, 2019, and Sep­tem­ber 3, 2019, the islands of the Bahamas and the Bahamian people were subjected to hurricane-force winds, heavy rains, and extensive flooding that destroyed critical infrastructure, decimated houses and property, and claimed the lives of at least 50 individuals.

(3) The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies stated that more than 60,000 individuals in the Bahamas lack access to clean drinking water as a result of the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian.

(4) The World Food Programme indicates that more than 60,000 individuals in the Bahamas will require food relief as a result of the destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian.

(5) The Secretary of Homeland Security may, under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a), designate a foreign state that has experienced an environmental disaster so as to provide temporary protected status in the United States to eligible nationals of such foreign state who cannot return safely to their homeland.

SEC. 3. Designation for purposes of granting temporary protected status.

(a) Designation.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a), the Bahamas shall be treated as if it had been designated under subsection (b)(1)(B) of that section, subject to the provisions of this section.

(2) PERIOD OF DESIGNATION.—The initial period of the designation referred to in paragraph (1) shall be for the 18-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

(b) Aliens eligible.—As a result of the designation made under subsection (a), an alien who is a national of the Bahamas is considered to satisfy the requirements under paragraph (1) of section 244(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)), subject to paragraph (3) of such section, if the alien—

(1) has been continuously physically present in the United States since the date of the enactment of this Act;

(2) is admissible as an immigrant, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2)(A) of such section, and is not ineligible for temporary protected status under paragraph (2)(B) of such section; and

(3) registers for temporary protected status in a manner established by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

(c) Consent To travel abroad.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall give prior consent to travel abroad, in accordance with section 244(f)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a(f)(3)), to an alien who is granted temporary protected status pursuant to the designation made under subsection (a) if the alien establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Homeland Security that emergency and extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the alien require the alien to depart for a brief, temporary trip abroad.

(2) TREATMENT UPON RETURN.—An alien returning to the United States in accordance with an authorization described in paragraph (1) shall be treated as any other returning alien provided temporary protected status under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a).