Bill Sponsor
House Bill 1909
117th Congress(2021-2022)
Citizenship for Essential Workers Act
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in House on Mar 16, 2021
Overview
Text
Introduced
Mar 16, 2021
Latest Action
May 18, 2021
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
1909
Congress
117
Policy Area
Immigration
Immigration
Primary focus of measure is administration of immigration and naturalization matters; immigration enforcement procedures; refugees and asylum policies; travel and residence documentation; foreign labor; benefits for immigrants. Measures concerning smuggling and trafficking of persons may fall under Crime and Law Enforcement policy area. Measures concerning refugees may fall under International Affairs policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Texas
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California
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California
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California
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California
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California
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California
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California
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California
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California
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Colorado
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Colorado
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Connecticut
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District of Columbia
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Illinois
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Illinois
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Kentucky
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Maryland
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Massachusetts
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Massachusetts
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Minnesota
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New Jersey
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New York
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North Carolina
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Pennsylvania
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Rhode Island
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Washington
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Washington
House Votes (0)
Senate Votes (0)
No House votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Citizenship for Essential Workers Act

This bill establishes a mechanism for eligible aliens who worked as essential workers during the declared COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency to apply for and obtain permanent resident status. The bill also narrows certain grounds for deportability and inadmissibility.

To be eligible for permanent resident status under this bill, an alien 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 alien may also be eligible if that alien is a parent, spouse, or child of (1) an eligible alien who died from COVID-19, or (2) a member of the Armed Forces. Certain aliens shall be ineligible, such as an alien who was a refugee on January 1, 2021.

To obtain permanent resident status under this bill, an applying alien 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 aliens who were previously removed or unlawfully present in the United States.)

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.

Text (1)
March 16, 2021
Actions (3)
05/18/2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
03/16/2021
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
03/16/2021
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:48:14 PM