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A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, to increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressS-281| Senate 
| Updated: 2/2/2017
Mike Lee

Mike Lee

Republican Senator

Utah

Cosponsors (20)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Jerry Moran (Republican)Jeff Flake (Republican)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Thomas R. Carper (Democratic)Tom Cotton (Republican)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Heidi Heitkamp (Democratic)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Rand Paul (Republican)Roy Blunt (Republican)James Lankford (Republican)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Cory Gardner (Republican)Rob Portman (Republican)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) eliminate the per country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, and (2) increase the per country numerical limitation for family based immigrants from 7% to 15% of the total number of family-sponsored visas. The Chinese Student Protection Act of 1992 is amended to eliminate the provision requiring the reduction of annual Chinese immigrant visas to offset status adjustments under such Act. The bill establishes the following transition period for employment-based second and third preference (EB-2 and EB-3) immigrant visas: for FY2017, 15% of such visas allotted to natives of countries other than the two countries with the largest aggregate numbers of natives obtaining such visas in FY2011; for FY2018, 10% of such visas allotted in each category to natives of countries other than the two with the largest aggregate numbers of natives obtaining such visas in FY2012; and for FY2019, 10% of such visas allotted in each category to natives of countries other than the two with the largest aggregate numbers of natives obtaining such visas in FY2015. The bill sets forth the following per country distribution rules: (1) for transition period visas, not more than 25% of the total number of EB-2 and EB-3 visas for natives of a single country; and (2) for non-transition period visas, not more than 85% of EB-2 and EB-3 visas for natives of a single country. Amendments made by this bill shall take place as if enacted on September 30, 2016, and shall apply beginning in FY2017.
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Timeline
Feb 2, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Feb 2, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 11, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-392
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Yoder asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 392, a bill originally introduced by Representative Chaffetz, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
  • February 2, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 2, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • July 11, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-392
    ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Yoder asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 392, a bill originally introduced by Representative Chaffetz, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 115-1877: A bill to jump-start economic recovery through the formation and growth of new businesses, and for other purposes.
  • HR 115-392: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, to increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants, and for other purposes.
Foreign laborImmigration status and proceduresVisas and passports

A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, to increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants, and for other purposes.

USA115th CongressS-281| Senate 
| Updated: 2/2/2017
Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) eliminate the per country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, and (2) increase the per country numerical limitation for family based immigrants from 7% to 15% of the total number of family-sponsored visas. The Chinese Student Protection Act of 1992 is amended to eliminate the provision requiring the reduction of annual Chinese immigrant visas to offset status adjustments under such Act. The bill establishes the following transition period for employment-based second and third preference (EB-2 and EB-3) immigrant visas: for FY2017, 15% of such visas allotted to natives of countries other than the two countries with the largest aggregate numbers of natives obtaining such visas in FY2011; for FY2018, 10% of such visas allotted in each category to natives of countries other than the two with the largest aggregate numbers of natives obtaining such visas in FY2012; and for FY2019, 10% of such visas allotted in each category to natives of countries other than the two with the largest aggregate numbers of natives obtaining such visas in FY2015. The bill sets forth the following per country distribution rules: (1) for transition period visas, not more than 25% of the total number of EB-2 and EB-3 visas for natives of a single country; and (2) for non-transition period visas, not more than 85% of EB-2 and EB-3 visas for natives of a single country. Amendments made by this bill shall take place as if enacted on September 30, 2016, and shall apply beginning in FY2017.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
Feb 2, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Feb 2, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 11, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-392
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Yoder asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 392, a bill originally introduced by Representative Chaffetz, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
  • February 2, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 2, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • July 11, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-392
    ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Yoder asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 392, a bill originally introduced by Representative Chaffetz, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
Mike Lee

Mike Lee

Republican Senator

Utah

Cosponsors (20)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Jerry Moran (Republican)Jeff Flake (Republican)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Thomas R. Carper (Democratic)Tom Cotton (Republican)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Heidi Heitkamp (Democratic)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Rand Paul (Republican)Roy Blunt (Republican)James Lankford (Republican)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Cory Gardner (Republican)Rob Portman (Republican)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 115-1877: A bill to jump-start economic recovery through the formation and growth of new businesses, and for other purposes.
  • HR 115-392: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, to increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Foreign laborImmigration status and proceduresVisas and passports