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American Families United Act

USA116th CongressHR-8708| House 
| Updated: 10/30/2020
Veronica Escobar

Veronica Escobar

Democratic Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (2)
Darren Soto (Democratic)Rob Woodall (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
American Families United Act This bill limits what constitutes a conviction for immigration purposes and contains other related provisions. (A conviction can in certain instances be grounds for denying an individual immigration benefits.) Under this bill, certain judgments of guilt, such as one that has been deferred, expunged, or invalidated, shall not be considered a conviction for immigration purposes. An order of probation without an entry of judgment shall also not count as a conviction. Similarly, a pardon shall render the underlying conviction null for immigration purposes. Furthermore, for immigration purposes, a term of imprisonment shall only include the actual period of incarceration ordered by a court. If a term of imprisonment is suspended for any length, the suspended time shall not be considered as part of the term of imprisonment. (An individual may be denied certain immigration benefits if the individual has been convicted for a crime with a certain term of imprisonment.) The bill also provides statutory authority for the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security to, in certain instances, exercise discretion when enforcing immigration laws, such as waiving one or more grounds of inadmissibility or declining to order an alien removed. Such discretion may only be exercised on a case-by-case basis for humanitarian purposes or to preserve family unity and is subject to other limitations.
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Timeline
Oct 30, 2020
Introduced in House
Oct 30, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • October 30, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • October 30, 2020
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Immigration

Administrative remediesBorder security and unlawful immigrationCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentDepartment of Homeland SecurityDepartment of JusticeFamily relationshipsImmigration status and proceduresJudicial procedure and administration

American Families United Act

USA116th CongressHR-8708| House 
| Updated: 10/30/2020
American Families United Act This bill limits what constitutes a conviction for immigration purposes and contains other related provisions. (A conviction can in certain instances be grounds for denying an individual immigration benefits.) Under this bill, certain judgments of guilt, such as one that has been deferred, expunged, or invalidated, shall not be considered a conviction for immigration purposes. An order of probation without an entry of judgment shall also not count as a conviction. Similarly, a pardon shall render the underlying conviction null for immigration purposes. Furthermore, for immigration purposes, a term of imprisonment shall only include the actual period of incarceration ordered by a court. If a term of imprisonment is suspended for any length, the suspended time shall not be considered as part of the term of imprisonment. (An individual may be denied certain immigration benefits if the individual has been convicted for a crime with a certain term of imprisonment.) The bill also provides statutory authority for the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security to, in certain instances, exercise discretion when enforcing immigration laws, such as waiving one or more grounds of inadmissibility or declining to order an alien removed. Such discretion may only be exercised on a case-by-case basis for humanitarian purposes or to preserve family unity and is subject to other limitations.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Oct 30, 2020
Introduced in House
Oct 30, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • October 30, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • October 30, 2020
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Veronica Escobar

Veronica Escobar

Democratic Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (2)
Darren Soto (Democratic)Rob Woodall (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesBorder security and unlawful immigrationCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentDepartment of Homeland SecurityDepartment of JusticeFamily relationshipsImmigration status and proceduresJudicial procedure and administration