Legis Daily

GRATEFUL Act

USA118th CongressS-1887| Senate 
| Updated: 6/8/2023
Chris Van Hollen

Chris Van Hollen

Democratic Senator

Maryland

Cosponsors (3)
Thomas Tillis (Republican)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Pete Ricketts (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Granting Recognition to Accomplished Talented Employees For Unwavering Loyalty Act or the GRATEFUL Act This bill makes additional visas available under a program that provides special immigrant visas to eligible foreign nationals who were employed by the U.S. government abroad. The bill also modifies a provision that reduces the number of diversity immigrant visas available each fiscal year. Generally, under this program, a foreign national (and their spouse and children) may receive a special immigrant visa if (1) the foreign national has been employed by the U.S. government abroad for at least 15 years, and (2) the Department of State has found that it is in the national interest to award the visa. There are a limited number of such visas available each fiscal year. Specifically, this bill makes additional special immigrant visas available if no visas are immediately available. Up to 3,500 additional visas shall be made available for FY2024, and up to 3,000 shall be made available in each subsequent fiscal year. The bill also modifies a provision related to the annual cap on diversity immigrant visas (i.e., visas awarded to nationals of countries with low rates of immigration to the United States). Current law reduces the number of such visas available each fiscal year based in part on the number of visas awarded under another program. Under this bill, the reduction in the number of diversity immigrant visas shall also take into consideration the number of special immigrant visas awarded under this bill.
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Timeline
Jun 8, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Jun 8, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Oct 25, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-5982
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • June 8, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 8, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • October 25, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-5982
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 118-2226: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
  • HR 118-5982: GRATEFUL Act

GRATEFUL Act

USA118th CongressS-1887| Senate 
| Updated: 6/8/2023
Granting Recognition to Accomplished Talented Employees For Unwavering Loyalty Act or the GRATEFUL Act This bill makes additional visas available under a program that provides special immigrant visas to eligible foreign nationals who were employed by the U.S. government abroad. The bill also modifies a provision that reduces the number of diversity immigrant visas available each fiscal year. Generally, under this program, a foreign national (and their spouse and children) may receive a special immigrant visa if (1) the foreign national has been employed by the U.S. government abroad for at least 15 years, and (2) the Department of State has found that it is in the national interest to award the visa. There are a limited number of such visas available each fiscal year. Specifically, this bill makes additional special immigrant visas available if no visas are immediately available. Up to 3,500 additional visas shall be made available for FY2024, and up to 3,000 shall be made available in each subsequent fiscal year. The bill also modifies a provision related to the annual cap on diversity immigrant visas (i.e., visas awarded to nationals of countries with low rates of immigration to the United States). Current law reduces the number of such visas available each fiscal year based in part on the number of visas awarded under another program. Under this bill, the reduction in the number of diversity immigrant visas shall also take into consideration the number of special immigrant visas awarded under this bill.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jun 8, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Jun 8, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Oct 25, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-5982
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • June 8, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 8, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • October 25, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-5982
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Chris Van Hollen

Chris Van Hollen

Democratic Senator

Maryland

Cosponsors (3)
Thomas Tillis (Republican)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Pete Ricketts (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 118-2226: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
  • HR 118-5982: GRATEFUL Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted