Religious Workforce Protection Act
Religious Workforce Protection Act
Plain Language Summary
# Religious Workforce Protection Act Summary **What It Does:** This bill would allow the Department of Homeland Security to extend work visas for certain religious workers beyond the current five-year limit. Specifically, it would allow extensions while their applications to become permanent residents are being processed. The bill also gives these workers more flexibility to change employers during this waiting period, rather than being tied to a single sponsoring organization. **Who It Affects:** The bill targets religious workers—such as priests, monks, ministers, and other faith-based professionals—who are in the U.S.
on temporary visas and have applied for permanent residency. It also removes a penalty that previously required some workers who left the U.S. after their visa expired to spend a year abroad before returning. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Religious Workforce Protection ActThis bill allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to extend the nonimmigrant visa status of certain religious workers.Under current law, if specified conditions are met, nonimmigrant religious workers may receive a visa for a period not to exceed five years. The bill allows DHS to grant an extension until the individual’s application for adjustment of status to permanent resident or an immigrant visa has been processed and a decision has been made. To be eligible for the extension, the individual must be (1) the beneficiary of a certain type of immigrant petition, and (2) eligible for such immigrant status absent the application of certain numerical limitations.Such individuals who have pending adjustment of status applications are also granted certain job flexibilities, such as the ability to change employers. Individuals who have previously departed the U.S. due to the expiration of their visa are exempt from the one-year foreign residence requirement to renew their visa.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.