Immigration of Religious Workers: Background and Legislation (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Sept. 30, 2003 |
| Report Number |
RS21630 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Ruth Ellen Wasem, Domestic Social Policy Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
A provision in immigration law that allows for the admission of immigrants to perform religious
work is scheduled to sunset on September 30, 2003. Although the provision has a broad base of
support, some have expressed concern that the provision is vulnerable to fraud. The foreign religious
worker must be a member of a religious denomination that has a bona fide nonprofit,
religious
organization in the United States, and must have been in the religious vocation, professional work,
or other religious work continuously for at least 2 years. Bills ( H.R. 2152 / S. 1580 ) to extend the religious worker provision through September 30, 2008,
have been introduced in both chambers. The House passed H.R. 2152 on September 17,
2003. This report will be updated as legislative activity warrants.
